New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-11
CONVENTION
ADOPTS NEW
CONSTITUTION
Tammany Men Fail to
Hold 1t Up-Will Be Sub
mitted in Three Parts.
ROOT ASKS PEOPLE
TO GIVE 1T TRIAL
Says II Will Remedy Existing
Evils of Invisible Govern
ment" and "Heelers."

From star CORES spondcnt Of Tie Tribune.
Albany, Sept. 10. After adopting the
new revised Constitution, which is to
be submitted to the people in three
sections, by a vote of 11S to 33, the
Constitutional Convention adjourned
sine die at 6 o'clock tonight
The taxation and he reapportion-
ment measures will be submitted sepa-
rately, because it is feared their inclu-
sion would defeat the whole Constitu-
tion.
To carry out the legislative pro-
gramme necessary to make the work of
the convention complete the delegates
point a committee of thirty members
of the convention to act in an advisory
capacity to the next Legislature.
The convention also adopted an ad-
dress TO the people of the state, pre-
pared by special committee, of which
George W. Wickersham, floor leader,
was chairman.
The same small group of reaction
aries tried 10 block the last days work
of the convention, as IL has tried to
block il during the last six months. The
regulars of Tamma:v Hall to a man
voted against the adoption of the pro-
posed organic law. William Barnes and
Senator James A. Foley first voted
against the Constitution. Mr.. Barnes
changed his vote before the rollcall was
completed, saying he did so because,
by voting for the Constitution, he was
merely sending it out to the people.
Senator Foley then followed suit.
The last fifteen minutes of the con-
vention were taken up by a speech in
defence of its work by Elihu Root. He
said the proposed Constitution would
remedy the existing evils of invisible
government"
I'VE found when we came here" said
Senator Root. that there were serious
evils which had resulted in ever-in-
creasing expenditure and indebtedness
and an apparent impossibiity to cur
tail expenses or prevent increase of
debt We found the executive and ad-
ministrative organization of the state
loose, confused and ill-regulated, with
150 or more separate agencies going
about. the business of government, re-
sponsible to no one in particular and
running the people into extravaganza
and debt.
I'VE found the legislators occupying
themselves chiefly with promoting pri-
vate and local bills, for private and
special interests. on which their re-
election depended and for which they
came 10 Albany. This made them
towards and demoralized the whole
body. We found the course of justice
slow and hindered by technicalities
which kept honest men out of their
Just dues. We found Offices filled with
organization heelers. We have done our
best to devise remedies and to relieve
these conditions.
1--WE were sent here by the people to
overhaul the machinery of state gov
eminent and to find what the fault
was from which they have suffered.
We have done the best we could, given
the best of our brains and our strength
and devotion in the accomplishment
of our duty. We say to the people of
this state, AS we have given you loyal
and devoted service, doing our best to
the best of our ability, be loyal to us
and give at least the presumption in
favor Of the work we have done. II it
is wrong, reject it, but do not reject
il on light or i'll considered reasons '"
Mr.. Root said the convention had
risen above the plane of partisan poll
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