duty towards a large body of our fellow citizens to make known their qualifications to vote and to facilitate their coming personally to the polls on election days. I hope, Mr. President, that this amendment will prevail. Mr. C. Nicoll - Mr. President. The President Mr. C. Nicoll The President Mr. C. Nicoll. Will the gentleman yield for a question? Will the gentleman yield to Mr. Nicoll for a question? Mr. Wickersham - Yes. Mr. C. Nicoll What is there to prevent the Legislature from passing such a law to-day? Mr. Wickersham Well, I presume the provisions of section Mr. Lincoln Mr. President. The President Mr. Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln Will you yield for an answer, Mr. Wickersham? Mr. Lincoln - It seems to be the impression, Mr. Nicoll, that the present requirement that a voter shall have resided in his election district for thirty days has heretofore prevented the Legislature from enacting laws permitting registration prior to that time. The President - Is the Convention ready for the question upon the resolution ? Mr. J. G. Saxe - Mr. President. The President - Mr. Saxe. Mr. J. G. Saxe - I would like to ask Mr. Lincoln if he will accept one very small amendment to his amendment? The Committee on Revision has reported No. 804, which is now on third reading, and in so doing, it reported a single amendment. Now the very last word of this proposed amendment, the word "voters" should be changed to "electors", and if Mr. Lincoln's motion should prevail, and this bill should go to the Committee on Revision. it would probably be amended by putting in the word "electors". Mr. Lincoln - What line is that? Mr. J. G. Saxe - The last word of your proposed amendment. It should be "electors" instead of "voters". Mr. Wickersham Mr. President, will the gentleman yield for a suggestion? Mr. J. G. Saxe - Yes. Mr. Wickersham - Section 4 of Article II of the Constitution provides Mr. Lincoln - Mr. President, of course The President There are too many delegates talking at once. Mr. Saxe has the floor. Mr. Lincoln - Mr. President. Mr. J. G. Saxe - I was asking Mr. Lincoln a question. Mr. Lincoln - Mr. President, I would like to answer the question asked by Mr. Saxe. Of course, the word mentioned by Senator Saxe was a part of the original Constitution and is not a part of my amendment. Mr. J. G. Saxe - The word "electors " Mr. Lincoln - I have no objection to the word, but I would say that that is no part of that portion of the bill which I prepared Mr. J. G. Saxe - I am pointing out to Mr. Lincoln that Mr. Rodenbeck from the Committee on Revision has so changed that word in the bill I referred to and which is now on third reading. Mr. Lincoln - Mr. President, it is entirely satisfactory so far as I am con cerned. Mr. J. G. Saxe - Mr. President, I understand that Mr. Lincoln has amended his amendment so that the last word shall read "electors" instead of "voters". Mr. Lincoln - Mr. President, for the purpose of clarifying this situation I amend my proposal to include the word "electors" on line 18, and strike out the word "voters," in the same line. The President - Is the Convention ready for the question? The question is on the motion to discharge the Committee on Revision from further consideration of print No. 804, recommit to Committee of the Whole, with instructions to report forthwith, and to amend as indicated. All those in favor of 'the motion say Aye, contrary No. The resolution is agreed to. The Clerk will proceed with the call of the districts. Mr. Clinton - Mr. President. The President - Mr. Clinton. Mr. Clinton - I desire to make a motion to discharge the Committee on Revision from the consideration of the proposed canal amendment, and that it be reprinted and recommitted to the Committee on Revision. The reason is that on consultation The President - There is so much confusion in the Chamber that it is im'possible to hear. Great events are pending and in a little while the delegates will be inquiring what has happened. If Mr. Clinton will be good enough to continue. Mr. Clinton - The object of this motion is simply this: After consultation with the Chairman of the Committee on Revision it appeared that certain amendments were needed to clarify the language and prevent misconstruction. It was thought that it would be beyond the power of the Committee on Revision to make such changes. That is the only object. The President - The Secretary will read the proposed amendment. The Secretary - By Mr. Clinton: Resolved, That the Committee on Revision be discharged from the consideration of proposed amendment, print No. 839, that the bill be amended as follows, reprinted and recommitted to the Committee on Revision: Lines 7 and 8, page 3, strike out the words "which shall cease to be a portion of the canal system of this State as above defined ". Line 24, page 3, strike out the word "any" and insert in place the words the Black River". Page 3, strike out lines 19, 20 and 21, and the words " of dams, reservoirs or other structures", and insert in place thereof "The leasing of surplus waters of any of the State canals or canal feeders, or of any waters impounded by the construction of dams, reservoirs, or other structures shall hereafter be pursuant to general laws only." Mr. Clinton - Mr. President. The President Mr. Clinton. Mr. Clinton - If necessary, I will add to the motion that it be recommitted to the Committee of the Whole with instructions to report the amendments forthwith. The President - Are you ready for the question upon the resolution? The President - Mr. O'Brian. Mr. J. L. O'Brian - May I ask that the clerk read the first of these amendments on page 3. I did not catch them. The President The clerk will read the amendment as requested. The Secretary - Lines 7 and 8, page 3, strike out the words "which shall cease to be a portion of the canal system of this State as above defined ". Line 24, page 3, strike out the word any and insert in place thereof the words "the Black River". The President - Is the Convention ready for the question upon the resolution? All in favor of the resolution will say Aye, contrary No. The resolution is agreed to. The Secretary will proceed with the call of the roll of districts. Mr. Whipple Mr. President. The President - Mr. Whipple. Mr. Whipple Mr. President, while we are in this order of business I want to make a motion to see if we cannot prevent putting into our Proposed Constitution a principle that to me seems entirely wrong and even obnoxious. I refer to third reading number 9, reprint No. 825, the proposition in relation to conservation of natural resources. The delegates will all remember the arguments that were presented in the Committee of the Whole in relation to Section 6. I now move that this proposition be referred to the Committee of the Whole, with instructions to amend it by striking out Section 6 and reporting forthwith. I do this that we may not put into this Constitution a reward to certain people for violating the Constitution now in effect and handing over forever a million dollars' worth of our property to people who have taken it by force. The President - The Chair will have to hold that, as this measure is actually on the third reading calendar for the day, Mr. Whipple's motion will be withheld until the call of the measure upon the calendar. It will then be in order. Reports of standing committees. Mr. Low - Mr. President. The President - Mr. Low. Mr. Low - A report from the Committee on Cities. The President will read the bill. The Committee on Cities reports by a bill. The Secretary The Secretary - Proposed Constitutional Amendment, To amend Article III of the Constitution, in relation to the delegation of power to municipalities for certain purposes, by adding a new section. Second reading. To amend Article III of the Constitution, in relation to the delegation of power to municipalities for certain purposes, by adding a new section. The President - Any special disposition of this measure desired? Referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Rodenbeck Mr. President. The President - Mr. Rodenbeck. Mr. Rodenbeck - The Committee on Revision and Engrossment reports, with amendments, a bill of Mr. R. B. Smith. This bill has been before the Committee for some weeks and it has been held pending action upon another bill in the Committee of the Whole, but the Committee on Revision and Engrossment has decided to amend the bill in some formal respects. The President - The Secretary will read the report. The Secretary - Mr. Rodenbeck for the Committee on Revision and Engrossment to which was referred proposed amendment No. 744, Introductory No. 385, introduced by Mr. R. B. Smith, to amend Sections 6 and 7 of Article IV of the Constitution in relation to succession to the office of Governor, reports the same with the following recommendations: Page one, line eight, strike out "be" at the end of the line and insert in italics the word become. Page two, line twenty-one, after "Lieutenant-Governor," insert in italics such vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the term at the next general election happening not less than three months after such vacancy occurs; and in any such case, until the vacancy be filled by election. Page two, line twenty-three, strike out "commencement" and insert in italics first day. Page two, line twenty-four, strike out "first annual" and strike out all after "which" and insert in italics the office of governor shall be filled. Page two, strike out line twenty-five and part of line twenty-six down to and including the period. Page two, line twenty-two, strike out "be" at the end of the line and insert in italics the word become. ADOLPH J. RODENBECK, Chairman. which report was accepted and said Proposed Amendment ordered reprinted and engrossed for a third reading. The President Is the Convention ready for the question upon the amendments proposed by the Committee on Revision. All in favor of agreeing with the report of the Committee will say Aye, contrary, No. The report is agreed to, and the proposed amendment will be placed on the calendar for third reading. Mr. Rhees - Mr. President, the Committee on Civil Service presents its report. A minority of the Committee also presents its report. I move that both reports be printed as documents and referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Unger - Mr. President, on behalf of the minority I desire to present a report. The President - Without objection the reports will be received and referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Olcott - Mr. President, does that apply to both the minority and majority reports? The President - Yes; they both go to the Committee of the Whole. Are there any further reports of standing committees? Reports of select committees. Third reading of bills. The Secretary will call the calendar. The Secretary - Third reading No. 4, printed number 819 by Mr. R. B. Smith to amend Article 3 and Section 4 of Article IV of the Constitution in relation to voluntary sessions of the Legislature and the Assembly. The President - The proposed amendment is now open to debate under the rules. |