Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1914-01-14
Social Justice and Constitutions

The advantage OF d. written constitution is that it.
affords a stable basis on which to erect q foundation
OF statutestaw, says the Duluth Herald.
Its disadvantage is that its inelasticity often
obstructs and prevents real social justice.
California is initiating a constitutional amendment
that will provide q statewide e%ight-hour law, If the
people approve it next November.
The purpose is good. The method may be harm.
full. -!
The Springfield Republican makes this suggestion:
But do such matters belong in a constitution, wheth.
er federal or state? The principle says one Cali.
'ornia advocate of the amendment, is a righteous
one. but what is the principle? Apparently embar-
ra''3cd at that point. he proceeds, rather lamely: No
h'aa OF woman should be compelled to work more
than onc:third Of a day at any labor Is that a nat
ural law Must the twenty.four hours be SO har.
moniously divided? But in that case how can we be
sure that Nature meant that man should labor more
than a fourth Or a sixth of the day? 1t is not SO
long agogthat a halliday was the lot Of many; how
long Will a third Of the day suffice for the c~onstitu-
ton?
Suppose California fixes the eighthour day in it's
constitution. Eight hours is long enough for anybody
labor. No fault is to be found with the attempt to
make that the limit of a days work. But suppose
that improvements in machinery, conditions of great
er social justice, disarmament and the release into
actlVe productive usefulness of the millions now kept
out OF industry by the folly OF preparedness for war,
bring it about that six. hours or, five, constitute. a
days labor ample enough? III, ,,. !. ,,ss :.
Then California will have the eight-lour day RIG
IDLY liked in its constitution, and it will have to 90
through the pain and trouble and delay of another
constitutional amendment.
Such laws have no place in a constitution.
A Just constitution will permit the enactment OF
such laws whenever conditions warrant them. It's
provisions, should be general In terms, broad enough
TO permit an eight-hour day when conditions warrant
that, and a six-hour day when that is possible.
Constitutions should not obstruct the enactment
or any reasonable. law for social justice and fair
WORKING conditions. Neither should constitutional
amendments to bring about what is just today he so
framed as to stand in the way of what may be lust
tomorrow.
Ryder Journal: Gov. Hanna's great showing Of a
quarter million dollars saved the state in the first
year OF his administration is not surprising to the
friends who urged his preferment. He gave evidence
OF his determination to conduct the states finances
y as the finances of any business institution would be
conducted. by his fearless pruning down of appropri-
atlons made by our state Legislature, amounting to
nor would have taken refuge in the time.honoreds no.
sltlon that legislatures represent collective wisdom.
ASIDE from economy practiced, he has enforced the
laws without fear or favor. Mr.. Hanna's friends may
well be jubilant that time has vindicated, their faith
in his ability and fearlessness.
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