Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1903-08-28

tn. leading senators for tn. purpose
Of reaching a conclusion as to The best
financial legislation to be passed at
the next session of congress, is not
the individual differences of senators.
but the difference in the financial
ideas of the east and west. That the
serious men of both sections differ is
certainly true, and it will probably
be years before the two sections can.
fully agree upon a financial plan sat
isfactorily alike to both. It is not
necessary to dig out of the science Of
banking and finance a theory for this
difference. It is simply a condition.
1t is easy to see that a financial sys.
tenn that would be acceptable to a
people who are glad tc make three
and four per cent investments,
would not apply to another section
where debtors do not ask less than
eight, and often pay twelve per cent
with profit. That is the east and
the west in a nutshell. And that is
the basis Of the difference in the late
conferences. The medium will be
necessary to be reached before a salts
factory arrangement can be effected.
In view of the many opinions that
are being expressed as to the power Of
amending the constitution of the state
so as to permit the increase of the
state debt limit, it seems reaonable
that both sides be presented. This like
many other quest ons, has more than
one side. Able men will differ on
it, and the only way to reach a proper
verdict is in resenting the matter
from all points of veiw.
1t would hardly be maintained that
a people under a Republican form of
government have not the power in
their sovereign capacity to alter or
revise their constitution, or adopt a
new one. There are cases yer courts
have held that the adoption of a con-
stitution and providing therein for
it's amendment IS a Limitation upon
the powers of the people, but those
cases are where there was a failure to
follow the procedure for such amend
ments. If the constitution had failed
to provide for it's W amendment, it
could not be seriously urged that no
amendment or change could be made.
Constitutional provisions for amend
ments are for the purpose of conyien-
fence and the saving Of expense, and
for preventing hasty action on funda-
mental questions, But such proyi-
sions do not prevent the people in
their sovereign capacity from chang
ing their fundamental law regardless
of express provisions therein, Or
absence of provisions for amendment.
The only limitations placed upon the
sovereign. power of the people in this
state are those made by the organic,
or enabling act, and the federal con-
%stitution, The question IS how the
people may first express their desire
to revise their constitution, and next
how they may make the change. The
legislature is their agent for such
matters. The legislature may pass an
act for the calling Ct a constitutional
convention, and prescribe the neces-
sary procedure, and. such act may be
passed at a session called for that
purpose. Such act may provide for a
special election for delegates to such
convention, and a subsequent cleo
tion for the ratification Of the work Of
the CONVENTION. There are cases that
hold such ratification unnecessary, and
the recent constitutional convention of
Virginia is an instance in point. If
the foregoing be true. the occasion be-
ing extraordinary, the governor could
summon the legislature for the pur-
pose Of changing the constitution and
surh proceedings might be had as to
furnish us with a new constitution be.
fore the snow flies. If the state de-
ponds upon Article XIV of the consti-
tuition aud follows the procedure
therein laid down, no definite result
can be had till after the assembling of
the legislature of 1905, and the subse.
quent submission Of the proposed
amendments to a vote of the people.
This procedure may not be as costly as
a constitutional convention, but has
none of its advantages This dragging
on from year to year does not in the
least aid in reducing taxation for
school purposes If the governor de-
sires to benefit the state, he could
have no better opportunity than the
situation affords, Calling an extra
session of the Legislature for the ex-
press purpose of assembling a consti-