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Editorial
January 7, 1921
The Kemmerer Republican
Kemmerer, Lincoln County, Wyoming
What is this article about?
The editorial calls for a constitutional amendment to shorten the post-election transition period for the President and Congress from four months to one, arguing the current system is outdated given modern transportation and communication advancements.
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Full Text
Now comes the quadrennial protest over our antiquated system of installing our President in office, which this year takes the usual form of Constitutional amendments, which may some day be adopted, if the people are sufficiently persistent. It is proposed that the President, Senators and Representatives, chosen at the November elections, shall take office in the following month, instead of waiting nearly four months. This is only common sense, applied to changed latter-day conditions, and should be put into effect.
Our whole machinery for electing and inaugurating a President was designed to apply 150 years ago, before the day of railroads, telephones, and telegraph, when communication by mail was slow, and the journey to Washington took days instead of hours.
It would seem as if a President, whose policies had been emphatically repudiated at the general election, would be glad to turn over the reins to his successor as soon as possible, but as it is, he is compelled to remain in office a third of a year, during which time he can do nothing, while the new administration is compelled to mark time for four months before it can begin to carry out the expressed will of the people.
Our whole machinery for electing and inaugurating a President was designed to apply 150 years ago, before the day of railroads, telephones, and telegraph, when communication by mail was slow, and the journey to Washington took days instead of hours.
It would seem as if a President, whose policies had been emphatically repudiated at the general election, would be glad to turn over the reins to his successor as soon as possible, but as it is, he is compelled to remain in office a third of a year, during which time he can do nothing, while the new administration is compelled to mark time for four months before it can begin to carry out the expressed will of the people.
What sub-type of article is it?
Constitutional
What keywords are associated?
Presidential Inauguration
Constitutional Amendment
Lame Duck Period
Election Timing
Government Reform
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Reform Of Presidential Inauguration Timing
Stance / Tone
Supportive Of Constitutional Amendment For Shorter Transition Period
Key Arguments
Proposed Amendment To Have President, Senators, And Representatives Take Office One Month After November Elections Instead Of Four Months Later
Current System Is Antiquated, Designed 150 Years Ago Before Modern Communication And Travel Advancements
A Repudiated President Should Turn Over Power Quickly, But Is Forced To Remain In Office For A Third Of A Year Doing Nothing
New Administration Must Wait Four Months, Delaying Implementation Of The People's Will