New York State Executive Department Records of the Proposed Constitutional Convention B1962

New York State Executive Department Records of the Proposed Constitutional Convention

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Overview of the Records

Repository:

New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230

Summary:

In August 1956, the Temporary State Commission on the Constitutional Convention was created to study and report on proposals for changes in and simplification of the State Constitution and to collect information and data useful to the delegates and people before and during the convention to be held in 1959. This series contains minutes, reports, correspondence, and other records documenting the work of Governor W. Averell Harriman's staff to assess and gain support for the proposed Constitutional Convention.

Creator:

New York (State). Executive Department

Title:

Records of the Proposed Constitutional Convention

Quantity:

1.5 cubic feet

Inclusive Dates:

1956-1957

Series Number:

B1962

Arrangement

Alphabetical.

Administrative History

The New York State Constitution provides that every twenty years the voters of the State shall decide if there shall be a convention to revise and amend the Constitution. In August 1956, the Temporary State Commission on the Constitutional Convention was created to study and report on proposals for changes in and simplification of the State Constitution and to collect information and data useful to the delegates and people before and during the convention to be held in 1959. In the 1957 election, the voters of New York State defeated the proposal to hold a Constitutional Convention.

Scope and Content Note

The records in this series were compiled by Secretary to the Governor, Jonathan Bingham, and Executive Assistant to the Counsel, Milton D. Stewart, who worked in the administration of Governor W. Averell Harriman. The series documents the work of the Governor's staff to assess and gain support for the proposed Constitutional Convention. It contains reports, studies, hearing notes, and meeting minutes of the Temporary State Commission on the Constitutional Convention as well as fact sheets, newspaper clippings, copies of Democratic and Republican policy statements, bibliographies, pamphlets and brochures, correspondence, memoranda, copies of radio broadcast scripts, proposed legislation and printed materials. Also included are press releases of the New York State Committee for a Constitutional Convention.