New-York tribune., 1905-08-11
THE PEOPLE AND THE CONSTITUTION

THE PEOPLE AND THE CONSTITUTION.
For people who pride themselves on being
experts in the art of self-government and who
talk glibly about measures, not men," Ameri-
cans generally show themselves remarkably
Indifferent to all that side of politics which is
not concerned with personalities Measures as
measures, aside from their relation to the get
ting of office and to party fortunes do not
awaken the largest interest. Voters are at
tached to certain traditional policies or es
pOuse certain new ideas as a matter of party
loyalty, but they not widely interested in
problems of government as such. At least poll
tics with a personal element is so much more
attractive that general principles cannot hope
for share of attention in competition. This
is shown by the scant consideration commonly
given to constitutional amendments submitted
to the people.
1t might be thought that the fundamental
law under which the people are to live for many
years would be of vastly more Importance to
them than the choice of an Assemblyman for
one year or even a Governor for two. Yet fire.
quently constitutional amendments changing
the character of a government in important par
ticulars are imposed upon citizens who will
not take the trouble even TO learn what they
are. Frequently, in States where a specific
minimum of votes is required TO change the
constitution amendments which are of mani
fest utility and practically unoppOsed fail
from mere popular Indifference, and the State
is left much like a ship which drifts helpessly
about because the crew are too lazy to steer.
In face of such a situation it is odd to see the
Importance attached by some persons to the
referendum What can anybody want of a ref
erendum ON points of statute law which can
be repealed by the next legislature if they
prove unpopular when he has no interest in
shaping the fundamental law under which he
may have to live for lifetime? If our people
were really pning for q referendum they would
make better use of the referendum which is
given to them.
The inattention of the voters to constitutional
questions is often attributed to the great va
riety of issues presented to them at general
elections and the overshadowng influence of
party campaigning. The election in this State
next autumn will help to show how far this is
true There are to be no State officers chosen.
No party issue will be presented TO the people
as a whole Their only common topic will be
proposed changes in the State constitution.
There are seven of these, and they are present
ed under circumstances which give a excel
lent opportunity for discussion Moreover, one
amendment is of sort peculiarly likely TO ap-
peal to the class of voters who adopt the ref
erendum as fad. 1t empowers the legislature
TO regulate the wages, salaries or hours of work
in cities and villages, and to provide for the
/ protection, welfare and safety of persons en-
ployed by the State or by county city, town
or village. This is the fruit of labor union dis
satisfaction with some of the conservative de-
ciSOnS Of our courts. Its adoption would open
the door to a wide extension of governmental
control over private employment. 1t has in it
the possibility of vast pension schemes for
public employees and of an enormous swelling
of the cost of public works. Every element of
the population with sOcialiStic leanings should
! are opposed to such regulations they should
arouse themselves to make campaign against
them. for the amendment, if carried, would be
far reaching not merely in its direct effects
but also by reason of the precedents 1t would
establish and its implications. Two amend
mentS would work important changes in our
courts and should have the attention of lay
men as well lawyers. Three other amend
ments deal with questions of debt and taxation
and should be Of general interest And finally
there Is the amendment for the expenditure of
$50000000 for good roads. 1t hardly seems
possible that there is farmer, taxpayer or
q driver of any sort of vehicle on country
roads who will not have some decided views
on this subject
With such a collection of interesting topics
before them the people of New-York ought to
turn out on Election Day in much more than
off-year strength, despite the lack of a name
to head their ticket ana fire their enthusiasm
This is a good year for them TO demonstrate
their capacity really 10 make their own laws
!