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Show 0r Government How It Operates By William Bruckart TO CHANGE INAUGURATION DATE THOSE of us whose span of life carries us beyond the end of 1935 are almost certain to witness an epochal change in our government. After more than 150 years, our nation Is about to alter a basic date in our system of government, namely, the date upon which the terms of our Presidents, Vice Presidents and senators sena-tors and representatives In congress begin. In nil probability the change will have been ordered in advance of 193G, but it will not take effect until early in 1937. This fundamental revision is to take place through adoption, or ratification, ratifica-tion, by the several states of the so-called so-called "Lame Duck Amendment" to the federal Constitution. It is the, consensus con-sensus now that its ratification as a part of the organic law Is only a question of time. So, in a few years then we will witness wit-ness the convening of our congress In January of each year for sessions of no fixed duration or life up to one year, and each four years, we will see a President inducted Into office in the same month. Congress now meets in December, of course, but its sessions, started In the odd years, end automatically automat-ically on March 4 of the succeeding even year; the sessions beginning In December of the even years may run through to the following December, If the legislative body so choose. The new amendment will start the sessions on January 3, of every year and they may continue until that date of the next year if the work has not been done in the meantime. In the case of the Chief Executive, he will take office on January 20, of the year following his election. The term of office beginning next March 4, therefore, appears certain to be the one break in a steady succession of four-year terms for President since the formation of our government, for It will be reduced by the difference of time from January 20 to March 4, in order that the succeeding Presidential terms may be for four full years. The purpose of the amendment Is, In the words of its author, Senator George W. Norris, of Nebraska, "to bring congress closer to the people." And there Is not a great deal of disagreement dis-agreement about that. It will make congress a body more responsive to the people, because senators and representatives rep-resentatives who are elected in November No-vember will take office In lust two months thereafter. Those who are defeated de-feated by the electorate will not serve again, unless perchance a session continues con-tinues past the date of the election. At any rate, the will of the people as expressed at the polls In November can be carried Into the halls of congress con-gress within two months instead of being delayed, as Is the case at present, pres-ent, from November of one year to December De-cember of the next year. Considerable research has failed to disclose how the term, "Lame Puck" had its origin. It has long been applied ap-plied to the unfortunate politician who guessed wrong as to what his constituents constit-uents wanted, and was defeated. He has served through another session of congress, however, before surrendering office to a successor. While the new amendment will make congress more responsive, and' closer to. the people, there is nnd probably always will be some lack of unanimity of opinion ns to Its value. The school of thought In congress that opposed the amendment felt there was danger that congress would be too responsive to public will: that there were such things as whims and public demand based upon misinformation, nnd that the present period of delay afforded time for the electorate to "cool off." Those who look at both sides of the question see lliat danger. They recognize recog-nize it is possible for n majority of the citizens of the Republic to be swayed by deningogucry from a raucous minority. Some act of a foreign for-eign nntion might possibly engender such steaming hatred Just In advance of an election as to cause the selection of n majority of congress willing to rush Into war. Or there may be some domestic Issue about which the flames of public sentiment may be fanned, with a subsequent action by congress that would be regretted In later yenrs. On the oilier hand, those who fostered fos-tered the change and who pressed It through congress have contended that this new responsiveness will work both ways. It Is their view that sen-ntors sen-ntors and representatives will "bear from home" more quickly than ever before If sentiment swings back from Ihe point thai It reached at the polls. Plenly of safeguards are said to exist, and Ibis observer Is Inclined to the opinion that they do exist In force. After watching the performance of congresses through more than a decade. I hold the conviction that they represent a ralher good cross section of Ihe population thai elects them. The voters now and then get one who Is heller than the average and now and then put one 111 office who does no credit to Hie district or slate from which he or she comes. But the average aver-age of anything Is the sum total of all. divided by Unit number. Itepre-Heulallves Itepre-Heulallves and senators, as I have seen them, make up a congress represent!!- i live of Ihe public which usually, there- fore, has had Just about what It Is I willing nnd entitled to receive. ffi l'J. W. Nti-rn Nnwiipai.cr Union. |