Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-12-06
ELECTORAL COLLEGE
WOULD BE ABOLISHED
Congress Named in November
Would Take Seat Follow.
ing January.
lIARbINc Is AGAINST PLAN
hoid Present System Provided BIZ
Nations Foundcrs to Prevent
Hnsty LcEislatIon.
fRy Associated Press.1

Il BY Associated Press1
w NASH1NGTON. Dec. 5.-Memhers
OF the new progressive bloc In Con-
Eress got into action today. but at
inc very outset ran into White House
opposition.
Led by Senator Norris. Republican.
Nebraska. bloc members sitting ON
the Senate Agricplturc COMMITTEES
obtained favorable report from
mat committee for constitutional
amendment providing for abolition OF
the electoral college and FOR direct
election of President and Vice-Pres,
dent and for abolition OF the long
period OF time usually elapsing be-
tween congressional election and
the regular meeting Of the new Con-
GTess. Such an amendment forms
one or the rianks In the platform
adopted by the bloc at It's organiza-
ton meeting last week.
Harding Opposes Change.
Opposition on tho part of President
iiardinS 10 any such change in tho
ConStitut!on was expressed by n
Nhte House spokesman soon after
III" senate Agriculture Committe.
resolution was laid before the Sem
al. and assigned to place on tho
calendar of business Some admin
.Stratt"n leaders in the Senate like
wise voiced their disapproyal OF tho
amendment, and tonight II appeared
mat any efforts by the bloc to press
IN" proposal might bring on a fight
which would test the power OF tn,
progressive faction.
Inc proposed amendment would
provide specifically that "the choic.
OF each State for President and Vice
president shall be determined at a
general election OF the qualified elec-
tors or such state" thus permitting
voters To east their ballots directlv
tor President and Vice President.
The vote would he convassed by tho
senate and House meeting In Joint
session, each state being given as
many votes for this purpose as It
mas Senators and Representatives.
Provision for Election ny IIouSe.
II such canvass by States should
uis'l"se lack OF majority. then the
PRESIDENT would be chosen by ma
jority vote OF the House from the
persons having the highest number.
not exceeding three. on the list OF
those voted for as President" Tho
vote for Vice. President would bs
canvasscd In n similar manner. ex-
ccpt that In event of no choice by
majority OF the votes tho Senate
would select that official as between
the NV" persons receiving the largest
The committee. in reporting the
amendment resolution through It's
chairman, Senator Norris, pointed
out that the proposed system might
result in the election OF President
and NiceFresidcnt from ,Iirrerent
rarties--a matter OF fundamental
Justice We ought TO be protected by
law In taking should We de-
sire to do IT,"
Terms Would BrGin in January.
The amendment would further pro-
vide that the terms OF Senator'S and
Representatives should begin the
hrst Monday in January following the
biennial 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 clectious.
Another provision OF the amend
mcnt would be tn change the date
ut inauguration OF The President
from March 1 To the third Monday
in January.
Whit- House officials in present
ing President Iiarding's views on
IA. proposal represented the execu-
tive as feeling that constant changes
in the Constitution We're unnecessary
and in some cases unwise. Prcsi-
dent Harding, 1t was said. regarded
thc present procedure under the
whereby new Con-
srrsS does not meet for more than
IA year after It's election as one OF
the wisest steps taken by the ma
tons founders, as IL allows passions
10 cool.
The Agriculture Committee In Its
report. however. took an opposite
View. declaring ";hc present condi-
u nm nnnl On IN Il