Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-10-31
washington, d. C., Oct. 2s.-Tin-

kertng With the constitution "1l 70
Ia subject much discussed when con-
elections. Several changes in the or
xanic law OF the nation will. be pro-
posed and at least one Vt these Will
be directed to the purpose Of making
lit easier to effect constitutional
amendments.
IN short, not only is there a mani
fest disposition to do some tinkerlns
with the venerable document, Y
there is insistence that the tinkering
should be made less difficult Of ac-
complement.
parture, from tho ideas of the fore
fathers who framed the constitution
and in doing SO made clear their
Judgment that it should be safeguard
ed in every way against hasty or ILL.,
advised alterations. They undertook
to see that no amendment could be
effected that had not been scrutinizeC
carefully and Thar did not Have back
of 1t an overwhelming sentiment OF
the people Of the country, and that
they made q good job OF it !s' attested
by the fact that since the constitution:
was adopted in 1888 It has been
amended Only ~ times and 10, Of these
amendmepts embodied the so-called
bill OF rights which had been virtually
agreed upon at the time the constitu-
ton was drafted and were adopted
In 1871.
The eleventh amendment; providing
that a state can not be sued by q
citizen Of another state, or by/cttizens
or subjects Of any foreign country,
and the twelfth. providing for the
naming of candidates. for president
and Vice president separately, follow
- .,s%h;- . fouy k,oo rc-tha ma in
lies and the other in 1904. Then
there was a4apse of 81 years without
a single change In sthe constitution.
with the three growing out Of the
Civil war coming in 1855. 1858, and
1870.
Forty-three years passed and two
amendments were declared In effect
tin ls13-the sixteenth. known as the
income tax amendment, and the sew
enteenth. which provided for the cleo
ton Of United States senators by al:
rect vote Of the people Of the several
states. Seven years later the amend.
ments were made effective which gave
the country prohibition and woman'e
-Four Carefully Considered.
The last four .2of the amendments
appear to havefpassed the test con:
templated by thp forefathers. Ger,
taInly they were Debated pro and COR
for years and were considered with
care hnd elaboration, and 1t would
Seem that they must have been de.
manded by an overwhelming public
sentiment. Indeed, II was the dill.
Ichanges were brought about when y
was evident that q majority OF thu
people wanted them that led to thu
proposal that amendments be made
Senator owen OF OKLAHOMA Is tn,
sponsor for this idea and has intro
,fIuosd RESOLUTIONS on the subject i
several congresses. One of these res
1oIuttons ID now pending before tn,
senate cotlmittee on the judiciary. 4
%proyides. that the constitution may b
amended An the following snanne1
and in no other: way"
the calling OF q constitutional con
vaItiou may be proposed:
by . majority Of the msmbsrs Q
each house Of congress.
"ny either ho,ise should the othe
.4hous1 twice reject the proposal. AM
failure for three months to; act u
Ivbrably shall constitute q rejection.
Congress shall propose en- emend
nsne : .l.araepdiaept Or the llinl
81 q opnstitEtlohal conysntlon Wbel
requested by majority 9 ths. ~
lssislatures.. congress.o r elthsr hous
may submit compett1k M~safures'
inal provision Of the constitution: I'm
DIR which congress propos
lamSn4ment1 only when tNo-thirdt q
1.-the members OF both houses shal
dAem ~ 3pecessary. and q call
constitutional convention only on IN