The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1920-12-30
THE FIRST AND SECOND
MONDAYS IN DECEMBER
{ Special Correspondence ,

Washington, Dec Congressman
Clifton ". Macarthur Of Oregon Is the
author Of two proposed amendments
20 tie Constitution, recently introduc-
ed in the House Of Representatives
Both aim 10 reduce the time which
now elapses between the election Of
the President, Senator's and Represen-
tatives in Congress and the date upon
which they take their oaths Of Office
and enter upon the discharge Of their
iut,es As the Constitution and the
laws now provide, the President
assumes control OF the executive
branch Of the Government on March
4th, four months after the people
have elected him Chief Executive.
Senators and Congressmer. are COM
p fled 10 wait until the first Monday
in December Of the following year, Q
del;y Of thirteen months, before they
are able TO participate in national leg
islation, unless the President in the
meantime sees ht TO call n special ses-
sion of Congress.
mo ether civilized country de-
elares Mr.. Macarthur, "tolerates the
grotesque conditions which surround
the election and inauguration Of the
President Of the United States and the
election and qualification Of Represen-
tatives and Senator'S" As objections
to our present system, he charges that
often Legislation and executive author
ity are permitted TO remain In the
h:nds 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
party assumes control Of
national affairs should be prevented.
As an instance OF the harm which may
come TO the country as a result Of
those long delays Mr.. Macarthur cites
the vacillating policy Of President Blu
c;ianan following Lincoln's first cleo
ton Had Lincoln been able to take
his seat in December following his
election" he asserts, "the Civil War
might have been averted."
The first of Congressman Nc
Arthur's amendments fixes the first
Tuesday after the first Mnday in No
vember as election day, and provides
that the terms Of service Of Senator's
and Representatives shall begin on the
first Monday in December Of the same
year, instead Of March 4th Of the fol
owing year. II automatically abolish |
es the short session OF Congress, and
makes impossible any legislation by
so-called "lame ducks" or political par
ties repudiated at the polls.
The second amendment provides
hat 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 amend
nent to canvass the vote for Presi-
lent and Vice President, and TO elect
hose officials in case there is no ma
ority in the electoral college. The
amendment further provides that the
electoral vote shall be canvassed by
he Speaker Of the House instead Of
" the President Of the Senate, and,
n case no candidate gets a majority,
hat the House shall elect by individ-
Ial membership vote instead Of BY
states as at present.
81 am prompted TO introduce these
stated Congressman
fcArthur, "only because Of my wish !
o bring about progressive and eco I
omical administration and legisla- q
ion. ! am not at all sanguine that {
hey will be considered at the present {
ession, but ! am introducing them for q
he purpose Of focusing public ntten- !
ION on what consider very important
uestions, and trust that the resulting l
will produce results later .
n"