The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-03-13
INAUGURATION DATEs.
Change in Constitution only Remedy
for the Situation

for the Situation
ZION the Hez York Trsbune.
The national committee. organized IN 800
to facilitate the adoption OF an amend
ment TO the Constitution reforming the
political calendar. has been called into life
again. and will 90 what It can TO secure
the passage Of a Join resolution somewhat
similar to that recently introduced by
Senator Depew. L Is assured Of the CO.
operation OF many governors. among
them Gov. Hughes. The committee, at
IT'S meeting IN Washington on Wednes-
day, wisely reversed the action which It
took In 1902. when conducting the agita-
ton for an abandonment Of March 4 as
Inauguration day II had originally sd-
Yocated the Hoar plan, now revived by
Mr.. Depew. of Engineering the terms of
one President and one Vice President. and
OF the members of one Congress, so as
TO push forward the date OF the installa-
ton OF their successors from March 10
April 30, or 10 some other day in the last
week OF April. But when an unreason-
able opposition developed in Congress the
committee dropped the idea Of changing
piration OF the terms OF the President
and Vice President and OF Senator's and
Representatives. and tried 10 compromise
on simple pOstponement OF the day for
holding the outdoor Inauguration cere-
monies.
That compromise robbed the movement
OF all national interest. and Congress
naturally refused 10 consider the trivial
HnQnun inv l. - h.T- -
local celebration OF an event long passed.
No change OF the Constitution or the
statutes Is required TO permit the city Of
Washington 20 hold an after-thought In
augural parade in May. June. or October.
when the President may or may not be
IN the city. and the two Houses OF Con-
gress are IN recess. Such a ceremony
might have a certain success in the Dis
trict OF Columbia But IS would be i'm
possible TO interest the rest Of the coun-
try in Il, or 70 secure for Il the attend
ance OF governors. troops. and political
organizations from distant States. The
country wants a real inauguration cele-
bration OF none at all The change from
one administration 10 another, and the
suggestions which such a change evokes
give the ceremony its real significance.
Americans prefer 10 eXpend their enthusi-
asm on live ideas and events. They ike
70 seize the psychological moment. They
would reject as absurd the notion OF let
ting an Inauguration, with all that II
means. take effect on March I. and then
waiting until the end OF April 70 give a
public expression OF their feeling about IL
Representative Crumpacker. Of Indiana,
IS out with plan for an Inauguration on
December !, making that day the begin
ming OF our political year. Such a change
would remove the Inconvenience OF the
present short session OF Congress. But
Il would not insure proper weather con-
ditions for the inauguration pageant, and
would involve holding State elections IN
the first week OF October, instead Of the
first week OF November. Such a change
would be unfortunate. since October IS
the most suitable month in the year FOR
campaigning. and the first week in No
vember is probably the very best time
for holding general elections. II IS 70 be
doubted. moreover. whether 50 abrupt a
transition from one administration 70
another IS desirable. A President-eIect
needs time 70 think and 70 accustom him
self 20 his new responsibilities. and the
country IS better on for having a little
leisure in which 70 consider the meaning
Of the change Our government is one
OF checks and balances, and Tire time
which elapses between Presidents cleo
ton and his inauguration is a useful
check on the rash employment OF newly
acquired power.