Evening star., 1912-11-21
The Inauguration Date Amendment

Representative Henry gives early ana
hearty assurance of determination to
push vigorously for the adoption by Con-
gress at this coming session of his reso-
luton proposing an amendment of the
Constitution changing the Inauguration
date Gradually this proposition has been
expanded and changed from Its original
form. At first it included merely the post
ponement of the inaugural date from
March to a date late in April Then 1t
was made to include a change in the sys-
tenn of congressional sessions, bringing
the newly elected Congress into being
Immediately after the election. Now, by
virtue of a Senate suggestion, it includes
the lengthening of the presidential term
to six years.
All of these propositions are meritori-
Gus. There is reason for each of them,
based upon experience in the workings
of the government under the original
plan. adopted in conditions differing rad
ically from those of today. There is no
longer need of a material delay between
the election and the assembling of Con-
gress. Tidings of the voting travel in
simultaneously and results are known in
a few days. Travel is speedy and one
can cross the entire continent in less
than a week. A January meeting of Con-
gress is physically possible and is now
regarded as politically desirable. The Sc
quence of extra sessions during the past
few years attests to the fact that the peo-
pie are impatient of the delays imposed
by rigid adherence to the original plan.
Difficulties that once appeared as insur-
mountable obstacles against combining
the earlier assemblage of Congress with
the change of date plan no longer loom
forbiddingly. Whether the six-year pres
idential term is desirable Is for discussion
to answer. 1t strictly does not belong to
the change of date proposal and it is to
be hoped that it will not serve to block
it again.
As for the matter Of the inauguration
itself. there should be no two views of the
case. The experience of 1909, when Presi-
dent Taft was inducted into Office in a
wild snowstorm, should have made the
amendment certain of adoption. When.
Immediately after that bitter experience,
which cost many lives and caused untold
distress to great multitude of people,
the demand for later Inauguration date
was voiced there seemed no possibility of
further dalliance with the subject. But for
one reason and another 1t languished and
was postponed from time to time as some
thing that did not have to be done in a
hurry, and the result was that session
after session slipped away and nothing
was accomplished. Once the resolution
came within a third of a single vote of
adoption In the House, while the Senate
stood ready to pass it quickly if the
House would act. Later came complica-
tions and changes, until now the resolu-
tion awaits the rare favorable opportunity
for presentation and passage.
The last Thursday in April is agreed
upon as historically and dramatically the
most suitable time for the inauguration.
1t was the day of George Washington $
first induction into office. 1t falls In
season of mild weather, when the chances
of fair skies are good and there is no pos
sible danger of menacing storms. The
thousands who come here to witness and
participate in the national ceremonial
will be assured of safety and comfort
This is national, not local matter, and
there is the best reason for each member
of the House and Senate feeling that he
works for the interests of his own constit-
uents when he endeavors to secure the
most satisfactory system of dates that
will include a late April inauguration,
whatever may be done in the other lines
of proposed amendment.