New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-07
TO CHANGE THE INAUGURATION DAY.
SENATOR SHERMAN WANTS TO MAKE IT COME
ON ArRlL 3d.

SENATOR SHERMAN WANTS TO MAKE IT COME
ON ArRlL 30.
Washington March (Specia-Thc agitation for
a change in the date OF the Inauguration ccremo-
MES has already begun at the Capitol, although but one
branch OF the New Congress- the Senate Is now In scs
sion. Senator Sherman. who has seen more bad In
auguration weather. perhaps than any other man In
public life, and has still vivid sense OF the dangers
ard Inconvenience OF last saturdays unreasonable
ceremony introduced to-day In the senate Joint reso
luton which Is likely to open the way for sensible
and popular change the day for the induction OF the
incoming President into olhce. The joint resolution
provides for the submission 10 the Legislatures OF the
States OF amendment 10 the Constitution liking
April go 1907, instead Of March a. 1897. as the limit
OF the current Presidential term. and OF the life OF
the Lvth Congress- and providing that the terms Of
the President and Vice-Presdent and OF the members
OF the two Houses of Congress shall thereafter begin
and end OH April 80 instead Of March 4. The terms
Of senators expiring March 4. 1897, arc also ex-
tended to April 30 Of that year.
So strong was Mr.. sherman's interest In promoting
this much-dcsrcd reform that he was willing 10 up
set the prcceGcnts in the Senate. which have hereto
sought TO limit the business done during The special
spring session TO the exercise OF the >cnales OK
ecuvc functions. In the spring session Of 1873 The
senate went so far TO forbid the Offering OF petit
nons and Mr.. Sherman was then ono OF the Senators
who favored Reconsideration Of any legislative bust
ness whatever The resolution introduced to-day went
over until Thursday Mr.. Sherman simply desires It's
reference to the judiciary Committee for consideration
during the approaching recess.
Mr. Shermans plan differs materially from that
presented In the House OF Representatives last winter
by Mr.. Grain, OF Texas. which defeated by n de-
cisive vote. Mr.. Grain proposed, indeed. chang"
OF the date OF the Inauguration ceremonies from March
TO April 30 Blu, he sought also 10 destroy all coin
cidencc OIL the expiration OF Congressional and Prcs
Dental terms by making the terms OF senators and
Representatives begin and end on December u Instead
Of March 4. The Congress chosen on the first Tues
day after the first Monday OF November would. under
Mr.. Crains arrangement. come Into ONCE on Dcccm
Der 81 OF the year. But the President and Vice
President chosen ut the same time would not be In
anguracd until April 80 Of the following year. This
radical and unnecessary feature OF Mr. Grains propo
sition strongly objected TO In the House. and
caused the defeat Of the Joint resolution Mr.. Sher
mans plan Is much simpler and more effective. and
applies sufficient remedy 10 the only defect, and That
an incidental and superficial one In the present sys
TEN, glaring enough 10 demand immediate treatment
1t not seek 10 tinker with the general legislative
machinery OF the Government. Mr. Grains plan did
and that account will undoubtedly be far more
ccptabe as Is both more direct and more sensible.