Evening star., 1935-02-03

which Representative Brooks File
A study of proposedslegislation shows
that Congress has been asked to change
the date of the presidential and con-
gressional elections from November to
October; to provide four-year term
for Congressman and change the date
of convening of Congress several days
later and abolish the electoral college
by amending the Constitution so that
the electors will vote direct for Presi-
dent and Vice President. Representa-
tive Fletcher and his committee will
consider these proposals
Due to his extensive work in the
field of business education Repre-
sentative Fletcher is widely known
throughout the country and has ad-
dressed business groups in the home
city Of practically every member of
the present House and Senate, the
records show.
Mr.. Fletcher is quoted as saying
that in the many business forums he
has conducted 1t has frequently been
brought to his attention that there is
urgent need for providing definite
economy in election methods. Senti-
ment in this State among party and
business leaders for one-houSe
Legislature is a definite indication of
new trend toward election reform
and ECONOMY in election costs.
People Know Wants.
In Ohio, where the President is
enjoying great popularity and where
former Senator Fess, who represented
the Republican reactionary group, was
completely showed under in an over
whelming defeat by the popular three
term Governor, Vic Donahey, students
of political science, thinking in terms
Of practical politics, declare that the
people of this State know today for
whom they want to vote. They are
not keen about designating electors to
do the voting for them.
Aside from the average American
maximum of power in his exercise of
franchise, there is the more stable
and practical side of the picture where
by the cost of elections may be ma
terially reduced. Also, it is argued
that a direct vote will prevent the
selection of a President with fewer
popular votes than his opponent, a
situation that has already happened
in our history.
With the broadening of executive
powers and the attention of the Ma
tion focused on the Capitol at Wash
ington. students of constitutional gov
ernment in many colleges and schools
Of this State have begun discussions
on legislative proposals designed to
bring fundamental changes in our po-
litical life and change our election
machinery.
In checking over the bills now be-
fore Congress, we find pending before
the Committee on the Election of
President, Vice President and Repre-
sentatives in Congress, proposals that
practical politicians state will have to
be adopted if the election machinery
and those selected thereby are to be
made directly responsible to the will
Of the people.
The bi-annual measure by Repre-
sentative Lea of California to provide
for the election of the President and
Vice President by direct vote of the
people and the abolition of the elec-
toral college is scheduled for hearings
this session.
4-Year Term Proposal.
Another measure, by Representative
Vinson of Georgia, chairman of the
Committee on Naval Affairs, proposes
an amendment to the Constitution
whereby Representatives would be
elected for asterm of four years, such
terms to begin with the term of the
President.
Another House resolution of similar
nature, by Mr.. Deem of Georgia, pro-
poses an amendment to the Consti-
tuition providing a four-year term for
Representatives, the electors in each
State to have the qualifications requi-
site for the electors of the most nu-
merous branch of the State Legisla-
ture.
Then there Is the Duncan House
Joint resolution which proposes by
constitutional amendment to choose
Representatives every four years, the
electors of each State to have the
qualifications requisite for the electors
of the most numerous branch of the
State Legislature. Duncan's bill
further provides that the Representa-
tives elected according to the terms of
his amendment shall be divided into
two classes, beginning with the first
election after the ratification of the
amendment. The term of the mem
bers of the first class shall expire at
the end of the second year whereas the
term of the members Of the second
class will expire at the end OF the
fourth year. In this way, as nearly
as possible, one-half of the member
ship of the Lower House will be chosen
every second year.
Another measure of vast importance
to the present membership is the pro-