[108-1] The fact that so-called "governors" are sent out from the British Isles to the five newer Britannic nations does not affect the statements in this paragraph. Such "governors" do not share in legislation, but acquiesce in legislation formulated by others. Such "governors" are best considered as ambassadors with peculiar local recognition, who act under orders from and in behalf of the government of the British Isles, and act also wherever possible in behalf of all six of the Britannic nations and their dependencies. _Cf. ante_, p. 89. [109-1] The Seventeenth Amendment to the Federal Constitution, initiated by Congress in 1912, requiring the direct election of senators by the voters of each state, came into force May 31, 1913. The practical effects of direct election were, however, previously obtained in some states, the legislatures electing as senators candidates already designated by the voters. This instance, in which the working Constitution violated the spirit of the written Constitution, is interesting as evidence of the flexity of the American Constitution and of the strength of the spirit of local self-government. Cf. _Britannica Year Book_, London, 1913, pp. 744-745. [110-1] That Australia may change its Constitution regardless of the wishes of the British Isles, _cf._ Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, chapter viii. paragraph 128, and comments thereon in C.P. Lucas, _A Historical Geography of the British Colonies,_ vol. vi., _Australasia_, by A. D. Rogers, Oxford, 1907, pt. i., p. 289. [111-1] Woodrow Wilson, _The State_, 1898, Boston, rev. ed., 1911, p.462. [111-2] Concerning the alteration in procedure of the American Electoral College whereby presidential electors are pledged before their election, cf. _Ency. Brit._, vol. xxvii. p. 655. [112-1] _Ency. Brit._, vol. xx. p. 845. [113-1] _Cf._ W.H. Moore, _The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia_, 2nd ed., Melbourne, 1910, p. 297: "Further, the Constitution recognizes, if it does not establish, the Cabinet system in the Commonwealth, and the responsibilities of the Executive extend to the consideration of the subjects committed to Parliament, and, if need be, to the initiation of legislation upon them," Also B, R. Wise, _The Commonwealth of Australia_, London, 1909, pp. 193-194: "At the same time, the provisions which enable its [responsible government] continuance are sufficiently wide to allow of other systems, should this one prove unsuited to a Federation. Except that Ministers must sit in Parliament, there seems no limit to the changes which might be made with the acquiescence of the Governor-General, in the method of appointment, tenure of office, or function," _Cf._ Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, chapter i., part i., paragraph 5. [114-1] Woodrow Wilson, _The State_, 1898, Boston, rev. ed., 1911, p. 889, gives this lack of local self-government as one of the causes of the American Revolution.