Evening star., 1909-03-06


every time the expiration of a congress
draws near / am more convinced than
ever of the necessity for the change
Something should certainly be done While
the iron is hot"
Mr. Warren called particular attention
to the congestion at the close or the
Congress which ended at noon Thursday.
"Why," he said I'VE didn't know until
the last moment whether or not we would
get through with those big appropriation
bills"
Constant Pushing Needed.
Senator FRYE of Maine. who has seen
many inaugurations. is one of those who
favor a change in the date of the in
auguration.
IF some senator or representative, or
botn. would get right behind a proposition
to submit to the state legislatures an
amendment to the Constitution of the
United States in order to effect the much
desired change" said he today, Il think
success would attend the effort Ihe trou-
BILE with these movements in the past Is
that they have been forgotten few Gays
after the attention of the country mas
been called to the need by bad storm
like that of last Thursday. Keep the ldea
alive"
Mr. FRYE added that the proposition was
not a simple one. and at any time would
meet with difficulties. He believed. now
ever, that this was the most Favorable
change
Sims Expects House Action.
Representative Sims of Tennessee, SEN
Tor democratic member of the House
District committee, told a Star reporter
today that he was heartily in favor or
changing by contitutional amendment
the inaugural date. He was not sangulne
of the affair being accompl shed at the
coming extra session, although he was
confident that the House would take ac-
ton. Mr. Sims feared that Whatever
serious opposition there was to the prop
osirion would develop in the Senate.
But even should Congress pass the ne
cessary resolution for presentation to the
states for ratification" said Mf sims.
Il am afraid 1t is very doubtful whether
the necessary three-fourths OF them
would take favorable action.
"Of course everybody from here. there
and everywhere about the country VINO
spent March . and in Washington is in
favor of the change, and could the mem,
DerS of the various state legislatures an
have been on hand during those two days
of fearful blizzard I am certain that they
would hardly walt to get back to their
homes before petitoning Congress to take
the initiative in this matter of amending
the Constitution.
But il must not be forgotten that the
anestion of changing the Constitution OF
the United States is looked upon as very
serious affair, and l am afraid that as
time goes the proposal will dle or It's
own weight. or be killed by the ensuing
apathy. However l shall welcome the
opportunity of voting to change the oate
and hope shall have the chance at the
special session. which begins March 10
Sees Difficulties Ahead.
Representative Perkins of New YORK
told a Star reporter that he would be
very glad indeed to vote for the PROPOSE
ton to change the date of the Inaugural
tion and that he was not particular about
the exact date that was selected. But
Mr. Perkins, who is one Of the students
and constitutionalists of the lower branch
of Congress and who will probably be the
next chairman Of the foreign affairs COM
mittee, was not blind TO the difficulties OF
the question. He pointed out that IN
changing the date of the inauguration
it would be necessary to amend the Con-
stitution so as to extend the terms of
the President, the Vice President and
members of Congress holding them over
until the new date fixed upon and thus
increasing, temporarily, for that particular
period, the tenure OF their service. Mr.
Perkins seemed to think that action by
Congess on the matter would not be dill
ficult to secure. but that 1t was ques-
tion whether the legislatures OF three
fourths of the states of the Union would
give their necessary approval.
0OVcTuOIS III 0CdAty &ASSoAo'
Several of the visiting governors OF
states and territories have assured Com
missioner mcfarland, chairman OF the
national committee on the proposed
change Of inauguration day. that they will
do all in their power to bring about the
proposed change. In fact, the chairman
has received many letters from persons of
prominence here and throughout the
country. assuring him Of their co-opera-
tion in the movement
Gov Hughes of New York. who is a
member Of the committee which will work
TO bring about. the change. was particu-
larly emphatic in his Endorsement Of the
movement.
The present governors of all the states
will be invited to become members of the
committee and to give their aid 10 ltS
work. Many of them are already mem
bers and the others will be communicated
with at once.
Action Taken in 1901.
When the rational committee was
formed in 1901, after the death of Senator
Bate of Tennessee, Mr.. Azpiroz. the Mex
lean ambassador, and Judge Weldon OF
the Court of Claims as the result of ex-
posure on Mckinley's second Inaugural
ton day, had impressed the country, the
governors of all the states and territories.
with two or three exceptions, accepted
service on the national committee and in
dorsed the movement in letters. AS a
constitutional amendment proposed must
be adopted by the legislatures of three
fourths of the states, Commissioner Mac
farland suggested at that time that the
active aid of the governors was essential
to success, and also that the effort
might take some time il was well not to
appoint the governors by name. but by
office, and to notify the incoming governor
whenever change occurred In the Office.
lie has haa IN
10 the 1st of January last, and the gov
now being notified SO that they may ac-
cept service on the committee.
Promises Hearty Support.
OF the many expressions Of approval of
the proposed change of the Inauguration
date which he has received Commissioner
Macfarland was especially pleased with
letter received this morning from Repre-
sentative Robert L. Henry of Texas.
member of the recent House committee
on the judiciary. Representative Henry
wrote as follows:
Being a member of the House commit
tee on the judiciary. 1t Is my purpose to
endeavor to bring about change of the
date of inaugurating the President and
Vice President. Seeing that you are the
chairman OF the committee to further this
change, I desire that you send me copy
OF the measure the committee wishes
passed through Congress. 1t Is now man
ifest to every thoughtful person that the
date should be speedily changed and