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The New York Convention

The New York Convention image
Parent Issue
Day
31
Month
October
Year
1846
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

The New Constitution provides that laws may bc passed depriving of suffrage any person who shall make or becomo directly or individually nterested in any bet or wagcr upon the rcsult of any elcction, from voting at that election. There shall be thirty two Senators each elected by single district, holding office two years ; and 228 members of Assembly, to be elected annually, by single districts. We should be in favor of a Senate somewhat larger - say 50 members. Large bodies are less subject to local and selfish influcnces. An enumeration of the inhabitants to be made in 1855, and every ten years afier, and ihe dislricts to be proportioned thereto. The members of the legislatura are to receive not more than $3 a day, but not to exceed in the „aggregate $300 a session. Also$l,00 for every 10 miles travel, goingand returning on the most usual route. The Speaker to receive one third more peí diem than thebers. No bilí shall be passed, unless ly the assent of a majarity of all the mcmhers elected lo each hranch of he Lcgislaíure. It strikes us that in such large bocfies, a provisión ofthis kind wil] of itself defeat vcry many bilis. However, the rule is a good one. We apprehend its efl'ect will be to diminish materially tbe number ofacfs passcd. No private or local bilí shall embrace more than one subject, and that shall be expressed in its title. The Governor to hold his office two }-ears. lie may grant reprieveo, commútations, and pardons. He must be 30 years of age and a citizen of the United States.The Secretary of State, Comptroller, Treasurer, and Attorney General to be elected every two years. Also a Stato Engineer and Surveyor. Thrce Inspectora of State prison to be elected lor three years,one to go out every year. All offices for the weighing, guaging, measjiring, culling or inspecting any merchandize, produce, manufacture or commodity, are hereby abolished, and no such office shall hercaftcr be creatcd hulaw. This is a sweeping clause, and a great jireparatory step towards giving to trade and commerce juist that degree of regulation and protection which they need from the law - Uiting tliem alone. A Court of Appeals, to be constituied with eight Judges, four elected by the pcople for eight ycars, and four selected from the class of Judges of Supreme Court, so that one shall be selected ever two years. The Supreme Court shall have general jurisdiction in law and equity. There shall be eight judicial districts, with four Judges of the Supreme Court ineach. The testimony in equity cases shall bo taken in likc marmer as in cases at law. Any male citizen of the age of 21 years, of good moral character, and who possesses the requisite qualifications of learning andability, shall be entitled to admission to practice in all the courts of this State. It is wonderful the Convention did not insert the word "white" before citizen ! Can it be that the members, one half of whom wcre rich, veteran lawyers, would allow a negro to practice law ? - What a departure from the ancient dignity of the profession !lhe jusüces of the Supreme Court shall be electcd by the voters of the seyeral judicial districts. Here is another surprizing innovation on the ancient usnges of the law ! All vacancies are to. be filled by the Governor. One County Judre to be elocted in eaclvCounty, to perform the duties of surrogate : the County Court to have such jurisdiction of cases arising in justice' courts as the Legislaturo may direct. The County Judge to receive such salary as the Board of Supervisors shall allow ,- and may have equity jurisdiction conferred on him in special cases by the Legislature.