AMERICAN CONSTITUTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19046, 17 December 1923, Page 7

AMERICAN CONSTITUTION

SUPREME COURT POWERS. AN IMPORTANT AMENDMENT. Free* Association—By Telegraph—Copyright WASHINGTON, December 15. (Received Dec. 16, at 11.55 p.m.) One of the most important pieces of legislation ever introduced into the Senate was to-day offered by Senator Borah, making the concurrence of at least seven out of nine members of the Supreme Court necessary in any decision holding an Act of Congress unconstitutional. This, if passed, will probably result in one of the most radical revisions of the American system of government since the Constitution was ratified in the Eighteenth Century. The movement is sponsored by publicists throughout the nation who are favouring such a law, and it has recently gained great headway. It occurs that many important laws are declared unconstitutional by a five to four vote, thus giving power into the hands of one Justice. The Supreme Court, by such a vote, declared the child labour laws and the income taxes unconstitutional, and in the latter case the cumbersome process of amending the Constitution took years. It is expected that a bitter fight will occur in Congress over Senator Borah’s measure. The insurgents are favouring it.— A. and N.Z. Cable.