Year: 1873

THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
ACTION OF THE ASSEMBLY UPON TIIEM-ADoPTTON
OF THE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION WITH A SINGLE
cHANGR-THE AMENDMENTS CONTAINED IN THE


RFsoLUToN-THE SENATE JOBBERs' SCHEME
VOTED DowN-PoINTs OF DISAGREEMENT BE-
TWEEN THE TWO HOUSES.


rFRoM TUE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THB rRBUNEl


ALBANY, May 22.-The net result of four
hours session of the Assembly beginning at 10 O'Clock
this morning. is the adoption of the resolu
tioDs submitting amendments to Articles H. w. VII,
and VIII. Of the Constitution. Only change was
made In these resolutions from the shape in which they
passed the Senate that being the addition OF the Black
River Canal 10 those which the State must neither SELL
lease otherwise dispose Of The amendments pro
posed by the resolutions to Article H. relate
TO bribery at elections That to Article VI provides
that judicial officers OF courts, not OF record in the
several cities OF the state, having population Of not
less than 100000 shall be appointed by the Governor
with the consent OF the Senate FOR term OF four years
and shall be subject removal after due notice and an
opportunity OF being heard by such courts as may be
prescribed by law for TO be assigned In the order
Of removal"


II Article VII is amended as proposed the State may
sell several OF the lateral canals which may In time be
worth something as pasture land The article also
requires the canal tolls be fixed 10 pay the ex
pendtures for collection OF tolls supeTintendence, and
ordinary and extraordinary repairs. Section Is OF the
same article provides that the sinking funds instituted
TO meet the Indebtedness Of the State shall be sep
arately kept and safely invested, and neither OF
them shall be appropriated or used in any manner
other than for specific purpose for which II shall
have been provided" The changes proposed in Article
VIII. require uniform charters by general law for
savings banks and make it unconstitutional for coun-
ties cities towns or villages loan their credit in aid
Of a-y individual association. corporation or become
the owners Of stock In any corporation.


The Assembly had an afternoon session from 4 70 6
o'clock and evening session from 73O to 1880, during
which time they succeeded ia struggling through the


ainder Of the amendments except those 10 Article H.
which relates 70 the organization powers and restrc-
tions the legislature The senate scheme for Senate
be elected by judicial districts voted down. there
being only voices in ITS favor OF which was that
Of young Mr.. Opdyke. There are now several points
Of disagreement between the Senate and Assembly.
which viii be necessary settle by Conference Com
mittee These relate to the important question of the
constitution Of the Senate and 10 the Secretary Of state
whether be shall be elected by the people or appointed
by the Governor the salary Of members OF the Legs
ature whether it shall be $1,000 $780, 70 me salaries
OF the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Controller
and other State officers whether they shall be fixed by
the Constitution as recommended by the Commission or
made subject the action OF the Legislature, and 10
few others point Of minor importance.


In general the action OF the Assembly has been moro
II accordance with public sentiment than that Of the
Senate and the best thing the latter body can do 10
recede from position where there any disagree
ments Soon after tie beginning Of the evening session
the Assembly gave signs that the discussion Of constitu-
tOnal questions tedious business and such was the
subsequent disorder that spectator would have sup
posed celebrating the veto Of the local
option bill. Very little speeehmaking was permitted,
and subjects which ordinarily would have amused the
solous for whole day disposed Of without any
talk. The legislative article viii be taken up and
hnished tomorrow morning.