The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-08

From. Tho Journal Bureau, Room IS. Poet
Building, Was2ington
Washington, JAM S.--There is a con-
centrated movement to compel congress
to call a convention with the purpose of
States. An unfamiliar provision of the
constitution provides that upon applica-
ton of the legislatures of two thirds of
the states congress shall call conven-
ton with the purpose of proposing
amendments, which shall be valid when
ratified by three fourths of the states 1t
is quite evident that the originators of
the convention movement are endeavoring
for the first time since the beginning of
the nation to invoke this method of secur-
They are using popular sentiment in ia
vor Of the election Of United States sen
ators by the people as the basis of the
movement.
The press dispatches yesterday in
Guided an announcement that in the Mas
sachusetts legislature the chairman Of
the democratic state committee had intro
duced a resolution asking congress to
convene constitutional convention, to
secure an amendment, providing for the
popular election of senators.
Inquiry shows that six states have al
ready officially notified congress through
their legislatures that a constitutional
convention is desired. These states are
Michigan, Colorado, Montana, Oregon,
Idaho and Nevada. One fifth Of the
have already complied with the constitu-
tional requirement. All Of these notifca-
tions have been filed since congress as
sembled last month, and il Is expected
that many more will be received as soon
as the numerous Nstate legislatures now
in session. or about to convene, have fairly
begun work.
1t is a significant fact that already
more than thirty legislatures, Minnesota
among the number. have formally de-
cided to declare in favor of the election
of senators by the people, so that the
adoption by each of them of another res
olution calling upon congress to order a
constitutional convention would seem to
be foregone conclusion. It is also in
teresting to know that all of the notifi-
cations to congress are framed In lam
guage almost Identical, thus indicating a
concert of action.
The situation has attracted the atten-
tion Of many Of the observant senators,
and it is quite possible that considerable
influence will be exercised from Washing
ton to prevent the movement from gain
ing further Roadway. This hostility to
the proposed convention Is not based
merely upon opposition to the proposed
amendment, but upon the fear that If q
national constitutional convention is
called the effect upon business would be
disastrous. It is we'll known that COM
| mercial paralysis always precedes any re-
vision Of the tariff, and it is asserted thai
this condition will not only be repeated
but reach an unparalleled stage If the
country is threatened with revision o.
the constitution.
It is the opinion of the best lawyers II
the senate that If a convention should as
semble it could not be confined to the
one subject which is mentioned in. the
| acts of theslegislature, but that the whole
field Of revision would be opened This
means, of course, that every kind Of sug-
gestion would be made, and as the con
vention would be In session for year
the entire period would be one of uncer-
tainty and unrest. Every effort will BIZ
made, therefore, to check the movement
| for a convention, which seems to have
acquired considerable Roadway before
| being discovered.