Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-03-16
THE o U WARNS UP
New York Herald-Trihunel

IL IS somewhat startling 10 find the house Of rem
resentatives warming up to the idea of reforming the
federal political calendar changing the date Of the pres
idential and vice presidential inauguration, getting rid
OF "iame-duek" short sessions, letting the new congress,
not the old, canvass the electoral vote and declare the
results, and doing other things at which the lowe-
branch has hitherto shifted contemptuously.
When George +. Hoar Of Massachusetts, started the
campaign 70 do away with March 4 as the getaway day
OF national politics a distinguished house leader pooh-
poohed the senate's calendar revision as n scheme TO
prevent aged senator's from catching cold on inau0nrs-
tion day. The Hoar plan pushed the inaururation sbssa
to April 80, the date Of Washington's first inauguration
"a time Of balminess and beauty at the national can
itai. 1t also extended the short session two months
and thus promised some relief from legislative Jams
and flibustering. But the Spartans Of the house were
never interested In these projects. They had the Gar
heed parliamentary steam roller and looked down on
sne senate as a time-wasting body. They did not care
now bad the weather might Be on March 4 for senate
portico ceremonials or Pennsylvania avenue parades.
Later Senator Norris took up the task or father;ca
ana passing calendar amendments. The housa cor.;r-
ued to disregard them. This session. however tbsra
mas been a strange awakening OF interest in what was
heretofore considered a purely academic gesture. The
mouse seems 20 have discovered that the Norris changes
may have some practical and personal bearings. II vou
look at them the right way. So the Norris Mar III.
long ago abandoned April 80 and pushed inauguration
uay PACK amid the rigors Of late January. Is now he;r.
welcomed in the lower branch as promising two real.
isee advantages. One is a shifting Of the short ses-
si0n % the even year so rs to force adjournment he
lore the congressional primary season Is under a.
thus giving the incumbent a better show To- rsron;'
nation The other is to utilize the recorstrrr.;or
scheme 50 as to ~lengthen the terms Of represert.t;v..
from two years 10 "A four.
human nature ran true to form in Wednesd,v,.
DEBATE In the house. Never before has the d.s;r,nil;tv
OF some amending action been presented there VIII
suen learning versatility and enthusiasm. The novel
Hes which the house apparently values most-tbe svcr.
year snort session and the four-year-term-are altar
thoughts which will hardly commend themselves 10 the
senate mat body set out merely to end the alame-
uueA sessions to hobble filibustering and TO close the
present extravagant and illogical gap between the elec-
ton OF a congress and the opening Of its first regular
session. Inc houses prejudice against change has van
'sneo completely. II now wants more change than the
senate ever wanted. Action has been brought within
range of possibility. But IL would be bad policy 10
overload or denature the Norris amendment with housa
Innovations. This amendment has stood the fire Of
criticism for many years and seems highly acceptable
to public opinion.