The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1876-11-17
THE FIFTH OF NARcE.
Historical Precedent for Inauguration Day.
From the Cleveland Herald.

p. From the Cleveland Herald.
The fourth Of March, next year, falls
upon Sunday, and the question has been
asked, "When will the new President be
inaugurated-on Sunday, the 4th, CT on
Monday, the 5th?" The question has al
ready been settled by historical precedent.
The Constitution provides that the Pres
ident and Vice President of the United
States shall hold their offices during the
term of four years, but no provision was
made by the trainers of that instrument
when the four years term should commence.
By an act OF Congress, passed September
18th, 1778-the Constitution at that time
having been ratified by sufficient number
of .States-the time set for the inaugura-
tion Of the first President Of the United
States and the commencement of the work
ing Of the new Constitution was the first
Wednesday in March, 1889, that being the
9th of March. In fact, however, the inaug-
uration of President Washington did not
take place until Wednesday, April 39th,
eight weeks after the designated time. In
more than one history it has been errone-
ously stated that the Constitution went
into effect and the Inauguration took place
on the 4th of March, that being neither
the day appointed nor the actual day of
either event. 5. .s- .-...a-
Before the second term of President
Washington the day for commencing the
term of Office was changed. The Act of
March /, 1892, provided that the term of
four years, for which a President and Vice.
President shall be elected, shall in all cases
commence the 4th day of March next sue
ceeding the day on which the votes of the
electors shall have been given. The 4th of
March, 1893, on which by law the second
term of President Washington commenced,
fell on Sunday. We have not before us
anything stating exactly the day on which
Washington took the oath of Office, but
from his known character, and from the
course after proceeding in similar cases, we
little doubt his second Inauguration was on
Monday, March 5th.
The next occurrence of the 4th of March
| in Presidential year falling on Sunday was
in 1921, when President Monroe COM
menced his second term. The Inaugural
ton was On Monday, the 5th. The Nation
| al IntelIagencer of March 9th describes the
scene, and said the oath was administered
by Chief Justice Marshall. The proceed
ings took place in the House of Represen-
| tatives. 9.:s g3Gf-.l. 49, - IA e.zEs Eg.
The third occurrence of this kind was in
1S49, when President Taylor was inaugu-
rated. In this instance, also, the ceremo-
nies took place on Monday, the fifth of
March. q ~ r. ess "a. 1l~...f..:s --.as 3
Next year the President elect will, there
fore, be inaugurated on Monday, the 5th of
March, instead of Sunday, the 4th. There
is, we believe, no special law bearing on
the subject, but the proceedings follow the
general rule that for legal purposes Sunday
is dies non, and Saturday, the 3D. OF
March, begins. This rule is followed in
Congressional proceedings, where it has
happened that Saturdays sitting has been
prolonged until Monday, the records show
ing no evidence Of the part of the proceed.
ings having taken place on Sunday. 19
| Every seventh Presidential term the 4th
of March, on which the term should com.
mence, falls upon Sunday. Unless there
should be change in the duration of the
term tho coincidence will not again occur
until the year 1905. ISL Y1}E1sm f3 re- q