Volume 16 , Issue 12

100 Years Ago - 7 April 1914, Tuesday

In the New York Tribune, dated Monday, 7 April 1914, we find the headlines: "This Is Your Day To Vote For Or Against Constitution." The ballots cast on that day would decide question of convention that would revise or amend. The general impression is that Affirmative would win.

It was on that election day, a state wide referendum was being held to answer the question: "Shall there be a convention to revise the constitution and amend the same?" All those registered that fall, who have not since moved, were entitled to vote that day whether they voted or not. Others who may vote were those who took advantage of the supplemental registration on March 28, 1914.

The ballot would be a piece of paper about the size of those generally used for the constitutional amendments. In the centre the question would be printed. At the left there would be two squares, one marked "no" and the other "Yes." The voter answers the question as he desired by placing a cross in one of the squares.

It was not a legal holiday. A side from that fact little interest was being taken in the referendum, and it was estimated that not more than one-quarter of the enrolled registered vote will be cast at the outside.

The total vote in the state last fall was about 1,600,000. In greater New York it was 633,000. Reports from upstate were that in some places no attempt would be made to count the returns that night. Complete figures would not be obtainable for several days.

The general impression was that the vote for the constitutional convention will be carried.

Chairman Barnes, of the Republican State Committee, had said that so far as the platform of the party was concerned its members may vote as they please. Assemblyman Harold J. Hinman, the Barnes Assemblyman in Albany, advises a vote of "No."

The Progressives did not want a convention, but dare not openly oppose it cause of a platform declaration in favor of the early convention.

The Democrats, satisfied that they would elect a plurality of the delegates to such a convention, were openly advocating it.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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