The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-05-18

ced In the extreme backward ness of
the United States with regard to
every form, of protective social leg
lslation and institutions of social
service; and u I--.l-e
Whereas the Senate in particular
mas become an obstructive and USE
less body, menace to the liberties
or the people. and an obstacle to So
c'al growth; a BODY, many OF the
members OF which are the repre-
sentatives neither Of: State nor of
its people. but solely of certain
predatory combinations, and a body
which, by reason of the corruntIon
often attending the election of IT'S
Members, has furnished the erayest
public scandals in the history OF
the Nation; and
whereas the instructive conser-
vat1sm of the people, as repeatedly
proved in all nations. would here
prove, when operating through the
referendum sufficient check upon
such radical innovations or violent
changes as might possibly be. at
tempted by a popular representative
body: Therefore be it
Resolved by the Senate and
House of Representatives OF the
United States of America in Com
gress assembled (two-thirds OF each
House concurring therein), That the
following article is proposed as an
amendment to the Constitution OF
the United States. which, when ,rati-
fed by the legislatures Of three
fourths OF the several States. shall
be valid to all intents and purposes
as a part of the Constitution:
''Article XVIII. :.
Section ]. Ali legislative now
ers shall be vested lin the House of
Representatives. Its se enactments.
subject to referendum hereinafter
provided for, shall be othe supreme
law, and the President shall have
no power to veto. them, nor shall
any court have the power to invali-
date them. Ell.
Section 2: All provisions in the
Constitution relating to the Senate
are hereby annulled, and the duties.
rights. and privileges heretofore
vested in the Senate shall, to the
degree and extent determined by
the House of representatives, be
vested in the said House of Repre-
sentatives; and the House of Rep
resentatives shall have power to en-
act all necessary measures to vest
these duties, rights, and privileges
in itself.
Section 3. Upon petition by five
for members of the lower houses Of
the State legislatures in each of
three-fourths of the States, filed
within ninety days after the passage
Of law by the House of Represent
tatives. such law shall be submit
ted to general referendum; and
If such law receives a majority of
all votes cast at such referendum it
shall be in effect, but IL it fails of a
majority it shall be null and void
In the House OF Representatives.
April 25. 1911, Mr.. Berger submit
ted the following concurrent resolu-
ton; which was referred to the Com
mittee on Rules and ordered to be
printed
Whereas the fourteenth amend
ment to the Constitution ordains
that no State shall deprive any per-
son of life, liberty. or property with
out due process of law. nor deny to
any person within it's Jurisdiction
the equal protection of the laws":
and
Whereas 1t is reported in the pub
lie press that one John J. McNamara
heretofore residing in the city Of
INDIANAPOLIS. Indiana. has been de-
prived of liberty ana put in jeop-
ardy of his life without due process
of law: Therefore be it
Resolved by the House of Repre-
sentatives (the Senate concurring),
That a committee Of each House be
appointed to investigate the arrest
and extradition of the said Nc
Namara. and to report it's findings
to the two Houses at the earliest
practical BILE moment