The Cordova daily times., 1921-09-08
WILL OBSERVE
 CONSTITUTION
 DAY ON SEPT. II

| corning American ideals or govern ment and to bring about q better popular understanding of the Con sttution under whose provisions the United States has developed into powerful, influential and respected nation with a people who enjoy greater measure of justice happi ness, opportunity and freedom, both civil and religious than those of any other nation.
 William E. Gladstone said regard ing the Constitution that it lis the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given moment by the brain aud purpose of man." While 1t is true that the Constitution was formulat- ed by a group of 55 delegates sitting in convention for period of slight ly less than four months, it can be said nevertheless, that the work Is the product of thousands of years Of human experience. The convention did not aim to invent new theories and new governmental machinery but to adopt those which had proved their value in actual operation eith- CT in the Colonies, in England, or in other lands.
 1 That the framers of the Constitu- tion did succeed in arriving at the fundamental principles of efficient and just popular government is proved by the fact that during the l34 years of it's existence, the Con stitution, though it contains provi, ions for it's own amendment with every facility consistent with safety, has been amended but nineteen times. The first ten amendments are known as the "8iu of Right" and were practically agreed upon be- fore the original Constitution was ratified The other nine amend ments have nulIified nothing basic set forth in the original document. The eleventh and twelfth limit to some extent the power of federal courts and provide a new presiden- tial electoral law. The thirteenth, fourteenth. and fifteenth grew direct, ly out of the changed status of the Negro as a result of the Civil war. The sixteenth 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 or sale of intoxicating liquors, and the nine tecnth removes suffrage restrictions heretofore imposed because of sex, by extending the ballot to women.
 These and many other facts re. garding the Constitution should be driven home on "Constitution Day" and during the preceding week in all the schools Of Alaska. Special eX, ercises should be held in schools on Friday, September 1Gth. Speakers who will present various phases of the Constitution should be scheduled to appear during the week Approxi mately 30 minutes of time are re, quircd in order to read the entire Constitution The majority of adults have never read the Constitution The average individual obtains what little knowledge he may have regard, ing it's provisions by the process of absorption. It is not too much to expect high school and upper grade pupils to study the Constitution sec. tion. The study of ciyics is excel, lent. However, the boys and girls of Alaska should also have an opportun. ity to study the Constitution in it's original wording. Informed men and women cannot be fooled
 A suggestive program for public exercises on the evening of Septem- Der l7th is being sent to all schools. Superintendents or principals should appoint a local committee to make arrangements for a community gath ering. Newspapers will cooperate in every way possible. American Legion Posts may be relied upon to boost such d program. Ministers will be pleased to preach special sermons Ion the Constitution either on the Sunday preceding or immediately following Constitution Day.
 The Constitution of the United States is written on five sheets of parchment of equal size. thirty in- ches wide and forty inches long. Each sheet Is preserved between plates of glass in a suitable oak 1 frnmp- and In n safe nrnVidnd with