The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-05

The public Graves az hands but one boon
namely. the opportunity determine whether
or they viii amend organic law In
this connection wish to submit as II part OF my
remarks station from the Senate report
HE'D by senator George and his associates lhat
f report develops IN the most fehclt.ohs tashloh
the rule of action which should control our
courses in this mater The analogy Of our
action in this situation may be FOUND in the
action Of the very gentleman who reported TINS
tde. the gentleman from Texas Our friend
ala not think that ha could AFFORD to withhold
this proposition from vote in this body. Hence
nc reported IN. rule to the House l'ut If de-
Late he has aNowed his purpose to vote against
III" very ru" which he reported nave no
criticism 10 make ~ him for this action. nor
Il" regard as inconsistent Jet our friend
seems To think that this BODY following that an
alpfy sh"old not submit 80 che states 81 tins
Union this proposition of amendment or propo-
sit}on which N the ultimate, II 1t is adopted
VII IA" adopted only 'tttr discussion. only after
DEBATE. "nN after th' necessary ahfhauNe
atton on the part 81 t'fce"t"urths OF the
States Of tn" MON
ono Of III" participants IN this debate stated
taat he WAS opposed 10 the method by when
TINS resolution would be submitted. VIII the
gentleman pray tell ne how he would proceed
Under the Constitution Il" submit proposition
~ amendment rms as a proceeding by virtue
OF the Constitution and IN strict conformity
with lis terms. Pro, tell me H you are not
FrltciHinG the Const'tHinh- Whch YOU 3ritieiHe
he present procedure"
VIII nov READ iron; report mad" something
ike 20 years ago to thg Senate by the committee
to which / have rcf-ited;
Your committee are OF the opinion that the
resolution should bc taYorablN reported and
should he submitted by Congress t" the action
~ the states for another reason. II being
tact THAI - very large proportion OF the Amerl-
can people are anxious that The National Con-
Stitution be amended ~ accordance with the
resolution, We heicV" that they hay" right
to be heard i" the forum ot ne state leEis-
iAiHfes. "h"r" alone the question can he de-
e,ded. whether the National Constitution shall
be amended. That Constitution points out def
nltety the manner in which change in It's
provisions may be effected. The Constitution
81 the rountr must ne amenie from time
to time 10 correspond with the evolution Of
III" Nation itself for 1t Is Impossible I" fetter
the growth Of the Notion I'm any direction.
II will grow. peacefully or otherwise" The
Constitution must yield here and there. cores
bonding the necessities Of the times and of the
people, and the necessary changes lie peacefully
made. in accordance With the methods of amend
t9ent pointed out in the Constitution itself
revolution and bIoodshed will perform THEN
work. The Constitution and the spirit Of the
age must be one Whenever any considerable
aud respectable portion or the American people
tand considerable number can fail to be
respec'ahIel desire changes in tie fundamental
law and ask respectable consideration Of their
propositions by the Nation at large. hold
1t be the duty Of the Congress to give them
a status IN the court provided by the Consti-
tuition for it, own amendment They have a
light that their contention be placed in proper
form before the local legislatures and the pee-
pic before they have demonstrated that they
able to its ratification iy threc-fourths
of tho States. Thar ratification If il
all, viii come az result of agita ton and dis
cussion, Of the rery proposition which they ask
have submitted The true question for Con-
to consider Is rot whether thrse-fourths
Of the States viii ratify, after discussion aud
agitation. but whether the subject concerns
the public welfare and whether those who
desire the Submission of the resolution be Of
stticient number to relieve the proceeding form
the charge Of travlaniy and inconsequence
Today facing the gigantic petition filed with
this BODY md HAVING IN mind the onneale from
countless societies of this country from one
.ud to another is there a man before me who
- i'll charge that The present proceeding smacks
Of savors ~ either triviaity of inconseduence?
Deciding upon grounds like these your COM
mlttee ar. impressed by tho overwhelming i'm
portance Of The subject to the Nation and to the
world ana by the v4s uImber not TO say the
majority FOR the moral and intellectual forces
If the country which demands a submission
Of this fofnt resolution f., tr,. ,,nridaratiax ~
the States. We th,efrro repnrt II favoraIl,. j
and recommend its passage
In the course If TN. debate SOM. 81 me on
aonent. Of tI1., Tiohson rasolnt,o, h,,a t..,r