The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-03-06
CHANGE OF DATE
IS URGED TODAY
IN SENATE BILL
Depew Introduces Resolu-
ton For Needed ConSti-
tutional Amendment.
REFORM FAVORED
BY LEGISLATORS
Members of Both Houses Agree
Inauguration Must Be Post
poned-

The movement to change the inaugu-
ration date took definite form IN the
Senate today when Senator Depew in
troduced a joint resolution intended 10
prepare the way for an amendment 10
the Constitution. It fixes the date OF
inauguration on the last Wednesday in
April instead Of March 4.
The Introduction OF a resolution Of
this sort, being I nthe nature of general
legislative business at a special session
OF the Senate, with the House not in
session, is unusual II points TO ths
fact that there is a feeling in Congress
that something in the nateur OF an
emergency demanding prompt action is
presented
Text Of Resolution.
Senator Depew's resolution is as fol-
lows:
Resolved By the Senate and House
of Representative That the following
amendment to the Constitution of the
United States be proposed for ratifica-
ton by the Legislatures Of the several
States, which when ratified by legisIa-
lures IN three-fourths Of the several
States shall be valid as a part OF the
said Constitution, namely.
That the Sixty-second Congress an6
the term Of Office Of the President and
Vice President shGsi continue until the
last Wednesday OF April In tae year
19IS, at noon; and the last Wednesday
OF April, at noon. shall thereafter be
substituted for the fourth day OF March
as the commencement and termination
OF Congress, and of the terms of the
President Vice President, Senators,
Representatives, ana delegates in Con-
Sress-'
Unusual Procedure.
Senator Lodge called attention 10 the
that IL was unusual TO take up general
business Of this sort with the House
not l., sezE on lie offered no obtec-
tiol. however, 10 the introduction OF
the resolution, and u was at once re-
( terSed 10 the Committee on Privileges
and Elections- BY that committee it
will be given consideration without
doubt when the extra session begins
March IS Strong sentiment prevails in
both Houses TO have action taken.
It IS conceded by the ablest cOnsutu-
tlonal lawyers that without cOnStitu-
/ tional amendment it would be either i'm
possible legally 10 change the date OF
the Inauguration, or at least Of such
doubtful legality As 70 make il UnWiss,
and that the only way out OF the difh-
Guilty is a constitutional amendment.
Senator pepew consulted with a num-
Der Of his colleagues before drafting the
amendment
Previous Attempt
Senator Depew's resolution is similar
J in form to one introduced by Senator
I Hoar Of Massachusetts in the first ses-
: sion or the Fffty-seventh Congress. The
matter Of a change Of date was much
discussed at that time, bat nothing
came OF il. Representative DeA rrnond
Of Missouri introduced q like resOiu-
ton IN the House IN the first session
OF the Fifty-ninth Congress. Ills reso-
: luton fixed the date on the last Thurs
DAY in April instead OF the last yVednes-
day as is dore by the DepeW resolution.
The movement 70 change tho date OF
the lnau Guration Is meeting with the
unqualified Endorsement OF prominent
men IN all parts Of the country. Not
only the Washington members OF the
national committee on the proposed
change OF Inauguration day, but the
visiting governors or States and Ter
ritorjes have assured C,ounrnjssiOner
. Mactarland, chairman Of the committee,
4 that they will 90 everything in their
power 10 bring about the desired change.
Governor Hughes OF New York, who is
. a member OF the committee, is pSTtiCu-
! larly emphatic In his Endorsement OF
7 the movement
representative Acts.
! Commissioner Macfarland received to-
day from Representative Robert l.
I Henry OF Texas, a member Of the House
/ Committee on the Judiciary, the follow
! ing letter assuring him Of his support:
! Being a member OF the House Com
mittee on the Judiciary, IL is my pUr-
! pose to cndeavor to bring about a
/ change Of the date Of inauSuratiug the
/ President and Vice President. Seeing
/ that you are the chairman Of the CON-
! mittcc TO further this change, / desire
/ that YOU send me = copy Uf the meas
/ ure the committee wishes passed
Through Congress. It IS now manifest
Continued on Second PaEe.)