Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-05-21
THE MACARTHUR BILL.

On Monday the first day of the extra session of
congress Representative McAshur of oregon introduced
4 bill reading as follows:
Providing for an additional session of congress on
the 9Th day of March following election such
gress. H..t.s
BE it enacted by the senate and house of representa-
tyes of America in congress assembled that in addition
10 the present regular session of congress as provided by
section of article l Of the Constitution of the United
States there shall be session of the Sixyseventh con-
ress and OF each succeeding thereafter COM
men2ng u O'Clock meridian the 9TH day of March
following the election congress; provided that
whenever the 5th day of shall fall Sunday the
session of congress authorized herein shall
the following day"
1t is stated that Representative Macarthur has re-
ceved so many support for his bill that he
feels confident that speedily be passed by both
houses of congress.
Under the Macarthur plan there would be three reg
ular sessions of congress as follows:
The first session would meet March >, Immediately
following the congressional elections and continue until
adjournment or until time for the second session
The second session would meet on the first Monday
in December following session and continue until
adjournment or until time for the third session.
The third session would meet the first Monday in
the december following conyenng of the second
SIGN and would continue until the 4th OF March of the
fsr',wing year.
In commenting this proposed important legislation
NJ Macarthur said
Under the present arrangement new congress
comes into being on Marcn following its election, but
does not actually begin work the first Monday in
December thirteen ,nt1s after the expression Of the
reol lie at the polls that this intervening time
is altogether too long and that members chosen to make
nations laws and to attend its business should be-
gn tleir work possible after election day and
should regular by authority of law and
by the call of the president believe in government
by law, by
Under the present arrangement unless the president
fit to call special session nine months of the time
ltuay wasted and VII the regular session does con-
ere members have 20 lash the consideration of i'm
eora legislation during the long session. and much Of
as ever until the s!o,, session on March of the
odd year
1T is physically impossible for the various commit
consider appropriation bills during the short
sion and get them the way by March 1t is my
earnest belief that the I have prepared viii
solve this difficulty by permitting the incoming congress
consider and pass the beginning of the life of congress
This will tend greatly of Legislation
considered in the short session. in which there al
ways or less lame ducks who take little nj
interest in congressional proceedings"
The Importance of this proposed legislation is 81
obvious that comment almost entirely superuous
AS suggested by Mr.. Macarthur, the legislative services
congressman who have been defeated reelection
lame ducks he calls them-are of questionable
value after November elections where they meet thei
Waterloo. Moreover there be no question as tn
soundness of the view that newly elected congressman
in better position to legislation accordanc
with real wishes of the people the country tina
are those whose leadership has repudated at tn
polls 1t should also be mind congressiona
Legislative work grown tremendously the ses
sions of congress fixed by the constitution
additional work additional time is needed This propose