The Alaska daily empire., 1921-09-02
CONSTITUTION
 DAY IS TO BE
 OBSERVED NOW
Alaska Schools Will Have Ex- ercises on September IT,
 Reasons Given.
Alaska School Bulietin.)

Alaska schools in common with those throughout the nation will again ob- serve "Constitution Day" September l7th The object of the observance of this 134th anniversary Of the signing o1 the Constitution of the United States is to still further disseminate popular knowledge concerning American ideals of government and to bring about better popular understanding of Nthe Constitution nnder whose provisions the United States has developed into powerful. influential and respected na- ton with a people who enjoy a greater measure of justice, happiness, oppor- tunty and freedom, both civil and re- ligious. than those of any other nation.
 William E. Gladstone said regarding the Constitution that it lis the most wonderful work ever strudk off at given moment by the brain and pur- pose of man" While it is true that the Constitution was foril ulated by group of 55 delegates sittink in convention for period of. slightly less than four months. it can, bel said. nevertheless, that the work is tie product of thou sands of years of human experience. The convention did not aim to invent new theories and 1 new governmental machinery, but to Fadopt those which had proved their vaue in actual opera ton. either in the Colonies, in England or in other lands.
 That the framersSo the Constitution did succeed in arrTing at the funda- ! mental principles o9 efficient and just popular government is proved by the fact that during tte /134 years Of it's existence. the CoHsttution. though it contains provisions Tor its own amend ment with every fadlity consistent with ! safety, has been aIhended but nineteen
 times. The first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights" and were practically agreed tpon before the or iginal Constitution Twas ratified. The other nine amendftents have nullfied nothing basic set ftrth in the original document. The el4yenth and twelfth 1 limit to some extent ihe power of federal courts and provide a new Presiden
 tial electoral law The thirteenth four
 teenth, and fifteenth grew directly out of the changed status of the Negro as result of the Civil War The six
 teenth empowers Congress to levy and collect an income tax. The seventeenth changes the manner of the selection of members of the U. s. Senate. The eighteenth prohibits the manufacture, importation sale of intoxicating
 liquors, and the nineteenth removes sui i frage restrictions heretofore imposed be-
 cause of sex. by extending the ballot ! to women
 These and many other facts regarding
 the Constitution should be driven home on Constitution Day" and during the i preceding week in all the schools of
 Alaska Special exercises should be held
 in schools Friday, September 18th.
 Speakers who will present various
 phases of the Constitution should be scheduled to appear during the week.
 Approximately 30 minutes of time are required in order to read the entire Constitution The ma jority of adults have never read the Constitution. The average individual obtains what little knowledge he may have regarding its provisions by the process of absorption. It is not too much to expect high school and upper grade pupils to study the Constitution section by section. The study of civics is excellent. However, have opportunity to study the Con- stitution in itsi original wording. In- formed men and women cannot be fooled.
 suggestive program for public exer- cises on the evening of September l7th
 is being sent to all schools. Superin- tendents or principals should appoint a local committee to make arrangements for a community gathering. Newspapers will cooperate in every way possible American Legion Posts may be relied upon to boost such program Min iSters will be pleased to preach special sermons on the Constitution either on the Sunday preceding or immediately following Constitution Day. M