The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1922-12-16
PRECEDENT OPPOSES AMEND
NEWT PROVIDING FOR AsoLL
rioN ELECTORAL COLLEGE.
CHANGE UNNECESSARY
TER, ~ -
ANOTHER PROVISION CALLS FOR
CHANGE IN INAUeURA-
rTioN DATES.

, Observation-Disclosures Of the new
Progressive bloc In Congress got intn
action few days ugo. but Ut the very
outset ran into White House opposi-
ton. ..,.... ~ -.
Led by Senator Norris, Republican,
Nebraska. bloc members sitting on
the Senate agriculture committee OBJ
tained favorable report from that
committee for constitutional amend
ment providing for abolition Of the
electoral college and for direct cleo
ton Of the President and Vice Presi-
dent and for abolition of the long Pc
Rod Of time usually elapsing between
10 congressional election and the regu-
lar meeting Of the new Congress-. Such
An amendment forms one Of the planks
In the platform adopted by the bloc
At Its Organization meeting. f...
Opposition ON the part Of President
Harding to any such change In the
constitution was expressed by u White
House spokesman soon after the Sen
ate agriculture committee resolution
was laid before the Senate and ~
signed to a place on the calendar OF
business. Some administration lead
ers In the Senate likewise voiced
their disupprOvul Of the amendment
md 1t appeared that any efforts by
the bloc to press the proposal might
bring on fight which would test the
power Of the Progressive faction.
The proposed amendment would
provide specifically that "the choice
Of each state for President and Vice
President shall be determined In
general election OF the qualified cleo
tors Of such states" thus permitting
Voters to cast their ballots directly for
President and Vice President. The
vote would be canvassed by the Sen
ate and House, meeting In joint ses-
sion, each state being given as many
votes for this purpose M 1t has SEN
ators and representatives.
II such canvass by states should
disclose lack of majority, then the
President would be chosen by u ma
jOrity vote Of the House "from the
persons having the highest numbers,
not exceeding three, on the list #
those voted for US President" The
vote for vice president would be cam
vassed In u similar manner. except
that In event Of no choice by major
ity Of the voters, the Senate would &C.
lect that Official as between the two
persons receiving the largest number
Of votes. ., .r. .ug.
The committee in reporting the
amendment resolution through its
chairman. Senator Norris, pointed out
that the proposed system might result
In the election Of President and vice
president from different parties-"a
matter of fundamental justice we
ought to be protected BY law In TAX
ing should we desire to do It,"
The amendment would further pro-
vide that the terms Of senators and
representatives should begin the first
Monday In January following the bien-
NAL congressional election and that
Congress should meet each year on
that. date. This would wipe out the
session Of the old Congress after the
biennial elections.
Another provision of the amend
ment would be to change the date of
inauguration Of the President from
March 4 to the third Monday In Janu-
ary. .-N
White House officials In presenting
President Harding's views on the pro-
posal represented the executive rs
feeling that constant changes In the
constitution were unnecessary, and in
some cases unwise, Mr.. Harding, 1t
was said, regarded the procedure un-
der the constitution whereby new
Congress does not meet for more than
year after Its election as one of the
wIsest steps taken by the nations
founding fathers, us 1t allows passions
to cool. .a.,-