Reforming the Constitution

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7064, 25 January 1933, Page 7

Reforming the Constitution

GETTING RID OF THE “LAME DUOKS.” MAJORITY OF STATES RATIFY 20th AMENDMENT. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright NEW YORK, Jan. 23. A message from Jefferson City states the “lame duck” amendment to the United States Constitution received the required ratification of thirty-six States ■when the Missouri House of Representatives approved the measure to-day. The Bill is designed to remedy the anomaly by which the President and Congress elected in November do not take office until the following year.

New Congress to Take Charge in Three Months PRESENT LAW HAS EXISTED FOR 145 YEARS. WASHINGTON, Jan. 23. United States politics shook off on Monday the grip of the stagecoach era with the Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution which proclaims that henceforth officials defeated at the ballots shall have little voice in the Government.

In tho near record time of less than a year, thirty-six States have ratified the “lame duck” amendment. Congress had taken ten years to agree upon proposing. It will go into effect next October, controlling the terms of office of Congress and the President.

Under tho amendment tho Congress elected in November in any year will meet on January 3rd. The President elected in November takes office similarly in January. Under the existing system, established in 1788, in the December after the November elections the old Congress, full of defeated members, known as “lame ducks,” comes back and legislates until March 4th. when it goes out. The new President takes office on that date unless he calls a special session. The new Congress does not meet until tho next December, thirteen months after it 3 election. Side-Stepping the 18th Amendment NEW; DEFINITION OP BEER. WASHINGTON, Jan. 23. The Collier-Blaino Bill to legalise the manufacture and sale of beer and wine containing 3.05 per cent, of alcohol was approved to-day by tho Senate Judiciary Committee.