New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-15
yENDING THE CONSTITUTION

ThOugh il Is true, In the sense Of the ancient
dctum. that in The midst OF arms The laws
ere silent. lawmakers are often. for obvious rca-
sons. unusually busy al such tines 1t is
nevertheless rather remarkable that in the
single week just ended each branch Of Con-
gress should have passed and sent to the other
resolution to amend the Constitution The
TWO amendments thus proposed and submitted
to general discussion Of radically different
Import. one Of them is fundamental. and hence
Of large importance The other relates To a
detail Of government but Is Interesting.
The Senate by a more than sufficient ma or-
ijy has voted in favor Of extending the Presl-
dental term now passing and the life OF the
next Congress until May 4. 1901. In order that
hereafter inaugurations may come at more
propitious season OF the year and that there
may be more time for the consideration Of the
great appropriation bills at the short sessions.
The House, by The extraordinary majority OF
ISL 10 II. has sanctioned the direct election Of
United States Senators by the people. There Is
much to commend and little to object TO In The
former proposition, which has been repeatedly
advocated In recent years and never very err
nesily opposed; though II must be SAID that
March has made better average record on It's
fourth day than vivid recollection Of some
shocking experiences would lead many to sup
pose. and that becoming diligence would enable
Congress 20 pass all necessary laws within
three months In alternate years. AS for the
proposed change in the method Of choosing Sen
ators. both sides OF That question have deve-
oped strong arguments during the present dec
ade. which il Is not part Of our present pur-
pose 70 review. We may say In passing. how
ever, that one Of the most fur PREACHING changes
in our constitutional systematic reduction Of
Presidential Electors 20 mere agents OF the pop
uar will-has been accomplished without any
change in the Constitution itself. and It has
at times appeared probable that similarly the
device Of nominating Senators in State conven-
ton might become universal, and 30 indirectly
accomplish the main object desired by many
without a constitutional amendment. Perhaps
that plan has not worked as satisfactorily as it
was expected TO- At all events 1t does not APP
pear 10 be gaining favor so rapidly az TO indi-
cate the probability Of its general adoption in
the near future.
The amendments now proposed have reached
their present stage OF progress without much
trouble so far as this Congress is concerned
but il BY no means follows that either OF them
will get much further. There Is presumably
q much better chance that the House Will ADOPT
the Senate resolution than that The Senate will
reciprocate. Representatives are not directly
affected. except in a slight degree and their
apprehcnsOns are not at all aroused ny the
suggestion Of q later date for naugurations,
though some may feel a sentimental aversion
to the change: whereas Senators are naturally
prone to feel jealous anxiety concerning any
proposition affecting the method Of their cleo
ton, and are not unlikely to be Influenced by
personal considerations when 1t comes to a vote
Furthermore when an amendment has been
submitted by Congress TO the States It's fate il
far from assured. The fact Is 1t In an ex-
tremely difficult thing to change the organic
law Of the land. The Constitution Of the United
States contains only fifteen alterations of the
original fabric. and Of these the FIRST ten, en-
bodying a declaration Of rights, were proposed
by the let Congress In accordance with prev
Gus understanding and virtual agreement. The
Eleventh Amendment. affecting the judicial
power. was ratified before the end Of the last