The Maui news. [volume] (Wailuku, Maui, H.I.) 1900-current, 1920-04-23

had been imposed; but when in 1894
such a tax was introduced as part of
a tariff bill in time of peace, its con
stitutionality was questioned. The
following year the Supreme Court pro-
nounced it unconstitutional because
not apportioned among the states ac-
cording to the population. This led
to the next amendment, the sixteenth,
authorizing Congress to collect an in
come tax without regard to the popu-
lation of the state; this amendment
was ratified in 1913 after three and a
half years of debate.
The seventeenth amendment chang
ed the method of electing United
States senators. Before this time the
senators were chosen by the state
legislatures. Since then they have
been elected by the people the same
as other elective officers.
On January 16, 1919 tit. rdment
prohibiting the manufacture, TIC.
%portation, importation, expectation, or
sale of intoxicating liquors after one
year, which had been submitted to the
States thirteen months before, became
the eighteenth of the series. Woman
suffrage, if it carries, will be the
nineteenth amendment.
More than eighteen hundred amend
ments were brought before Congress
during the first century after the
adoption of the Constitution. Four
that were recommended by Congress
were rejected by the States. 1t has
sometimes been felt that securing a
change in the Constitution is so diff
ficult that it is almost useless to
make the effort. 1t should not be easy
TO enact a passing whim into the fun
damental law of the land, but, on the
other hand, the record of the last ten
years would seem to show that a well
founded desire from the people will
win results.
General. Notes
The Constitution of the United
States, the laws of the United States,
and the treaties constitute the high
est law of the land.
All executive and judicial officers of
the United States shall be bound by
oath, or affirmation, to support this
Constitution but no religious test shall
ever be required as a qualification to
any office or public trust under the
United States. We have Jews,
Catholics and Protestants working
side by side in public office.
We have the right to demand ability,
loyalty to the Constitution and the
best interests of the whole country as
well as good citizenship from our pub
lie officials. We should not be so
blinded by pleasing manners, social or
financial position that We forget to
look for the real qualities of the man
who is seeking office.
The real safeguard of the country
lies with its citizens. Only as indivi-
dual citizens are intelligent, loyal, and
awake to the wide interests of the
country as a whole can the govern
ment be strong and true and meet the
needs of everyone. The needs of the
nation as a whole must stand ahead
of n and all selfish local int s'
for local and individual : al,
in the long run, be are of
under a strong, ju' al Govern
ment. Since ~ war tn esponsibil-
ity has bec.ne international.
Politi-.5 is said to be the gateway
~" erything the government has to
Jffer or withhold from the people.
Politics may be an agency for trans
lating moral and economic truths in
to the lives of the people; but In
fortunately politics is today, with
many people, a business, not an
agency for the general good.
Many people who criticize Congress
feel hopeless about changing the
tricks and abuses of the present Con
gTess and say that the only hope lies
in sending a new type of men and
women to Congress. These critics say
that the less people know about poll
tics the more they know of justice and
equity, and the way to make ideals
work for the common good.
We women are coming into political
life unhampered by party pledges and
political friendships. Let Us beware
of all political alliances. Let us study
to show ourselves worthy of the great
privilege and responsibility of help
ing to shape the future of our coun-
try. Let US study the needs of our
whole Territory and the needs of the
entire Nation, and when we get the
vote let us support the candidate who
will work for the good of all as well
as the good of his own neighbOrhoOd.
If Congress, if the Legislature fail to
provide just and progressive laws it
is because we, the people, do not de-
mand such legislation.
The Constitution promises justice,
peace at home and abroad, and liber-
ty to ourselves and our children but
the fulfllment of this promise depends
upon every citizen whether in public
or private life.