Evening star., 1909-04-22
Congress and the Inauguration.

1t is understood to be the intention
of the District Commissioners to lay
before Congress at this session the ar
gument for the change of date of the
Inauguration from the 4th Of March to
the last Thursday in April. accompanied
by numerous exhibits. showing the con-
ditions which prevailed in this city on
Inauguration day, and also the indorse-
ments of the plan to change which have
been given by the governors of thirty
nine states. The simple proposition
should appeal to the House and Senate
without argument or illustration. Just
at present it is the general understanding
that neither house will attempt any gen.
eral legislation outside of the tariff bill
during the extra session, but it has
always been the hope of those favorins
the change Of date that an exception
will be- made from this program In favor Of
the constitutional amendment, so that
1t may be laid before the state legisla-
lures with the least possible delay in
order to secure the ratification Of three
fourths of the states in season for the
Inauguration Of 1913.
No words Of argument are necessary
to convince those members of the House
and Senate who were present In Wash
ington on the 4th OF last month that it
is unsafe to continue to inaugurate the
Presidents on that date. 1t is futile
to claim that the outdoor ceremonies
which form the most conspicuous fea-
ture Of the inauguration are superfiuous.
They are demanded BY the people Of the
country and their elimination from the
program OF inauguration day will be not
only deplored. but resented. by great num-
bers Of citizens. However. Congress can
not evade the responsibility OF determine
ing in ample season before the next in
auguration whether the traditional pro-
gram Is to. be followed In case the old
date is retained. II any change is made
in the date Congress should declare we'll
In advance for an Inauguration strictly
of an indoor character. to witness which
the people will not be attracted to WASH
ington and which will, therefore, not ex-
pose any number Of citi1ens to the pos
sible rigors of the early March climate
Congress cannot allow this matter 70
drift as 1t has in the past. refusing to
change the date or to take full charge
of the ceremonies and to prevent suf-
fering and death by confining the pro-
ceedings strictly to an indoor program.
The Stars canvass Of the House and
Senate conducted Immediately after the
Inauguration indicated q strong prepon-
derance OF sentiment in both houses in
favor of the change OF date. with but
few Of the legislators arguing for q
change of the program. It is estimated that
fully ree-fourtns Of the membership Of
Congress favors the amendment of the
Constitution to postpone the Inauguration
to the last Thursday in April
There is no practical reason why this
subject should not be disposed Of at the
extra session The appointment of the
appropriate House committee for the con-
sideration Of this resolution would not
involve the House in any general program
of legislation. for this is as distinctly
an emergency measure. entitled to i'm
mediate action. as the tariff bill or the
delayed census BILL The Speaker of the
House would be justified by every con-
sideration Of political expediency and Of
humanity in providing for the prompt
presentation of this item to the House for
a final test