Evening star., 1912-11-20

his power at an early day; and he spoke
as il he had good reasons to believe that
Congress would eventually adopt 1t.
Along with this scheme goes the Sen
ate proposition for lengthening the term
of the presidential office. The resolution
calls for an amendment to the Constitu-
ton. as a substitute for article II thereof.
Much Of the adverse talk against the
change, as far as the House Is concerned.
comes from men who have individual
ideas on the subject Of the Inauguration.
These views start at the low level of the
proposition to have Presidents sworn in
before a notary public and run all the
way up to Representative Henry's ad-
vanced views. s,tss
Five Proposed Changes.
The resolution in the House embraces
five proposed changes in the system Of
constitutional government as follows:
First, beginning with the Sixty-third
Congress. the term Of office OF the Presi-
dent and Vice President shall continue
until the last Thursday of April, 1917. at
noon, and the last Thursday of April at
noon shall thereafter be the commence
ment and termination of the official term
of the President and Vice President.
Second, upon the ratification of the
proposed amendment, the second Tuesday
of January at nOon shall constitute the
commencement and termination of the
official term of senators and representa-
tives. The Congress in existence when the
members of the first House Of Repre-
sentatives are elected (Which Is always
the short session Immediately following
the general election for representatives
in Congress), after the ratification of this
amendment shall hold no annual session
after such election, and such short ses-
shall terminate .on the second Tuesday
of January Immediately following. The
senators whose existing term would 9TH
erwise expire on the 4th day of March
next succeeding the day on which the
term Of the first Congress shall COM
mence after the ratification Of this amend
ment shall continue in Office until their
successors are appointed or elected.
Third, when the proposed amendment
becomes operative Congress shall assem-
second Tuesday of each year, unless
Congress shall appoint another day.
Fourth, in the proposed amendment the
time for an election of President. when
that duty devolves upon the House, IS
extended to the last Thursday in April.
Fifth, in the proposed amendment Con-
gress is given power to provide by law
for the danger of the death OF the Presi-
dent-elect or of the death OF both the
President-elect and Vice President-elect
Office as well as for the failure to elect
such officers. =
Expect six-Year Term.
The Senate will probably pass early in
the coming session the resolution for
amending the Constitution providing for
a six-year non-reielection term for the
President Of the United States, in the
opinion of friends of the measure.
The Senate committee on judiciary gave
its approval to the constitutional amend
ment during the last session and it was
discussed several times on the floor of
the Senate. But the muddled and chaotic
conditions prevalent in the upper house
of Congress during the closing weeks OF
the session prevented definite action.
Senator Cummins. who reported the
resolution from the committee and has
charge of 1t on the floor of the Senate,
gave notice that he would push 1t until
it had been acted upon and he is sure to
receive much aid In such course.
Senator Clark of Wyoming, chairman Of
the committee, declared today his belief
that a majority of the senator's were In
favor of thechange In the Constitution
But he recognizes there is decided oppo-
sition to its passage-opposition which be-
gan when the proposition was under dis
cussion in the Senate.
This opposition, in his opinion, may de-
lay the final action of the Senate on the
proposition, but is not strong enough to
defeat 1t.
Senator Bacon Of Georgia, democrat, is
one Of those opposed to the plan for g.
six-year term for President 1t is under
stood that he would find more acceptable
provision for a two-year presidential
people Of the country desire. Senator B0-
rah Of Idaho, republican progressive. fs
another who will probably try to block
the passage of the resolution. He was not
in harmony with the majority OF the 1u-
dietary committee when they voted to
make a favorable report on the resolu-
ton.
The Senate judiciary committee has had
Constitution affecting the presidential
term, dealing with a change in the in
augural date and in the time for the con-
vening of Congress. T. Is matter has been
discussed somewhat at committee meet
ings, coming up when the six-year-term
resolution was under consideration. But
the discussion did not determine the atti-
tude of the majority of the committee.
Friends of the proposition to fix the
date of the presidential and vice presi-
dental inauguration at later time in
the spring, when pleasant weather in
Washington seems more certain, will en-
deayor to get the committee to approve
a resolution somewhat similar to that Of
Representative Henry, now pending In the
House. 1t is admitted, however. that
some voices will be raised In the commit
tee against the plan.
Several senator's believe the pageant or
"show" features or tne Inauguration
might well be. eliminated, and they are
ioined by others who think the President
elect should be inducted into Office as soon
a fter his election as practicable. Those ia
yoring an earlier Inauguration have ten
tatively fixed the first week In January as
the approximate date for the event. con-
tending that that will leave time for
meetings of the electors and the canvass
of the returns by Congress.
Senator Clark, chairman Of the COM
mittee. said yesterday. when asked. that
this question Of the inaugural date would
probably be taken up soon by the COM
mittee.