Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-07-12
WEDNESDAY, JULY IL, 1922.
LET THE CONSTITUTION ALONE.

LET THE CONSTITUTION ALONE.
Many members OF Congress have
been prone 20 offer amendments TO
the Federal Constitution, but during
tho more than n century and quar-
ter OF It's existence few Of the many
changes proposed have been approved
and ratified. The most radical changes
arc those adopted since the Civil War,
beginning with the Thirteenth Amend
ment and ending with the Nineteenth.
all the others having failed TO secure
the necessary support. II requires a
two thirds vote In each branch of two
successive Congresses 10 propose an
amendment. and ratification 10y the
Legislatures Of three-fourths of the
Staes 10 secure It's permanent adop-
ton. Here we have long. tedious and
hard road for an amendment 10 travel
before Il can become part OF the fun
damentnl law.
The first twelve amendments were
designed TO clear away certain mat
tcrs which II was held had not been
sufficiently declared In the original In
snument. the Twelfth Amendment
establishing the present method Of
choosing Electors OF President and
Vice President. All were adopted prior
to the Civii War.
The three amendments immediately
following that most unfortunate dis
agreement were tho Thirteenth. abol-
ish!ng slavery, which should have
been amlcably adopted before the re-
eort 10 arms; the Fourteenth. extend
ing civil rights to Negroes. and the
Fifteenth, comforting upon Negroes
the privilege of suffrage. These two
amendments created a large amount
Of dissatisfaction and opposition. and
to this day have been largely ignored
IN certain sections OF the country, the
Fourteenth nearly everywhere.
The Sixteenth Amendment author
lied Congress. 20 levy and collect ar
income tax. a right involved in doubt
up 20 that time, although it had beer
exercised during the Civn War emer
gencies. II also was a wise and prac
teal change.
The Seventeenth Amendment pro
vided for the election Of United State
Senators by popular vote. n radica
departure from the previous proceed
ure Of elections by State Legislatures
The change is regarded by many as @
doubtful propriety. although no doub
approved by a majority Of the people
The Eighteenth Amendment provide
for prohibition Of the manufacture an
United States and all its territory.
The Nineteenth, and last. Amend
rnent extends the privilege of SUI
frage 20 the women. II was approve
only after a notable contest through
out the country conducted by the az
tive women leaders. It's propriety ais
is doubted by many. although there
little doubt r - approved by a ms
ior1ty.
Other amendments are now pendin
me most interesting being one tn;
was suggested by the Newberry cas-
and designed 20 authorize Congress
pass laws regulating expenditures
pursuit OF public Office. IL is probab
this amendment will find little fav'
IN the present Congress. as majo
i,y OF the Senators extended approx
- Newberry's lavish expenditures
his contest with Henry Ford for q
Michigan senatorship by voting 10 r
tain him IN his purchased seat. A
other proposition ~ 10 so amend q
Constitution as 20 permit Congre
20 override al unfavorable decisi'
BY the Supreme Court upon any Fe
ersi law.
II is not likely. however, that the'
or the other pending propositions
amendment. covering a variety Of su
jects. VIII receive approval by Co
gress, 20 say nothing Of three-fourt
OF the State Legislatures. There is
substantial public opinion 20 the efr'
that the Constitution has been amer
ed surscientiy. and that II should
let alone for a long time.
There is no doubt this IS the op
ION 81 a large majority OF citize
who are tired OF the turmoil Of ca
paigns for the approval Of amer
mcnts. such az attended the progr
q the Eighteenth and Nineteen