Looked at ina different way, every Congressmen In passing a law, knows, that it is subject to a dual velo—it may be vetoed directly by the Pres-Ident or indirectly by the Supreme Court," Both of these checks upon the full responsibility of Congress have at times led to slipshod legis! tion. Congressmen neglect to oppose, improve or perfect a law feeling that the Court will have the final word fon the matter, or they vote for harmful legislation desired by a powerful political group in their district, fecl-Ing that their action will not harm the country since the President will velo The drafters of the Constitution realized that it might be necessary to change it and provided a method of amendment which has been exercised 21 times. A two thirds vole of Con: luFess_and the acceptance of three quarters of the states (given by the state legislatures or by special state conventions) is required. If two thirds of the states desire a constitu: tional "convention can be called, though this provision has never beer exercised, The President objects to an amendment because it takes time and may not finally be accepted. If the public are really anxious for an amendment. it can be passed speedily, as was the repeal of the Prohibition Amendment, On the other hand the child labour amendment has never been ratified by three quarters of the states. An amendment which would redistribute the powers of government between Federal and 'State governments, would, the President no doubt rightly feels, arouse opposition within the States. Politicians who would pass upon it would be interested in retaining as much power and prestige for themselves as' possible.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.