Evening star., 1901-08-27

Last spring the inaugural committee at
Washington decided to take up the matter
and If possible press 1t to conclusion. The
committee has outlined good plan of cam
paign and intends to push 1t. The Chicago
Post, recognizing the general desire among
the people for early consideration of this
important subject, has obtained expressions
of opinion from many leading United States
senators, representatives, governors and
other men prominent in public affairs upon
the question at issue These, it will be found.
are almost unanimously In favor Of chang
Ing the date Of the Inauguration to some
later time, when good weather may be ex-
pected
Several Of those interviewed make the
point that the present date for the inau-
guratton makes the second session of Con-
gress too short. By placing the date on
April 80 this session would be extended
from three to five months. The present
length OF the session is considered made
Quate for business. This appears to be of
greater Importance to several who have ex-
pressed an opinion than the question of
mere probable inclement weather for the
incidental pageantry Of the inauguration"
Favorable Views.
Among those submitting signed state
ments were Senator Allison, who said: 81
DO favor such change, and have frequently
voted for 1t In the Senate. I have voted for
the Both of April. 1 believe that to be the
most convenient season and day. 1t would
enable Congress during the short session
to Sit five months instead of three. 1t
would place the inauguration on the first
day that Congress was fully organized, in
11S9. Such change requires an amendment
to the Constitution
Secretary Gage wrote thus: "I am heart
lily In favor OF the proposed change in the
date or the inaugural ceremonies until
some date when the conditions would be
more favorable to good weather. We can't
legislate good weather, but we can legislate
a later date, when good weather would be
more sure"
Former Senator Chandler Of New Hamp-
shire said: Il am in favor Of changing the
date by all means, and would suggest May
4 as the best date. The weather is bad in
March. My chief reason, however, Is SO
that the second session Of Congress may be
heightened from three to five months. The
present session Is entirely inadequate for
business. 1t would be necessary to change
the Constitution"
Senator Hanna briefly expressed his
preference for May 30. Senator Elkins
said: The date should be changed. The
first Monday in May or the first Tuesday
after the first Monday would be better. My
reasons are the weather and the necessity
of a longer term of Congress. The change /
suggest would add two months to the term.
l have not considered the constitutional
questions involved, but think Congress can
fix the date, even after the President has
taken the oath of office"
Governor Durbin of Indiana said: ANY
time in April or May would be preferable
to March. In Indiana the legislature is in
session early in March, so that the state
cannot be officially represented at Wash
ington.'
Senators Dolliver and Burrows declared
In favor of a later date. Representative
Dick said: Il believe in changing the date.
April 30 Is the best time for it. My reason
Is that the last of April is the anniversary
of the day Washington took the oath Of
office, and the fact that the weather would
probably be better. l do not think any al
teration Of the Constitution would be neces-
sary."
F. e. Coyne, postmaster at Chicago said:
If the weather were the only thing to
take into consideration, it seems to me it
would be much better to delay the inau-
guration Of the President until the last
week In April or the first week in May.
This Is by far the prettiest time Of the
year in Washington. In March the weather
is invariably 1nclement, and 1t would be
hard matter to estimate how many deaths
from pneumonia have resulted from ex-
posure during the ceremony. l have not
given the question a great deal of thought,
but from this standpoint the change would
certainly be an improvement. The holding
OF this function In the spring Is the best
time, rather than shortly after the election.
for 1t gives the newly elected officials all
summer to study up on their duties"
An Earlier Date Favored.
George E. White, former representative
in Congress from Chicago, favored Q
change. but preferred an earlier rather
than later date than March 4. He said:
1.-THE date Of March 4 was set originally
because Of the slow methods of travelling.
In these times it takes about six days to
reach the capital from the farthest point
in the Union If the time were set for the
Inauguration of the President and tho in
stalIation of representatives, as well as
senators, thirty days after election, or
sixty. II that seems too soon, 1t would be
much more popular with the people. When
there Is a change in officials 1t Is because
the public is tired or dissatisfied with the
ruling regime. Therefore the sooner they
have voiced their sentiments and their will
Is carried into effect the better they will
be satisfied. Under the present system
these officials do not assume actual office
for thirteen months after the election. and
often do not vote on questions which were
in the party platform until nearly two
years after they were put In nomination.
The delay causes the public to lose interest
and become apathetic. Besides that, con-
ditions are constantly changing. II q man
has pledged himself, he must often act
rather against his best Judgment or else go
back on certain planks in the platform on
which he was elected.
Again, a change Of this kind would act
| as a preventive measure. A defeated man
would 90 out Of Office shortly after election.
When such man remains In Office for
months after he knows he viii not be re-
seated he is sometimes likely to act for his
personal interest to the injury of the COM
mon welfare simply because he knows 1t
| is his last claim, as it were, In Office"
8. E. Morss, former consul general to
| Paris, wrote in favor of substituting April
| 80. He said: Alteration Of the Constitu-
| tion would, Of course, be necessary, and
| that Is next to impossible. A more i'm
| portant and desirable reform would be to
| change the date Of assembling OF Congress.
| Like the English parliament and French
| chamber, 1t could assemble very soon after
| its election fresh from the people Con-
! gress should never sit after the election of
| its successors. The bulk of the reckless.
/ corrupt and extravagant legislation is en-
| acted in the final short session OF Congress,
after a new Congress has been chosen. The
delay Of thirteen months before the latter
| meets permits many members to forfeit
/ their promises to the people. The whole
arrangement Is wrong and responsible for
| much evil. 1t removes our Congress too far
| from the people"
| w. A. Rodenberg, member OF the civil
/ service commission, wrote: THE date
/ should be changed. Every resident of
/ Washington knows It and nearly every one