The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-21
THE NEW CONSTITUTION.
Discussed rs to Its General Aspec
by Mr.. Wickersham.

by Mr.. Wickersham.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir:
There is one prime consideration
which should predispose everybody to
q favorable consideration of the new
constitution adopted by the delegates
In Albany on September 10, 1915.
It is not the work of mere politi-
cal partisanship. II embodies thirty
three proposed amendments to the
existing Constitution, thirty-two of
which received the votes not only of
q majority OF the members of the
political party in control OF the con-
vention. the Republican party, but,
as well, of a majority OF the Democrats
voting. This was a fitting result of
the spirit which pervaded the
ton from the outset. OF the l6s dele
gates 1l6 were Republican and fifty
W Democratic. A Democrat, the Hon.
Morgan J. O'Brien, was, by Republican
votes, elected second vice-president OF
the convention; three of the seven
members of the rules committee APP
pointed by President Root were Demo-
Gratis, and a fair representation was
given to members OF the minority
party on all important committees.
Early in the session an effort on the
part Of some Of the Republican dele
gates to inject . partisan issue into
the deliberations OF the convention by
committing II TO the work OF the re-
apportionment Of the Senate and AS
sembly districts was successfully re-
sisted, and after a debate, in which
opportunity was furnished for a full
exchange OF views on the subject. a
resolution was adopted on July l not to
change the rules governing apportion-
ment laid down in the present Consti-
tuition. a decision on the part of Sem
ator Root and other leaders OF the
convention not to take up the ques-
ton of reapportionment, but TO leave
II to the Legislature, under the pro-
visions OF the existing Constitution
was steadfastly maintained against
the insistence Of a number OF dele
gates who thought.a Republican party
advantage might be secured by hav-
ing the convention make the reappor-
tionment. II was the opinion OF a
large number of the delegates OF both
parties that the elimination Of the
question OF apportiopment would make
It possible to consider all other ques-
tions which might arise on their mer-
its, free from political craftsmanship
The result justified that opinion. The
great questions OF the reorganization
of the State executive government, re.
form in the method of providing for
the financial needs of the State, legis.
lative powers and methods of pro.
cedure, home rule for cities and
counties. reform in judicial procedur,
and in the organization and jurisdic,
ton of the courts. besides many ques,
lions of less importance, were debated
and decided without division on part,
lines. When the session was drawinl
to a close ex-senator Edgar r. Bracket
uttered this protest:
The great Republican party, with NOR
than forty majority In this convention, sen
here by ~people-the delegates Of the grea
Republican party sent here by peopl
that expected that the convention wOul
do something TO continue the forces o
good government by helping the Republl
can party. have deliberately surrendere
their opportunity here and passed IN
State over to the control Of New Yorl
city and Tammany Hall, Don't let u
have any misunderstanding about It. sen
here for the very purpose among othe
things, OF doing good TO the people O
the state by preventing the greater cit
from controlling the state, sent here fo
the purpose of doing whatever II proper
could to maintain continuous Republica
supremacy and thereby good government
In the State; the influences that contro
this convention have deliberately decline
a provision which would have p~rotecte
the Republican party In the State, an
good government In the state, and hav
permitted a provision TO remain in her
which inside OF tho next three or fnu
wears will give the Democrats Of the stat
and Tammany Hall the control Of the Leg
i~s,ature OF the state through the control o
the Senate.
The influences that controlled tn
convention had a higher idea of thci
commission from the people thar
merely the adoption OF provisions con
tinuing Republican supremacy in tn
State. Their views were more in ac
cord with those OF the Secretary O
State, Mr.. Hugo, as expressed in hi
opening address to the conventior
hen he said: "Gertlemen OF tn
convention, 1t is your high privilege t
interpret the spirit, experience, hope
and aspirations OF eleven millions q
people and 10 write that interpretatlo
into n proposed constitution which
II adopted by the people of the Stat,