The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-28
SEABURY ATTACKS
NEW CONSTITUTION
Appeals Judge Calls Conven-
ton and Its Product
"ReactiOnary."
FOR N SUFFRAGE

III the opinion Of Judge Samuel Sea
bury Of the Court Of Appeals. an inde-
pendent Democrat. the Constitutional
Convention was "r~eao;lonary" in person.
mel and product. He will vote against
the Constitution and the apportionment
and taxation amendments. and will vote
for woman suffrage. he announced Last
night. In q letter to Rabbi Stephen 8.
Wise, who asked for his Views. Judge
Seabury says:
THE convention was controlled by a
small coterie Of corporation lawyers
from both the great political parties.
They did their work under the leadership
Of Mr.. Eiihu Root. The ability Of the
gentlemen who controlled its action -
unquestioned. but personally ! feel that
they represent reaction rather than
progress.
THE convention showed no apprecia-
ton Of the needs OF the State nc states
menllke grasp OF the great problems de-
manding solution. II resembled a meet
ing Of a committee Of a bar association
where n few corporation lawyers, CARRIED
in the livery Of special privilege. gather
together in mutual admiration OF one
another's ability and discuss matters OF
a purely professional nature affecting
the interests of their prosperous and
| monopolistic clients. The beneficial
| changes made In the proposed Consti.
| tuition are so few as to make the work
| Of the convention as a whole not worth
while.
zone Is led to wonder what tho real
reason was for providing that persons
indicted for the commission of n felony
punishable by Imprisonment for not morc
than Ave years should be permitted 10
waive a jury trial and be tried by u
| single Judge. The reason assigned for
this provision is that II would facilitate
the administration OF Justice. 1t Is a
fair subject for inquiry whether II was
not inserted 80 as to permit influential
and powerful persons who might be
charged with a crime to dispense with a
Jury trial and be tried by a single Judge
l do know that II In an exceedingly dan
gerous provision n a seriously Inn
pair the efficacy OF trial by jury.
THE judiciary article In which the
little coterie of corporation lawyers
which dominated the convention have
shown such an acute and lively Interest
IL Inadequate to correct the evils OF the
present system. This subject has beer
approached from the wrong end. What
Is needed IL TO increase the power anc
dignity of the courts OF first instance and
to see to II that decisions of the Tha
Judges and verdicts of the juries. wher
in accord with Justice, shout be per
mitted to stand in a greater number Of
cases than at present.
The claim that the proposed Conkti'
tuition establishes an efficient and re-
sponsible government Ia II mere pretenct
which Is utterly unwarranted Instead
Of devising a system of government
where the responsibility is direct IL has
devised a complicated system under
which responsibility Is divide between
the Governor. Legislature and numerous
commissions
On the other hand Paul Fuller. law
yer, recently President Wilson's ervo,
to Mexico. now IA trustee Of Hunter Col
lexe. said yesterday:
Let VIZ gladly accept tho excellen
changes secured by this proposed Con
~stitution, n with time and patienc,
work for other amendments which ar,
always in reach of the people II the!
really desire them"