Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-09-15
Selected by Tavenner

industrial conditions. and the discre-
tionaTy power TO be vested in congress
by the resolution is a step none TOO
far advanced now to be taken.
But, other than new social. economic
and industrial conditions, there are
changes in the policy Of the govern
ment itself which make the exercise
of a greater measure of power by the
direct vote of the people imperative.
The power and jurisdiction 10 be eX-
ercised by the general government
and which the trainers of the consttu-
ton originally intended TO vest IN the
general government, were limited to
matters as between the different states,
as between the citizens Of different
states. as between different states and
the nation, as between the nation and
foreign states, and all matters relating
to the general policy of the states act
ing as whole and OF such general Ell
feet and concern to the whole people
as to preclude action by each or any
state acting separately or independent
~ of others, and specifically conferred
by the constitution upon the general
government. Jurisdiction over all other
matters were intended to be reserved
for exercise under state constitutions
and the direct vote. The extent of the
eral government has since assumed
was never contemplated. It was never
dreamed that such power and jurisdic-
ton would be expanded and enlarged
to embrace matters of local effect and
concern in the everyday and business
affairs of the people.
AS the general government was only
intended to serve the people as states
and bodies of men, and not to affect
them as individual citizens in matters
of local concern or in the everyday
and business affairs of life, the neces-
sity for the ratification Of such amend
ments by the people. acting in their in
dividual capacity and under the eXer-
else of the direct vote, was not realized
or considered With the power and
Jurisdiction of the general government
expanding and reaching out 10 con
Germ the people more directly. their
direct power for control must be cor
respondingIy enlarged to maintain
proper equation with the power to be
exercised by the government.
With the right of the direct vote in
the states for the ratification of
amendments 70 the state constitutions
and the diminishing power Of the
states and the growing, charging, and
ever fnCrea sing Jurisdiction of the
central government. where no direct
vote is provided for in the ratification
of amendments TO the federal conStt-
tuition, the effect of submitting amend
ments to the federal constitution where
the question can be determined by the
people under their state constitution is
TO take that question away from the
people and the direct vote and vest il
i'm the control of the state legislature
instead.
While this resolution which I have
introduced seeks only to extend the
direct vote for the initiation and rati
ficatiOn of amendments 10 the federal
constitution and, at the discretion of
congress. proposing the same, / wish
TO refer to the necessity for enlarging
the exercise of the direct vote iii other
matters Of government. as illustrative
of the change of conditions and federal
policy and the principle for which
contend.
CTo be concluded in tomorrow's
Argus