The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-04-09
REFORM WITHAv VENGEANCE.
EE GRAND BYINs TONS PLAN TO PURI-
FK TIRE PUBLIC sERYICK.

Hs Proposes Tea Aunendnsuts to the Goa
stitutton sad elves sons Interesting
Rss,o.s FOR the Changes Hs Desires.
WASHINGTON. April 9-one Of the most re-
msrkabis petitions that has been presented In
either House Of Congress for q long time is
that which Mr. Martin Of Kansas presented in
the Senate two days ago. The author Of the
petition Is lie Grand Byington. Mr. BylnRton
was once candidate for Congress from Iowa.
but was defeated at the polls, and made an
unsuccessful contest for the seat before
the Elections Committee OF the House.
Later he edited a Democratic PAPER
in Topeka. Kan. and afterward turned up in
Oklahoma where he filed contests on about
hundred town lots. He now lives in Iowa. and
he asks that ten amendments be made to the
Constitution OF the United States. He gives
reasons for the desired changes. and offers in
cidental com I'm ents as to the various reforms
which he thinks should be Instituted.
In the first place he wants an amendment
providing for elections by popular vote OF
President. vice-President. aud Senators. and
making the President Ineligible for a rejlsc-
ton. He rays this sort Of an amendment
would put a quietus upon pivotal state
chicanery." and would also put stop
to the scandalous purchases OF Senatorial
seats from corrupt Legislatures" The
second sndme nt which he desires is to pro-
vide for the Limitation OF public expenditures
and annual liabilities to 50 per capita Of the
population, except In times OF war. Nothing
less" he says. will ever cure the saturnalia
OF profiRate extravaganza and public plumber
which log-rollinR combines and committee
room iobbery have reduced to system" The
third amendment which he proposes relates
to the tariff. Mr.. Byington wants uniform
duties upon all i'm ports. not to exceed ten per
af not, al cali ha 10 IN
Federal taxation except a graduated tax upon
incomes and dscedent estates above $1,000.
As fourth amendment he wants Congress to
provide for the unlimited mintage Of gold and
silver. and the com plete and eternal divorce
ment OF Governm emit from banks and pecuniary
corporations"
In imitation OF Commander Coxey OF the
Common veal Army. Mr.. Byington wants the
issue OF interest bearing bonds in time OF
peace absolutely forbidden. THE" he says.
growing rather violent, would rescue the
Government from the clutches OF the money
changing stock -iobbing. bond mo ngering
leeches that now have 1t by the throat; II would
save millions annually to the over-taxed people
and purify the public service beyond competi-
ton" His fifth amendment provides for the
adjustment OF all Government com missious.
boards, bureaus. retired lists. double pay
rolls. special agents and examiners. official
junkets and travelling experts OF the various
departments. He says there are many thou
sands OF these officers. WHOM he terms barna-
Giles. and he declares that they are useless and
pernicious. the "fungoid growth Of the last
lot OF peculating .yermin. who annually
sauander many millions OF the peoples
taxes for mere personal advantage" Mr..
Here are some OF these fads: To reform
the Mormon religion to prevent seal hunting:
Nf. HIM N Ia nnF q " nj EArn
steals; to gather labor statistics; to watch
prosecute contract laborers: to lombard the
sky for rain to guess at the weather; to mud
S , ws& Rs sspSe. to
inspect city slums; to discover the North Pole:
to Investigate child labor: to ooionize Congo
to navigate. the Dead Sea-; to teach
Heoioslcai sStios 70 dicssr with Indians; to
lire out the Chinese the meanest business
tinker broken banks; to run sugar works to
to, edusats the heather: to build air ships"
that several other special agencies are threat
eued and are sure to come OF the following
perntend Infant baptis SINS: to dilute lager
beer and watch the hiskey Trust: to suppress
divorces: to prove country roads; to adopt
woman suffrage; to put God In the Consti .,l:
ton; to corral the racine ocean. 10 bOttl6
electricity and run corners on Infinite space.
Uncle Sam has forty thousand UNNECESSARY
employees. ct an average cost OF 5000 aaci
or n useless swag OF $4,000 600 annually"
AZ sixth amendment to the Constitution
he suggests that provision te made Tor the
election Of all Postmasters by the people oil
the townships in which tho Post Offices are
located. As a seventh amendment he suggests
that all life Offices should be abolished, the
Presidential patronage be largely restricted.
that sinecures be prohib ited. that nepotism be
President to janitor be slashed one-halt and
that i'm pea chment be prescribed for all OH
cials who accept railroad passes or other
Rratuities. He kinks this would cure tho
office seeking mania. which. he says. Is much
As a means OF keeping Congress at work he
suggests an eighth amen dment providing that
Congress shall assemble within sixty days
after the election. and that no leaves Of ab;
to answer a roll call should he punsh by ex-
pulsiOn. An Affirmative vote OF all members
should be required to pass law or resolution.
Secret sessions OF the Senate are not 10 be
allowed. Finally no member OF Congress
shall be eligible To Federal ONCE by appoint
ment for four years after the expiration OF his
term.
In the SsmabInng amendments which he
Congregational gifts. grants. subsidies and
gratuities OF all kinds prohibited. and he de-
sirss that the power to exclude healthy immi
grants he expressly withheld from Congress
and the President. lie declares that Congress
sionRl meddling IL responsible for u great part
OF our political ills under the present system.
and that It will tend to higher public morality
totake away some OF the powers Congress now