St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1913-01-08
PRESS COMMENT
Political Afterthought


1t frequently hapepns that an alb
sorbing issue Of a political cam
paign is thrown into the discard as
soon as the election is past. The
third party last fall, impelled by
its own momentum, was demanding
near the close of the contest a con-
vention of the people to rewrite the
federal Constitution. Amending it
article by article, through congress
sional action in submitting a single
amendment at time to the legisla-
lures of the states, was too slow a
process. Twenty-one amendments
had been introduced in congress
between December 1, 1911, and
December 1, 1912, and only one,
that relating to the election of
United States senators by the peo-
pie, had passed that body. If these
numerous proposed changes were
an Indication of the defects of the
Constitution, then this document of
the fathers needed revision from
top to bottom. There were hardly
any of it's features that the wise
men of 1912 could not improve.
One state, at least, and perhaps
more, had through its legislature,
asked for such a constitutional
convention. That more should fol-
low was the purpose of the leaders
of the Roosevelt party as they voic-
ed it's intention. A new Constitu-
ton, with more direct control by
the voters and speedier processes of
amendment, was the program, be-
cause, as these leaders said, the
people demanded it.
Now, what has happened since
November 5! Some one in Wash
ington has taken pains to write the
485 congressman and senators to
obtain their views on two ques-
tions. First Do you think that
the Constitution should be revised,
why and to what extent? Second:
Do you favor the calling of a con-
stitutional convention for that pur-
pose?
At the end of ten days, only 80
replies had been received. This of it
self is a remarkable commentary on
the agitation for changes in the
Constitution. That only 33 out of
485 senators and members of con-
gress should avail themselves OF
the opportunity of going upon re-
cord awakens a suspicion that the
people are not intensely dissatisfied
with their organic law. Of the 80
who answered, 9 republicans and 8
democrats expressed themselves
against any revision what
ever, while 6 republicans,
8 democrats and L independ-
ent favored some amendments.
Just of the revisionists were for
calling a convention. Among the
8 there is just one name with which
the public generally is acquainted,
that of Senator Poindexter of Wash
ington. But, as showing that the
Bull Moose representatives in con-
gress are not in accord on this
question, Senator Moses Clapp of
Minnesota is recorded as against
any change. 1t is thus apparent that
the third party will not be kept
alive by the ambition of its master
to improve the literary style of our
constitution or to dispense with its
restrictions.
AS most of the platform of the
third party related to purely state
matters, it's further national exist
ence is apparently uncalled for. The
reaction that follows any campaign
is equally pronounced now. At the
recent gathering at Chicago of
hOOS0V0lL anu Ills 10dQluS lOllO W0IS,
no emphasis whatever was placed
upon national issues. Provision was
made for keeping up the organiza-
ton, but the why and the where
fore of it's further existence were
not part of its proceedings. Unless,
therefore, local questions shall keep
alive the third party, it's rapid dis
indignation is likely to follow. In
most of the states the political in
surrection last fall was based upon
protest to party management. The
national defeat of the republican
party in November gives opportunity
for it's reorganization with new
leaders. If those who followed the
fortunes of Roosevelt for this cause
are wise, they will embrace this op-
portunity. A future for their activity
is here open to them. There are no
prospects in a party whose national
issues are so rapidly disappearing
in the calm analysis of the pres
ent. i Manchester Union.
The Governors Salary
OF course the House had an I'M
doubted right to kill Senator Laird's
bill to increase the governors sal
airy, but there are two sides to the
argument. To be governor of YER
mont nowadays, takes all a mans