Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-22
he CONSTITUTION
Talk of a National Convention for
Its Revision.
HOW CONDITIONS Have CHANGED
Danger of Changes Made "by
General Consent.
PUBLIC AGITATION LIKELY

The idea of a national constitutional con-
vcntion is getting a hod upon the minds
of some of the most thoughtful men in
public life. The thought Is merely Sug-
gestive as yet. and has not heeu resolved
into a definite purpose. but there is Il grow
ing feeling that We have reached a stage
in our history where it begins 20 be a
st rlous problem whether the Constitution
must be reconstructed or reconstruct. The
feeling is very common in and out "f Con-
gress that this nation is like a big boy in
short pants which will give way at every
seam If new pair of trousers are not
soon provided. Almost every important de
veIopment in our national growth support
ed by considerable element active in pub
lie affairs is felt to be a strain Of the Con-
stitutiOn. Within the past eighteen months
more than ever before during the present
generation of political doctors the Consti-
tuition mas been raised across tho path Of
progress along the lines OF development
seemingly most popular. and men who be-
htSe thoroughly in the new policies and
have faith in the future world influence
of the United States have been disturbed
and caused to ponder over the question of
constitutional limitations. They have hest
rated between veneration for this time
hoToTed instrument and common-senSe
recognition of present conditions and future
needs
The Present Tendency in Congress.
There are few men in Congress. aside frcm
those who are utterly Indifferent to any
thing except merely temporary policy. who
do not gree that the present tendency IS to
break away more and more from the re-
straints which the Constitution has been re-
garded as putting upon the policies of gov
eminent This is justified upon the grounds
of necessity arising from the growth ard
development of the nation. 1t is argued that
if the trainers of the Constitution had any
conception of the nation to be hullt upon
the foundation they laid. the conditions
existing at the time of the framing of the
Constitution did not admit of its being
made broad enough to meet that nation 5
needs for ali time Not TO speak too ir-
reverently of that great instrument, it was
Of necessity a patchwork in which each OF
the states or colonies contributed patch,
and the doubts and anxiety of the time
found expression in the color of the patch
es- What once stood out in glarins colors
has now faded: time has reduced the whole
fabric to a common shade. but that shade
is indistinct and gradually becoming color
ltss.
In dealing with the conditions that now
exist there appears little difference of opin-
ION as to what the facts are. and it is a
question of method in dealing with the
problem presented. Comparatively few
men among the class responsible for gov
eminent today. in either the legislative or
executive branches, and perhaps in the jul
dietary. have much respect Cor he narrow
restraints of the Constitution. A sugges-
tion Of their existence with a right to be
respected provokes outbreaks of impatience
in every debate in Congress. The only
open question appears to be whether the
restraints which are deemed inconsistent
with our present national character and a
hindrance to expansion shall be ignored
70 IAr1 f1aaI Lar
whether the problem shall be dealt with
more directly by a reconstruction of the
Constitution to suit it to the changes that
have come about during its honored exist
encs Of more than hundred years
Those who are inclined to the idea of a
reconstruction by a constitutional conven-
ton at some time In the near future are
influenced by the belief that the ineVitGl lie
result of trying 10 overcome difficulties by
avoiding ignoring or by new and
strained Interpretation of things which con-
fiict with present and future policies will
be the development into condition OF hav-
ing only unwritten Constitution. as has
Great Britain. the written instrument be-
coming obsolete: and that we will have a
new Constitution in fact, though not of rec
ord They feel that If we are to retain a
written Constitution the changes in it made
necessary by new conditions should be
made in writing in order to preserve sta
billy of our institutions. Timidity which
would cause some politicians to shrink
from meeting the question frankly still ad-
IullS Oh InSlT ignoring a constitutional
striction which they have not the courage
TO remove
Danger Foreseen.
danger foreseen from a system of ir-
regular and informal revisions of the Con.
sritution by general consent is that emo.
tional and hastily formed public sentiment
which can exist but for an hour may BIZ
left without restraint and constitutions
construction become merely a matter o
compliance with the demands Of the hour
The popultsts. with certain theory o.
socialism. propose what they term a sys
tenn Of initiative and referendum for leg
l5aunn, 50 that what shall be considered
would be not the need and the wisdom o.
the law. but the momentary, unconsidere6
and possibly improperly secured expires
sion of opinion at the polls
Inc initiative and referendum method
OF constitutional construction might LEAD
to disaster. II would certainly leave oul
system of government constantly in doubt
II would be dangerous alike to all classes
At one time the common people might b.
deprived of their liberties; at another tht
rich might be despoiIed of their wealth
AT all times subyersion of government
would be possible.
Not TO BE Held in Restraint.
Yet II is fOreseen that this nation is no
going TO be forever held in restraint by tn,
defects of its Constitution or its lack o
adaptability to new conditions, and tina
II these CeIecLs are not corrected in th'
fearless and proper way. through lorna
revision, a situation is likely to develop il
the very near future where the COnstitu
ton will be held in contempt and the only
recognized Constitution will be the demand
Of the hour coming from any class of r,eopl
who FOR he time being are powerful enough
TO enforce their will
As yet the suggestion Of a national con
stttutonal convention is made in a timlC
whisper under the breath. but II is occupy
lDg tHE minds OF good
likely TO develop into a public agitation o
the question within comparatively shor
time