The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-01-30
The Proposed General Revision OF
the Constitution.

more or less fitful agitation to change
the present method of electing Sena-
tors. The deadlocks in certain States
and the notorious expenditure OF money
in Montana and Delaware have fur
nlshed the ground for this move
ment. Then Mr.. BRYAN and his follow
ers, looking anxiously about to advo-
cate anything which they thought any
considerable number Of persons wanted,
took up the proposition in favor OF
electing Senators by the people, and
gave 1t an organized political support.
Whether the undoubted evils which
have appeared in various States furnish
a sufficient reason for altering the pres
ent system OF electing Senators Is a
grave question. deserving OF careful
consideration, but this consideration can
well be postponed in view of the much
graver and more dangerous form which
the agitation for a change in the manner
Of e~lecting Senators has lately assumed.
Finding that the proposal to amend
the provisions of the Constitution as
10 the election Of Senators made but
little progress in Congress, the followers
of Mr.. BRYAN hit upon the ingenious
scheme of attaining their object by call
ing a convention TO amend the Consti-
tuition of the United States. A v
ton TO propose amendments TO the Con-
stitution must be called IN the demand
of two-thirds of the States. In other
words. if thirty States unite in asking
Congress TO call a Constitutional on
vention Congress must comply, and the
work of the convention would then be
submitted to the States and would
require the consent of three-fourths of
them for ratification.
Two-thirds Of the States, at n time
or another, in most cases without any
attention or discussion, have passed
resolutions favoring the election of
Senators by the people, and the advo-
Gates Of this scheme thought that they
could quietly get the necessary two
thirds OF the States to join in calling a
convention with the ostensible purpose
of amending the clause relating to Sena-
tors. Resolutions TO that effect look
innocent enough upon their face. Six
States have already sent to Congress
resolutions Of this character, namely,
Colorado. Nevada, Michigan, Oregon.
Idaho and Montana. II twenty-four
more can be induced 10 do the same
without comprehending what Is in
volved, Congress will be obliged TO call
a convention.
Should this come 20 pass a situation
will arise 30 serious that the question Of
electing Senators by the people would
sink into absolute insignihcanoe. This
IL owing 10 the fact that a convention
called to propose amendments TO the
Constitution can IN no way be confined
Ca a single amendment. The trainers Of
the Constitution arranged for single
amendments by enabling Congress 10
pass them aud submit them 10 the States.
but a convention opens the door "a all
possible amendments At once.
In other words n the scheme nov on
foot suooeeds, the county will suddenly
mud itsclf confronted With a convention
"a revise the entire Constitution of the
United States
n BE- dinlouit Ia conceive Of a greater
disaster ~ the pfuslauty II the country
and "a ths w-ll-b-ing 81 the American
people and ui.if institutions than would
h. involved m q general frsis.on ~ The
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that great hslrumsHi ths county has
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