Year: 1876

explanation OF the Amendmenus.


The adoption of the pending amendments
to the State constitution is of more real i'm
portance than the choice of Governor, and
we take this occasion to explain their scope
and nature. These amendments are two in
number and will be voted on separately.
One Of the two relates to the management OF
the canals, the other to the management Of
the State prisons. A large proportion OF the
corruption in our State government has had
its seat either in the administration of the
canals or the prisons, but altogether more IN
the former than in the latter. because so
much moro money is expended son the
canals The corruption in canal manage
ment has long been well known to citizens
who keep close watch of the State govern
ment, and Governor Tilden has made it con-
spicuous by his aggressive war on the Canal
Ring. This corruption has grown out Of
bad organization of the Canal Department,
which worked tolerably we'll half a century
ago, but has produced nothing but
corruption for the last twenty years. Ever
since the origin of our canal system we have





the people and removable only by the slow
and doubtful method of impeachment
These Commissioners, chosen by the people
for three years, have always had the admin
istration of the canals. 1t is proposed by
one of the pending amendments to abolish
this office and to concentrate responsibility
by substituting for them single officer, to
be called the Superintendent of Public
Works. This officer is not to be virtually
chosen by party convention, like the pres
ent Canal Commissioners, but to be ap-
pointed by the Governor, with the consent
of the Senate. Instead of being, like the
Canal Commissioners. irremovable except by
the dilatory process of impeachment, in
which he would be protected by accomplices
in both branches of the Legislature, the
proposed Superintendent of Public Works
can be dismissed at any moment
by the mere action of the Gov
ernor. At present the Governor has
not the slightest control over the ad-
ministration of the canals, but if this
amendment is adopted the whole response
bility for their honest management will be
concentrated in the Governor of the State
There will be wholesome check on his
power of appointment, but no check what
ever on his power Of removal beyond an OBJ
legation to file his reasons with the Secre-
tary of State The Office of Superintendent
of Public Works will terminate with that of
the Governor who appoints him, every sue
cessive Governor having the selection of the
officer, for whose conduct he will be respon-
no corruption in the management Of the
canals, SO long as the Governor is vigilant
and efficient. The moment a suspicion
arises that the canals are not faithfully adj
ministered the Governor will be able to call
the Superintendent to prompt account and
his conduct 1t is the unanimous opin-
ion of men of both parties who
have had experience in State affairs
that the canal amendment which is
to be submitted to the vote of the people
next Tuesday is the best scheme of reform
which has ever been devised in connection
with our great system of public works. 1t
is so obviously and unanswerably sound
that neither political party hos any thought
of opposing it. 1t is exposed to no other
danger than that of neglect in the heat Of
Presidential canvass If it fails it will not
be from opposition, but from oversight or
apathy; and we therefore press it upon the
attention of voters as one of the important
things which they must not neglect.


The amendment relating to tho manage
ment of prisons is of the same general tenor.
1t substitutes for the three State Prison In
spectors one Superintendent of State Pris-
ons. appointed by the Governor and Senate,
and removable by the Governor alone. The
adoption of this excellent amendment will
not only insure honesty in the administra-
ton of the State prisons, but will facilitate
the reforms in prison discipline in which
many enlightened and philanthropic citizens
take SO deep an interest.