The Delta independent., 1923-12-28
TWO IMPORTANT CON-
STlTUTlONAL AMENDMENTS

| Two important constitutional
amendments have already been pro-
posed in the present session of Con.
gress. One of these, and the most
far-reaching in its effects, if adopted,
was introduced by Senator Charles
Curtis, of Kansas, and by Representa-
tive D. r. Anthony in the House, for
the purpose of establishing equality
of rights for women under all laws.
The amendment is brief. 1t provides:
Men and women shall have
equal rights throughout the Uni
ted States and every place sub
ject to its jurisdiction. Con
gress shall have power to en-
force this article by appropriate
legislation"
Under the equal suffrage amend
ment women now have equal rights
with men 50 far as voting is con-
cerned 1t required a constitutional
amendment to establish that right for
the reason that States specified the
qualification of voters. For the
same reason, a constitutional amend
ment will be necessary if the women
are to have equal rights with men in
other respects. Property rights, par
ticularly in the matter of inheritances,
are determined by State laws. and at
present great many, if not ma
jority of the States, accord a wife les
ser rights than are accorded to her
husband. In most instances, when a
,1rrr ha,-
much larger right to her property
than she acquires in the case of his
death.
The difference in the matter of
property rights has been gradually
growing less as one State after an
other liberalizes its laws and recogni-
zes the injustice of former notions of
the rights of women, but there are
some States that are still far behind
the procession. The adoption of the
Curtis-Anthony Amendment would
wipe out all of these Determinations
With that amendment in effect it
would be unconstitutional for any
State to enact any law granting to
one sex any privilege or right not &C
corded in equal decree to the other.
The other constitutional amendment
referred to, was proposed by Senator
Norris of Nebraska. 1t provides for
the commencement OF the terms of
President and Vice President and the
Members of Congress At present
those terms begin on the Fourth of
March. Under the Norris amendment
the terms of the President and Vice
President would begin at noon on the
third Monday in January, and the
terms Of Senators and Representatiy-
es at noon on the first Monday in Jan
uary. At present the President does
not take his office until four months
after the election. Under the Norris
amendment he would take office
about ten weeks after the election.
Although Senators and Congress-
men assume their offices at present
on the Fourth of March, their official
service really does not become effec.
tive until the following December
when the first regular session con-
Yenes, unless the President calls them
into special session That means that
in the regular course of events a new
Congress would not have an oppor.
tunity to register its policy until thri.
teen months after It had been voted
into power. The Norris amendment
not only provides that Senators and
Congressman shall assume their of
fices on the first Monday in January
following the election, but that there
shall be a session of Congress begin
ming on the first Monday in January.
Under that amendment change in
the political complexion OF Congress-
would become almost Immediately ef--
fective. The new Congress would be
In session two weeks before the time
for the new President to assume his
duties
This difference is intended TO pro
vide Congress an opportunity 10 elect
President II the vote at the general
election failed TO result in the choice