Evening star., 1901-08-10
INAUGURATION DATE.
The Constitution May BE Amended to
Extend the Presidents Term.

The Constitution May BE Amended to
Extend the Presfdent's Term.
From the Philadelphia Ledger.
1t is expected that a formal effort win
be made to secure the adoption of con-
stitutional amendment changing the date
for the inauguration of presidents. Agita-
tion of the subject has been renewed by
the presentation to the Commissioners Of
the District of Columbia of a resolution OF
the inaugural committee. who have been
giving attention 20 the matter since the
Inauguration of President Mckinley, ask
ing the Commissioners to appoint a nation
al committee to urge the innovation. The
date which appears to meet with general
acceptance is April 80. If there is to be
any change. To accomplish this the
federal Constitution must be amended to
extend the term of President Mckinley and
that of the members Of the Ftfty-eighth
Congress to April 80, 1905. A large COM
mittee, composed of representative citizens
in every state, VIII probably be appointed
To further the movement.
The change Is fervidly advocated by q
large portion of the press and public. after
every inauguration accompanied by bad
weather. The subject has received occa-
sional attention. but no definite action In
Congress. In 1898 the Senate committee
privileges and elections authorized a
favorable report to be made on an amend
ment to the Constitution. introduced by
Senator Hoar. changing the time for the
expiration OF the terms OF the President
Vice President. senators and representa-
tiyes of Congress from March 4 until the
last Wednesday IN April. II the amend
ment had been adopted. It would have ex-
tended the first term of President Mckinley
nearly two months
April 80 would be an appropriate date
for the inauguration ceremonies. for the
April 30. 17s9. although March A was
the day upon which the government was to
have gone into operation. The delay was
caused by the slow communication Of the
early days of the republic and by the dila-
tory habits of the old confederacy. A
quorum Of Congress was not present until
April g. 17S9, and the electoral votes were
not counted till then. 1t was not until
April IA that Washington was formally
notified Of his election to the presidency
He was not inducted into Office until April
30. Thus patriotic sentiment clings to the
date, April 80. Should the time, for the
great national function be changed. April
80 seems to have superior claim for the
distinction patriotic grounds That
date falls on Sunday in 1905.
1t Is desirable that the Inauguration
should take place nearly as may he
In the middle of the week. The Congress
of the confederation directed that the in
auguration should take place on the first
Wednesday In March, which IN 1889 came
on the 4th The Hoar resolution of 1898
followed the old phraseology by naming
the last Wednesday" in April for the new
date. In 1905 the last Wednesday in April
would fall on the 2Gth. There would be no
historical association connected with such
date, but the phraseology fixes a particu-
lar, convenient day of the week for the
ceremony. This is desirable but with
many IL would not outweigh the patriotic
reason for the selection of April 80. The
severe weather usually prevailing In early
March has frequently marred the great
occasion. and exposed the participants to
great risk. Excessive partisanshfp might
object to the extension of the pending
presidential term. but the change cannot
be effected I'm any other way