Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-29
Inauguration Date Reform.

Yesterday brought the movement for
change of the Inauguration date one step
nearer success. The committee, composed
of the governors of the states and represen-
tative citizens of the District, resolved to
concentrate effort on securing an amend
ment to the Constitution. providing for an
Induction of the President into Office on
the last Thursday in April. 1t acted for the
best interest of the reform in holding the
inaugural date question who ly dist net from
the other problem. that of a more rational
system of congressional sessions. Thus there
IS no reason why the matter upon which
there is such a pronounced national senti-
ment should not be pressed to an early de-
cision, regardless of what may later be done
toward Strengthening out other portions OF
the federal calendar.
The last Thursday in April. which was IA
vCred by the Joint committee, has the adj
vantage of preventing the inauguration date
from falling on Sunday, which is occasion
ally the case at present, and would still be
possible with the date fixed upon day OF
the month such as April 30. There Is rrece-
dent for making the date movable In this
manner. Congress meets upon the first
Monday in December The elections are
held upon the Tuesday after the first Mon
day In November. Anniversaries are OF
course celebrated on days certain regardless
OF the day of the week. save that public
ceremonials to commemorate Memorial day
and Independence day are held on the
Monday following May 80 or July 4, when
those dates fall on Sunday. Thanksgiving
is observed on the last Thursday in
November.
There is doubt a practically universal
sentiment throughout the country in favor
of changing the inauguration date TO
more clement season than early March. OF
late years the newspaper comment on this
subject has been strongly favorable to the
change. The people at large take keen
interest in it. They have come to appreciate
the necessity, because millions of living men
and women have experienced the rgors of a
March inaugural day and are anxious to be
given an opportunity to visit the capital
on such an occasion without running
grave risk of serious personal discomfort
or physical danger. The interest displayed
by the governors who are eX-officlo members
OF the change-of-date committee attests to
the public concern in this effort, and should
soon bring results in the way of a strong
sentiment in Congress in favor of the
amendment
The main task before those who are press
ing this reform TO an issue is to prevent the
complication of the case in Congress by the
addition of the other matter of the con-
gressional opening date. Let the Inaugural
ton date joint resolution be presented early
In the session and pressed vigorously to a
hearing. There are many members in both
houses who are earnest friends of the re-
form. There will be plenty of time this ses
sion for all the work Congress has to do,
and there is no good reason why the joint
resolution proposing the constitutional
amendment should not be given right of way
on the calendars.
If this measure is passed this winter it can
go before the state legislatures next winter,
perhaps in some cases receiving approval
this coming spring. The assent of three
fcurths of the states is necessary, ard it is
not to be questioned that the vote o. the
legislatures on this question will be practi-
cally unanimous in approval. The main
object now is to arouse Congress to proper
appreciation of its duty in the premises.
and to this end all the governors. as men,
bers of the committee, should be actively
enlisted in the propaganda to secure the
necessary support of two-thirds of the two
houses.
The opportunity is favorable and the ne
cessity is urgent. Everybody should work
hard from this time to the end of the ses-
sion to secure action.