The Washington herald., 1920-12-23
Years of love have been forgot
In the: hatred of minute.
-Po
Long Ago 0utworn.

ii
Congress seldom met in extraordinary session.
= Then man elected in November-unless al
ready member-had IS months in which to adjust
his business affairs and meet his election expenses.
If he had been reelected he still had vaca-
ton from the following March a. for nine months
In those halcyon days a Congressman did not have
to entirely give up his regular business Being
Congressman somewhat of side line.
But for some years. and for all future time,
Congress has been and certainly will be in almost
continuous session, The business of this country
has enormously increased. The activities of Con-
gress have broadened equally.
National legislation has reached out into so
many new fields that it concerns itself with all
phases of the life and business OF citizens 1t has
taken over much that belonged exclusively to
the States and even to the home
This but emphasizes the anomaly of the consti-
tutional provision to Congressional sessions and
the official term OF President, applied to pres
ent-day conditions. They were with reason then
and distinctly unreasonable
In that period, nearly I4o years ago. it took
considerable time to get the complete election
turns 1t took another considerable period for the
electors to gather at Washington and cast their
ballots. 1t took third for President to travel
to the National Capital to take his office.
Five months may not have been too long to ac-
romplsh all of this 1t took months, where it now
takes but weeks 1t long-drawn out process
where it is short.
Also it might not have been best to call into
Congressional session the elected members in the
spring when busiest at home. There was the blowing
and seeding to do, the spring trade to take care OF
and the many activities of the season which de-
manded personal attention So Congress met after
harvest and when the members could get back
home by the following spring.
This, however, is another age. Congress
is paid for his full time. He is not expected
10 have any other business. If lawyer DOCTOR
merchant, manufacturer. farmer, he must arrange
10 give up his business
1t is not proper allowable for a Congressman
% have private business 1t is held that in some
way such private interests will affect his judgment
interfere with his independent action as to ma
honal affairs. He becomes national legislator and
nothing else.
The elected President knows the election
result in less than a week. no matter how close the
Eote may be. Mr.. Harding was assured of election
within few hours. He took vacation, and came
uome to consult with leaders of both parties. He is
iairly busy just now, but cannot string this out
.ndlessly.
After week two, therefore, he will have to
sool his heels and chew his pencils at Marion or
elsewhere in entire innocuity IHe will be an at
tractve article of national brica-brac and equally
useless.
While he is occupied the he will ut-
nately succeed and in this instance of the opposite
party remains IN the White House. The Congress,
which is moribund occupies itself in half-doing or
temporary devices awaiting its own shroud
1t cannot seriously undertake to dispose OF
many matters it recognizes of great importance be-
tause it has neither the time nor direct RESPONSE
siity. 1t does what it can, but inevitably in a
rather Indifferent manner.
Manifesty this makes an absurd situation and
from which the country suffers. 1t has to wait
financial legislation, for tax revision, for tariff
for every form of remedial action until a spe-
isl session in the spring
1t will then. have to wait organization and all
he prelimnaries of action. Legislation for which
business and labor waiting most anxiously will
DC delayed from three to six months and only come
late. to be of assured value at the most critical
ime.
1t is proposed to change these constitutional
provisions that elected President will go into
)fice January 1, and the new Congress begin its
ession the same date This is the custom in most
States. 1t should be to the nation.