New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-30

Elihu Root and William Barnes last
tall and exacted pledges from them
mat they would do all In their power
TO prevent the convention from tamper-
ing with the suffrage article. The
woman sufragists have been advised
OF the situation now existing. and
Mrs. Blatch. Miss Alberta NJ. Hill and
other leaders in the movement will be
here next Tuesday. when the conven-
ton meets again.
The question of legislative reform
has suddenly doomed large in the in
formal discussions Of the leaders OF
the convention. All believe that there
is need Of legislative reform, but the
shape II shall take has not yet been
decided on. To-day again there were
proposed amendments introduced pro
viding for biennial sessions Of the
Legislature, four-year terms for SEN
ators and two-year terms for Assem-
blymen. This was reform proposed
AZ the last convention, but il was
beaten by the united efforts of the
politicians.
II can be said authoritatlvely that
the convention will submit TO the peo.
pie an amendment providing for home
rule in cities. towns and villages, at
least TO the extent Of allowing these
subdivisions of the state 10 fix the
salaries of their employees.
Many members Of the convention
believe that the suggestion Of Elihu
Root. made 10 the Republican Senators
at their dinner in his honor here re-
Gently. that the Legislature devote
itself TO the big problems only. leaving
10 the localities the settling OF their
own affairs, instead Of running to the
Legislature with them, ought TO be en-
acted into law. But this reform Will
meet with the strenuous opposition OF
the rural legislators. who are strongly
represented in the convention:
The enactment into law OF this re
form would end the annual pork bar
rel. and therefore in the reasoning of
the pork barrelites the reform must
be beaten.
William NJ. Mckinney. author and
editor Of law books. introduced pro-
posed amendment to-day to abolish the
Assembly and providing for unicam-
cral legislature, composed of sixty
Senators. chosen for four-year terms
to receive $4,000 annually.
Jacob Bremen introduced proposed
amendment providing that in civil
cases jurors shall be six in number
instead Of the common law jury OF
twelve Along the same lines William
r. Bayes proposed giving TO the Legis-
lature power TO say whether juries IN
criminal and civil cases shall consist
of any number from six 20 twelve.
Ray B. Smith introduced a proposed
amendment providing for court OF
claims 10 consist of three members. as
at present, to be elected for nine-year
terms, to be chosen at the election pre-
ceding the expiration of the terms of
the actual members.
A proposed amendment by Thomas A
Kirby would make sheriffs eligible for
reelection.
II is hoped that by Tuesday next
when the convention reassembles. the
organization OF the various committees
will be completed, and that the ses-
sions will proceed regularly on four
days a week. from Tuesday noon TO
Friday evening.
In anticipation of rush Of demands
the Cities Committee, decided to-day
to hold sessions on Tuesday and
Thursday at 2:30 y. m, which will he
open to all cities. The proposal to set
aside Tuesday for New York City hear
ings only was abandoned. Hearings
will be granted only on proposed
amendments which have been intro
duced. George w. Wickersham, chair
man of the Judiciary Committee, an
nounced hearings on al! Tuesdays and
Thursdays at D. m.
OF the many proposed amendments
offered thus far none has a committee
endorsements The committees will be-
gin early next week TO whip their prop
ositions into form.