, 1872-12-27

II the general act were made liberal in this re-
spcct, it is possible that Chicago would readily
embrace the new charter as soon as the law
should permit.
SO many gentlemen have discovered their
peculiar fitness for improving our present form
OF government, that no less than twentv-six
different amendments to the Constitution Of the
United States hare been proposed during the
present Congress. Nine Of these concern the
Offices OF President and Vice President. hlr.
Sumner has introduced two propositions. The
first provides that no person who has once been
President shall thereafter be eligible to
that Office, tho amendment to take effect
March 4, 1873 Subsequently, mr. Sumner
onered another amendment, which provided,
In addition to the inoig1bility Of President
for second ta-m, that there shall be- no Vice
PRESIDENT hereafter: and that TIE President shall
be elected BY direct vote OF the people On the
first Monday in April, every four years. In case
OF q failure to elect second election shnll bo
ordered for the second Tuesday in October. the
people voting for the three candidates who shall
nave mad tho largest number of votes in the first
election. Ii the Presidency becomes vacant
tne senior caolIat OFFICER s'all succeed to it: or
IN tho event thai there is no CaIpet officer the
Oldest member Of the Senate sh:ss. 1,o.or,a
President, until Congress shall choose -a.v
President, which must be done within thirty
days. The Senate shall choose it's OWL
presiding officer. General Banks, of
massachusetts, and Mr.. Potter, Of New
York, have both proposed amendments in the
House, providing that the President shall hold
Office for Six years and never be reelected, tho
only difference being that General Banks fixes
the election on the sams day with Congressional
elections. General Morgan, OF Ohio, wishes
naturalized citizens to be elected for the Presi-
dency. Mr. Snapp, who opposes Civil Service
Reform, still thinks that no person who is, or
has been, Judge Of the Supreme Court, should
be eligible to the Chief Magistracy; and Judge
Poland, Of Vermont thinks that all United
States Judges should be ineligible until two
years after vecating the Bench. Mr. Parker. of
Missouri, believes that the came rule should an
ply to Senators and Representatives. Mr. Lynch,
OF Maine, agrees with Mr.. Summers idea OF
electing the President by direct vote, but still
wishes to retain the Vice President. Here ends
the chapter Of Constitutional amendments in
regard to the Presidency.
Ono OF the most remarkable propositions is
an amendment offered by Mr. McNeoly, Of Illi-
nois, which virtually provides free trade for the
country by Constitutional enactment. His reso-
luton declares that Congress shall have no
power to lay duties on imports or excisee: that
revenue shall be raised by direct tax, levied
according to the valuation of property in the
several States and Territories, and in tho Dis
trict Of Columbin; that public property, State
property, property belonging to agricultural and
horticultural societies, and property set aside for
school, religious cemetery, and charitable pur-
poses, shall be exempt; and, finally, that each
State may raise and pay its tax in its own way
and By its own officials; but, if not
paid By certain time, the United States shall
collect it as Congress may direct.
The other amendments proposed are of q
varied character, and variously unimportant, as a
rule. Alr. Comingo does not think that any
Territory should be admitted henceforth as Q
State that shall not have population equal to
the quota Of one Congressional Representative
which is simply d custom now. A Delegate
from Wyoming naturally desires that all Dele
gates shall have equal privilege with Repre-
senta!iyes, and shall be so.called and he pro-
proposes Constitutional amendment to that
end. Mr.. Hawley, OF Illinois, believes
that United States Senators ought to
DO elected by direct voto Of
the people OF their respective States. Gem
eral Coburn, of Indiana, has introduced a propo-
sition to the effect that all United States off,
CO.'S, except Judges and court officials, shall be
elected by tho people Of the State or district in
which they serve, but shall continue under the
control Of tho General Government and nIr.
McCrary, of Iowa, agrees with him. but goes
further, and fixes four years as their term OF
Office. Mr. Hubbard, Of New Hampshire, hopes
to do away with great source Of fraud by pro-
f1u.uE Ll11L R1l SlGlt GlCCL1Uu5 Eua4 p8 uGlQ On
the same day WITH the Presidential aud Congress
sional elections, 3lr. Mcintyre, Of Georgia,
proposes that the Supreme Court shall
have original as we'll as appellate juris-
diction in ell cases involving tho consti-
tutionality Of any United States law, and
still another amendment is proposed that the
Supreme Court shall havo appellate jurisdiction
in all cascs where writ Of habeas corpu, may
be issued in the lower Federal Courts. There
are two amendments proposed in regard to the
disposition Of the public lands. Ono provides
that they elilli be given to actual settlers for
homesteads in limited quantities, excepting min
eral lands; tho other is absolute in tho eama
provision, but admits the giving of lands for es-
tablishing common school systen. throughout
Tnion. Mr. Potter, Of Now York, proposes
eno LEGISLATION that charters private
- p'o'A4o'' 'A44 49, "s to impair the OBJ
49, favor
legation OF contracts OF to discriminate III r~.