Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1921-01-03
Move Made
For EARLY
Inaugural n; U
Sentinlent to Have New Presi.
dent and Congress Take Of
= flee Soon After First Of
Year Is Growing,
Bill Now Before Senate
BY ARTHUR SEARS HENNING.
e,hiea~o ry,bune -l)mahs Bee IAased Wire.

BY ARTHUR SEARS HENNING.
Chicago Tribune Omaha Zee LEASED Wire.
Washington. AIN. with an ad-
xninistration and congress marking
time for four months, at great eS-
pense, until the new regime is in
augurated, there is increasing senti-
ment in favor of an earlier installa-
ton OF newly-elected president and
Of a new congress.
The judiciary committee or the
senate now has before it the Ash
urst resolution proposing a consti-
tutional amendment providing that
the presidents term shall commence
on the third Monday OF January fol-
lowing an election. that the presi-
dental electors shall cast their votes
onthe second Monday in December,
that Congress shall canvass the vote
prs the second Monday OF January.
1T that the terms of senator's and
Representatives shall begin on the
first Monday Of January.
The amendment empowers con-
gresss'.c change these dates in its
discretion and provides that it shall
not, take effect until after March 4,
1925.
Iithis proposed amendment should
Be adopted without change. the
president elected in 1923 would take
: Office two and half instead of tour
months and the new congress two,
instead OF Is months, after the cleo
tion and the presidential vote would
be canvassed by the incoming in
stead of the outgoing congress.
Former Effort Fails. -
In 1914. when the democrats were
in control of congress, an effort to
effect this change proved unsuccess-
full. but Senators Nelson (now chair
mani. Cumnins, Shields Asharst
and Fletcher, of the judiciary conf
rnittee, submitted minority report
which forcefrily assemblies the ar
ruments in its favor. 1t points out
that modern transportation and the
popular election of senator's have re-
moved the necessity for delay in in.
augurating new administration and
a new congress and points out a
contingency of the canvass OF the
presidential vote by the old, instead
OF the new congress which might
precipitate revolution.
The reason given by this report
: fur the adoption OF 1.-The nfopfsseti
amendment are:
a.First. Congress should, at the
ca<iest practicable time, accept the
principles or the majority OF the peo-.
DIE as expressed in the election OF
each congress. That is why the con-
stitution requires the election OF a
new congress every two years. II It
is not to reflect the sentiment of tire
people. these frequent elections have
no meaning or purpose. Any evasion
Of this is subversiyet Of the funda-
mental principle OF our government
that the majority shall rule. No 9th.
cr nation in the world has IT'S legis-
Iative body convene so long after
the expression of the people on gov.
crnmental questions.
Unfair to Administration.
During the campaign preceding
a congressional election the great
questions that divide the political
parties are thoroughly discussed 70,
a the purpose of determining the pol
icy Of the government and OF hav'
ing the sentiments Of the majority
crystallized into legislation. !
seems trifing with the rights of thu
people when their mandates canno
trurn to Page Two, Column Three.)