The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1923-12-25
TWO IMPORTANT
AMENDMENTS IN
CONGRESS NOW
Seating of Congressman
and Women's Rights
Subjects of Constitu-
tional Changes

" aSninktun- Wo hiilot tA". N~"
sti,uiional amendments have already
been proposed in the present session
OF congress. One OF these. and the
most iar-rcaching in its effects, II
adopted. was introduced by Charles
Curtis. OF Kansas. and by Representa-
tive u. r. Anthony in the house. Tor
the purpose OF establishing equality
OF rights Tor women under all laws
The amendment is brief. IL provides;
Men and women shall have equal
rights throughout the United States
and every place subject to is jurisdie-
ton. Congress shall have power to
enforce this article by appropriate leg
islaiion"
Under the equal suffrage amend
ment women now have equal rights
with men so far as voting IS con
cerned. II required constitutional
amendment to establish that right
Tor the reason that states specified
the qualifications OF voters. For the
same reason, constitutional amend
ment will be necessary II women are
TO have equal rights with men IN
other respects. Property rights. par
iicularly in the matter OF inheritanoes.
are determined by state laws. and at
prescn, grca, many. il not majority.
OF the states. accord wife lesser
rights than are accorded TO her hus-
band. In most instances. when a wo-
man dies her husband acquires much
larger right to her property than she
ACQUIRES in the case OF his death.
The difference in the matter OF pro-
perty rights has been gradually grow
ing less as one state after another
libcralizes its laws and recognizes the
Injustice Of former notions OF the
rights of women. but there are some
states that are still far behind the pro-
cession. The adoption OF the Curtis
Anthony amendment would wipe out
all OF these determinations. With
that amendment il effect it would be
unconstitutional for any state to en-
act any law granting to one sex any
privilege or right not accorded IN
equal degree to the other.
The other constitutional amend
ment referred to. was proposed by
Senator Norris OF Nebraska. 1t pro-
vides for the commencement OF the
terms OF President and vice president
and members OF congress. Vt present
those terms begin on the fourth OF
} March. Under the Norris amendment
= the terms OF the president and wee
president would begin at noon on the
third Monday in January. and the
D terms OF senators and representatives
] at noon on the first Monday in Jan
I nary At present the president does
t not take his office until four months
c after the election Under the Norris
= amendment he would take Office about
ten weeks after election.
= Although senators and congress
q men assume their Offices at present or
r the fourth OF March. their official ser
j. vice really does not become effective
i until the following December whei
y the first regular session convenes'' un
= less the president calls them int'
e soec;al session. That means that II
= the regular course OF events a new
IS congress would not have an oppor
1t ,unitv TO register its policies unit
p thirteen months after il had ben vot'
into power. The Norris amendmen
2 not only provides that senators an
IS congressman shall assume their OF
II fices on the first Monday in Januar
'r following the election, but that 'heT
re shall be session OF congress begin
e. ming on the first Monday in January
$ Under that amendment a change
the political complexion OF congre'
rs would become almost Immediately e
i fective. The new congress would
dc in session two weeks before the tin
" for the new president TO assume n
nc duties.
o. This difference is intended TO pr'
en- vide congress an opportunity to eie
a president II the vote at the gener
ne election failed to result in the choi'
an OF president.