Evening star., 1924-12-13
Congress Likely at Present
Session to Act Against
Repudiated Regimes.
WOULD PLACE NEW MEN
IN OFFICE IN JANUARY
Amendment to Constitution Neces-
sary to Change Prevailing
Practice.
BY WILL p. KENNEDY.


Congress, with exactly 80 seats in the
House to be occupied by new men in the
next Congress, is likely to take progress
sive steps to end this often-deplored
continuance of men in the legislative
chambers after they have been repudi-
ated by the voters.
Legislation has reached such a stage
in Congress that it seems likely to pass
at this session, which would put a new
Congress on the job in January irnme-
diately following its election in Novem-
ber, instead of delaying is control OF
Government for an entire year, or un-
til the following December, in the event
that a session of Congress is not called
after March 4.
Under the pending resolution the term
of the President would also begin in
January instead of on March 4.
Amendment Necessary.
The idea behind the whole legislation
is that an administration or Congress
repudiated in the elections by the peo-
pie should not continue to hold office
contrary to the expressed will OF the
people But an amendment to the Con-
stitution is necessary to change this
condition, and that is what Congress is
now well on the way toward doing.
OF course, even after Congress acts
this proposed constitutional amend
ment must be submitted to the States
for ratification. This will delay the
reform from becoming effective for
perhaps two years or more, and in
that event we may have another
lame duck" session.
The Senate, on March Il last, pass
ed, by an overwhelming vote, reso-
luton introduced by Senator George
w. Norris of Nebraska. Meanwhile
the House committee on election OF
President, Vice President and Repre-
sentatives in Congress had favorably
reported a somewhat similar resolu-
ton on February 19, 1924. Then the
House committee, after considering
the Norris resolution, which had pass
ed the Senate and was, therefore, fur
ther along legislatively. voted to sub
stitute the House resolution for the
Senate resolution and again made
fayotable report to the House, and
the proposal to amend the Constitu-
tion is now on the House calendar,
awaiting action.
Early Vote Seen.
Representative Hays 3. White of
Kansas, chairman of the committee,
has been in conference with the rules
committee and with House Leader
Longworth and has assurances from
them that early action will be allow
ed; that, if necessary, privileged
status will be given this piece of
legislation, so that an early vote can
be had upon it.
Chairman White is very optimistic
that the resolution will pass and
that the differences between the
House and Senate resolutions can
be amicably adjusted in conference
between the two houses. SO that the
State legislatures will be given
abundant opportunity during the
next year to act upon this proposed
constitutional amendment.
Seeks Stronger Rights.
The House seeks to preserve, and
even to strengthen, its right to elect
President in case the popular vote
through the electoral college fails to
do so, and is reluctant to have that
right limited to the arrival of March
4, the Vice President elected by the
Senate then to assume Office.
There are three essential differences
between the Senate and the House
resolutions.
First-The House resolution pro-
vides that the terms of the newly
elected President and Vice President
shall begin on the 24th day of Janu-
airy and the terms of newly elected
members of Congress shall begin on
the 4th day of January. The Senate
resolution fixed the third Monday in
January and the first Monday in jan
uary, respectively. as the dates on
which the terms should begin.
Second. The House resolution spe-
cifically provides that the power OF
the House to choose President con-
tinued beyond the 4th day of March. ,
The Senate resolution terminated this
power on the 4th day of March, and
President shall become President
during the remainder of the term.
Third. The House resolution pro-
vides that sections and Covering
the assemblage of Congress and the
rights of the House to elect the Pres
ident should become effective i'm
mediately upon the ratification of the
amendment, and that the first sec
tion Covering the terms of the Pres
ident and Vice PresidenD should be-
come effective on the 18th day of
December following the ratification
of the amendment. The Senate reso-
luton provides that the entire
amendment should take effect on the
18th day of October after it's ratifica-
tion.
Fear OF Confusion.
Under the Senate resolution the
President will not be elected for four
years, Senators Will not be elected for
six years and members of the House
of Representatives will not be elected
for two years. They will be elected
for varying terms. commencing on a
Monday and ending on a Monday. The
House committee believes that con-
confusion will be occasioned
thereby. and for that reason has fixed
definite dates.
Under the Senate resolution there
would be but two weeks for Congress
to count the electoral votes; for the
House of Representatives to elect a
House of Representatives to elect a
majority. and for the Senate to elect
a Vice President in a similar case.
Under the House resolution a period
of 20 days Is provided. The House
committee believes that a 2O-day
period Is preferable, and in many in
stances may be necessary.
The constitutional amendment as
proposed in the House resolution
would accomplish the fo1iowing:
]. The newly elected Congress will
count the electoral votes and in case
mojority has not been received the
newly elected House of Representa-