The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1920-12-28
PROPOSES TWO
A|MENDME
CONSTITUTION
New Plan Advocates In
auguration to T a Ike
Place in December Fol-
lowing Election.
Especial correspondence

Especial correspondence
WASHINGTON, Dec. 27-Con-
gresham Clifton N. Macarthur of Ore
gon is the author of two proposed
amendments to the Constitution, re-
Gently introduced in the house of rep
resentatives. Both aim to reduce the
time which now elapses between the
election of the president, senators and
representatives in congress and the
date upon which they take their oaths
of office and enter upon the discharge
of their duties. AS the constitution
and the laws now provide, the presi-
dent assumes coptrol of the executive
branch of the government on March
4th, four months after the people have
elected him chief executive. Senators
and congressman are compelled to
wait until the first Monday in Deem
Der of the following year. a delay Of
thirteen months, before they are able
to participate in national legislation.
unless the president in the meantime
sees fit to call special session of
congress.
mo other civilized country" de-
clares Mr.. Macarthur, "tolerates the
grotesque conditions which surround
the election and Inauguration of the
president of the United States and the
election and qualifications of repre-
sentatives and senators, AS objections
to our present system he charges that
often legislative and executive author
ity are permitted to remain in the
hands. of political parties and individ-
uals who have been discredited at the
most recent elections. The period of
depression and uncertainty between
the elections and the time when the
victorious party assumes control of
national affairs should be prevented.
AS an instance of the harm which may
come to the country as result of
those long delays, Mr. Macarthur cites
the vacillating policy of President
Buchanan following Lincoln's first
election. "Had Lincoln been able to
take his seat in December following
his election" he asserts, "the Civil
War might have been averted"
Inauguration In December.
The firt of Congressman McArthur's
The first Of Congressman McArthur's
after the first Monday in November
as election day. and provides that the
terms of service of senators and rep
reseatatives shall begin on the first
Monday in December of the same year,
instead Of. March 4 of the following
year, 1t automatically abolishes the
short session of congress, and makes
impossible any legislation by so-called
'lame ducks" or political parties re-
pudiated at the polls.
The second amendment provides that
presidential terms shall begin on the
second Monday in December, or about
five weeks following the election and
one week following the meeting OF
| congress. That week is needed. in
| the opinion of the author of the
amendment, to canvass the vote for
president and vice-president, and to
elect those officials in case there is
no majority in the electoral college.
The amendment further prov ides that
the electoral vote shall be canvassed
by the speaker of the house instead
of by the president of the senate, and.
in case no candidate gets a majority,
that the house shall elect by individual
membership vote instead of by states
as at present.
al am prompted to introduce these
amendments" stated Congressman
cArthur only because of my wish
to b\ipg about progressive and eco
nomieal adm7Nssl ton and legislation.
I am not at all sansuine that they will
be considered at. the present session,
but am introducing them fer the pur-
pose OF focusing public attention on
what consider very important ques-
tions, and trust that the resulting dis
cussions will produce results later
on"