Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-02-24

stitution changing. the federal calen-
may begin its sessions In January fol-
lowing the election, and the President
of the United States. may be inauga-
rated on. the third Monday. Of. that
month. This Is similar to a resolution
which Was adopted by the Senate dur
ing ths last Congress-, failing, Of con-
sideravSsn in the House.
This proposition is entirely different
from that which was advanced. a long
time ago to insure q more clement sea-
son for the presidential inauguration
than March 4. It grows out Of that
proposal, however. though in reverse.
of the idea. Under tlle procedure now
advocated the inauguration would be
held in midwinter, when the chances
Of mild weat her suitable for an out
door ceremonial would be- smaller even
than at present.
The main argument for the proposal
just approved by committee In the
Senate is that It brings tho Congress-
into session shortly after its election.
and thereby permits an earlier ,legiala'
tive. response to the will Of the peo-
pie as expressed in the election. Only
about two months would e(apse be-
tween election and session. It miAht
be urged that this effect could aswAll
be produced by changing the date df
the election. from November to-. sayl
the latter part Of February. permit
ting an assemblage Of Congress and
the inauguration about the 1st Of May.
That would entail the lengthening Of
the life OF one Congress-, just as the
adoption Of the present proposition
would entail the shortening Of the
term Of one Congress, and. Of the in
cumbent President.
It has been heretofore pointed out
that one Of the difficulties involved in
the plan proposed by tho Norris reso-
luton relates to the canvassing Of the
electoral vote and the, discharge. by
the House Of Representatives Of the
duty of electing a President in case
of the failure Of the electoral college
to effect a choice. It is proposed to
overcome this difficulty by providing
that in case Of a deadlock in the cleo
toral college and in the House Of the
expiring Congress the Vice President
elect shall act as President until q.
choice is effected. or in the event that,
the. Senate has likewise not. elected; a.
Vice President that some official desig-
mated by Law shall serve as Executive.
The difficulty about this is that in
case the expiring Congress. sitting as
canvassing body and supplementary
electoral college, should fail to effect
a choice that choice would be thrown
over to the new Congress-, and there
would be an incentive for deadiocking,
the two houses In order to effect such
a postponement until after the expira.
ton Of the old Congress.
As the case now stands four. months
elapse between election and ineuE,lrar
ton. While this Is ample time for de-
termining the election Of the, Execu.
tive 1t is. as experience has shown on
one occasion, none too long a period.
The presidential contest of1s76resulted
in a statute which makes quite. certain
the designation Of a President before
Inauguration day. but even with the
greater facility for the collection. and
transmission Of returns It is still pos
sible that every day Of the intervening
four months may be needed for that
purpose.
The lapse Of four months, between
election. and inauguration 10, none too
long as a preparatory period. The
President elect must choose his cab
met and make other selections for adj
ministrative and diplomatic Offices. He
is subject to tremendous pressure. He
must consult with a great many pso-
pie. He must secure some rest from
the campaign in order to, enter once
with his energies conserved for the
great task that lies before him.
An. earlier session Of Congress after.
election. can be assured by merely PRO
viding that the newly chosen national
legislature shall assemble immediately
following the Inauguration. A date
suitable for the ceremonial. which by
tradition attaches to the Induction Of
President into Office, can be chosen
and the election can be- scheduled &C.
cordingly. It would seem to be. bet
ter thus to date the election with ref.
erence to the Inauguration and tho as.
semblfng Of Congress than to; date the
/! inauguration and the assembling from
the November election.