The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-12-05
BR|STOW PUTS
DRASTIC PLANS
BEFORE HOUSE
Nationwide Referendum and
Recall Of Decisions of Fed
eral Supreme Court Pro-
posed by Kansan.
WANTS PRESIDENTS
TO CONSULT PEOPLE
Senator Explains Why He
Thinks Two Amendments TO
the Constitution Would
Be of General Benefit
WANTS PRESIDENTS
TO CONSULT PEOPLE
BY International News service

BY international News service
Ts TASHINGTON. Dec. 4. - Refer
NR cndum throughout the nation
VIM and tho recall of decisions OF The
supreme court OF the United
states win he brought about II
two constitutional amendments introduc-
ed by Senator Bristow OF Kansas should
he adopted by congress and he ratified by
tho states. This is tho most drastic
progressive legislation vet introduced.
II n refractory congress should fail
to enact any measure the president has
recommended in proper form within SIX
years from the date OF the recommen-
daton, this measure under tue proposed
law must be Submitted 10 the electors
at the regular congressional election fol-
loving the expiration OF the slx-ycar PC
Rod and If approved by the electors. tho
measure becomes a law despite the re-
iusaI Of congress 10 enact it,
Tho proposition involving the judicial
question provides that If the supreme
court shall decide that a law enacted by
congress Is in violation Of the provisions
of the constitution of the United States.
congress at Il regular session held after
such decision may submit tine act TO the
voters at "A regular congressional cleo
don and IL n majority OF the electors
voting on the measure approve il, il
must become law.
III order. however. to make the verdict
Of the people an absolute expression OF
the majority Of the voters, it is provid ed
in both cases that the determining ma
jority must include a majority Of the
congressional districts and likewise a
majority OF the states.
These propositions viii cause more dis
cussion when pressed than any proposed
amendments ever offered in congress The
first one. Mr. Bristow explained today,
enables president to appeal to the
country from dilatoTy or adverse con
gress upon questions OF vital concern.
This amendment, he contends. pro-
vides a means by which the people may
with reasonable promptness decide con-
troverses. and will not. In his judgment.
require the ovcrturuing Of our entire
civil administration to secure the enact
ment of u desirable law which either the
president has refused 10 accept or the
congress declined TO enact.
Calling attention TO the situation under
existing cons stitulional limitations, where
the supreme court has the power to de-
clare that lcsisla ton is not in harmony
with the constitution, Mr. Bristow asserts
that his second amendment merely givps
to the people an opportunity TO state.
whether or not they desire to have such
II law stand as the last expression of
their will. regardless Of what the supreme
court may think about il.
The law is the peoples law SAYS Mr..
and the courts simply interpret
the law and say what they thlnk il
means
Mr.. Bristow argues Thai haSty and inn
ma ture action could not result. as con-
gress first must consider whether the
question should be submitted 10 the peo-
pile and IT could not be voted uDon until
the next regular congressional election
following the session at which the matter
was considered by congress