Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-12-17


The ninth amendment to the Con-
stitution of the United States reads as
follows: "The powers not delegated
TO the UIitod States by the Constitu-
tion, nor prohibited by it to the States,
are reserved to the States, respectively,
or to the people.''
Here is an important matter that
should be borne in mind by the
members Of our Constitutional Con-
vention, now engaged in the important
work of making new Constitution
for the State of Delaware. The Con-
stitution is declaration OF the power
to be exercised by the law making
body of the State. and also a limita-
tion of that power. The new Constitu-
ton. as We have already observed,
should not be crowded with legislation.
1t can safely leave this matter of legis-
lation to the General Assembly, or the
people The latter should not be
restricted in their powers of legisla-
tion by unwise constitutional prohihi-
tions, for the people are, after all, the
real law making power, and can readily
unmake any laws that bear upon them
unjustly or oppressively. But constitu-
tional restrictions or expressions, once
imposed are OF so readily gotten rid of.
Already number of purely legisla-
tive propositions have been laid before
the Constitutional Convention, with
petitions asking that they be incor.
porated in the new Consti tuition. They
should be examined with great caution.
Better incur the risk of delegating or
reserving to the people powers that may
be deemed too comprehensive, than to
tie them up with restrictions that it
will be- extremely difficult TO throw
aside. Delaware's new Constitution
should be carefully made, and with
view to it's stability, above all other
considerations. The Constitution of
the United States has lasted more than
a century, with few amendments. Our
new Constitution should last fifty
years, at least. And it will, il care is
exercised with respect TO the powers
assumed in the instrument, and the
rights reserved to the people.
Representative Treloar of Missouri
has introduced in Congress a Joint
resolution providing for an amendment
TO the United States Constitution SO
that the terms OF Representatives. shall
be increased to four years; of Senet tors
to eight years, and of the President to
eight years, making the latter in
eligible for reelection. In Mr.. Tro.
loar's opinion tho commercial interests
of the country demand this change,
owing TO the unsettlement of business
which follows President election, and
for the further reason that two years is
not sufficiently long time for a Repre-
sentative to famIliarize himself with
Congressional work. Many people will
disagree with Mr.. Ireloar's concluding
view. The average Congressman very
readily learns, at a single session, the
art of plunging his hands elbow ueep
into the appropriate grab bag. An
extension of his amendment, 10 as to
provide for quadrenaial instead of an
nual sessions of Congress, might make
it more popular.
According to the report of the Post
master General, the revenues of the
Postoffice Department are not sufficient
to meet it's expenses This is not sur
prising when the enormous extent to
which Senators, Congressman and other
public officials load the mails with free
matter. particularly during political
campaigns, is considered. The frank
ing privilege is shamefully abused and
should be severely restricted.
mig .HSe