The times., 1899-12-17

after the holidays" is the universal ex-
preston of the Congressional reporters TO
their newspapers. One is inclined 10 eN-
claim: 20. tempora. O. Mores,'
The clause in the Constitution, article
]. section !, provides that Congress shall
assemble at least once in every year
and such meeting shall be on the first
Monday Of December. unless they shall,
by law, appoint a different day. The
Senate and the House Of Representatives,
by mere vote, can change the day Of
meeting
Let the assembled wisdom Of the nation
improve the privilege granted by the Con-
sttuti0n and change the day of meeting
from tn frs, Monday in December 10 the
more rational and more acceptable time Of
the first Monday in November. This change
would give from six TO seven weeks for
work before Christmas. period devoted
exclusively 10 measures of the greatest i'm
portauce to the people. At this time the
affairs of Porto Rico Cuba, and the Philip
pines are of far more Importance than eat
ing turkey and other diversions character
istic Of the holiday season.
But" says an objeCtor to the change,
by adopting The first Monday in November
you bring the meeting Of Congress and the
general election too near together. That
objection suggests another Improvement
very important and muCh-desired improve
msHt Change the election day from the
first Tuesday OF November TO the first Tues
day in October. To the voter residing in a
State south Of the Mason and Dixon line
10 better weather TO hold an election can he
desired; but north Of New Jersey the cli-
mate is different at the beginning of No
yember- Heavy rains snow, slush, and the
almost impossible condition of the roads
prevent at least one-fourth of the country
voters from reaching the polls; in fact they
are virtually disfTanchised. In this respect
the cities and larger towns have a decided
advantage over the country voters.
New Election Day Proposed.
How often We see the statement in the
newspapers that if the weather is favor
able and the country roads in good condi-
tion. ,his or that party viii surely win,
which is a frank confession that one
fourth of ,he country voters are prohibit
/ ed from voting by bad weather. Change
/ the election day from November to Cc-
/ tober and we shall hear very few. if any,
complaints of voters being prevented from
/ exercising the right of suffrage by storms
and bad roads. Citizens of Maine, New
Hampshire Vermont, northern New York,
Ohio Michigan and all the Northwestern
! states experience great GtlHcullN ana often
/ suffer severely in endeavoring TO reach a
point where they can deposit a vote, the
! free mans priceless gift
Let the new Congress grant to the
American people the following benefits:
I Change the time OF beginning the session
/ from the first Monday in December to the
/ first Monday in November; the election day
/ from the first Tuesday in November 10
the first Tuesday in October; the term OF
a member Of the House of Representatives
from two years TO four, and the inaugufa
4 tiOn day from the cold, stormy, and dismal
! 4th of March to the warm, bright and
cheerful season about the 1st of May, and
the American people will greet the hon
cradle body with that grateful sentiment
! Well done, good and faithful servants.
/ These are acts especially appropriate for
the beginning Of a new century.
D. TURNER.