National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-03-05
HOW IT HAPPENED
That the Fourth OF March BECAME I'm
augurafisn Day,


That the Fourth OF March became I'm
augurafisn Day.
A good many people have wondered
why the 4th of Marchwas selected for Inauguration
day. 1t is asaying among the old inhabitants who
have attended the induction into Office of dozen
Presidents that you can elways expect bad weather
on Inauguration day. It is suggested by some that
the 4th Of March was picked out by our far-sghted
forefathers because Sunday fell on that date less
frequently than on any other. The embarrass-
ments which might be caused by having
the Presidential term expire on Sunday.
dies non in law, were partly demon
strated four years ago. when. to prevent
all future question or doubt. the President elect
was sworn in by the Chief Justice in the presence
of a small gathering at the Executive Mansion on
the evening Of March 5. This course perhaps
would not have been pursued had il not been for
the contest over the election and rumor that the
Democratic candidate intended TO claim the Office
While the Sunday theory Is very ingenious and
plausible, it does not explain the reason why the
4th day of March was selected, for very little
calculation will show that Sunday falls on that
day as frequently any other day of the seven.
The fact isthat the day was fixed by accidental
circumstances, and it is due to the impotence of
the founders of our present Government who
were anxious to put in force the newly framed
Constitution, that Inauguration day occurs at
season whenthe weather can never be relied upon,
except in the fact that it is more apt to be dis
agreeable than otherwise. If the ceremony could
be postponed two months later, so that it would
occur during the first week of May, the weather
would be delightful, and Nature in her fresh YER
nal beauty, would do mere to decorate the city
than thousand grand arches. Asst is now visitors
see our city at season when wears its
most detected look. 1t would undoubtedly
meet WITH popular approval if some one
would move to have the day changed
from March to May. The innovation, at any rate,
would be so harmless in its nature that there
would be for Congress to refuse to change
the dey for Inauguration, as it has already changed
the days for appointing electors and the electors
to vote for President. The only embarrassment to
follow would be met with on the occasion of the
first Inauguration after the change was approved.
when it would be necessary to extend the term of
Office of the retiring President two months or else
have an interregum. For the benefit of the curl
Gus THE REPUBLICAsS historian gives the follow
ing statement of facts, showing how it happens
that the 4th of March is Inauguration day:
In the thirteenth volume of the journal of the
United States in Congress assembled, containing
the proceedings from the 9Th day of November,
1887 to the Sd day Of November 1885," on page 1877,
under date of Friday, September Il, 17ss, the fol-
lowing occurs
A motion being made by Mr. Lee, seconded by
Mr.. Gilman, in the words tellowing:
Whereas longer delay in executing the previous
arrangements necessary 10 put into operation the
Federal Government may produce national in
jury:
"Resolted, That the first Wednesday in January
next be the time for appointing electors in the
several States which before the said day shall have
ratified the said Constitution; and that the first
Wednesday in February next be the day for the
electors assemble i'll their respective States and
a President "Wednesday
in March next be the time and the present seat of
Congress the place for commencing proceedings
under the said Constitution.
A motion was made by Mr.. Darlington, of Fir-
giuia, seconded by Mr.. Madison of the same State,
TO amend the proposition by striking out the
words and the present seat of Congress be the
place" and adding a recital that, as some other
place would be better, the place De left unnamed.
This motion was lost, as also one by Mr. kearliy,
of Delaware, seconded by Mr. Mitchell, of the same
State, to strike out the words And the present
seat of Congress be the place" The motion was
then amended to read as follows:
Whereas the convention assembled in Phila-
delphla pursuant to the resolution of Congress OF
the 2lst February 17S7, did, on the 18th Of Sep
TENDER in the SAME year, report to the United ed
the people of the United States; whereupon
Congress, on the 18th Of the same Septem;;
Der, did resolve unanimously That the said
report with the resolutions and letter ac-
campanying the same. be transmitted to
the several Legislatures, in order to be submitted
to a convention of delegates chosen in each
State by the people thereof in conformity to the
resolves of the convention made and provided in
that caSe and whereas the Constitution so reported
by the convention, and by Congress transmitted
to the several Legislatures, has been ratified in the
manner therein declared to be sufficient for the
establishment of the same, and such Publications,
duly authenticated have been received by Con-
gTess, and are filed in the office of the secretary
Therefore, ...... s-- 49,
'Resoired, That the first Wednesday in January
next be the day for appointing electors IN the
several States which before the said day shall
have ratified the said Constitution; that the first
Wednesday in February next be the day for the
electors assemble in their respective States and
vote for President; and that the first Wednesday
in March next be the time and the present seat of
Congress the place for commencing proceedings
under the said Constitution"
The determination of the question was postponed
until the next day By the State of Delaware, and
the next day, Saturday, September 13, IISS, the
resolution was adopted by the unanimous vote of
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New
York, New jersey, PennsE lyania. Virginia, South
Carolina, and Georgia. There were also present
delegates from North Carolina Delaware, and
Rhode Island, who did not Yete the first and last
named States not having up to that time ratified
the Constitution.
On the LIST of March, 1872, Congress changed the
day for the appointing Of electors from the first
Wednesday in Janury to the Tuesday next after
the first Monday in November in every fourth
year succeeding every election of a President and
Vice President" and on the sd of January, 1915
Congress changed the day for the electors
to vote for President from the first
Wednesday in February. to the first
Wednesday in December. The day for commenc-
ing proceedings under the said Constitution" the
first Wednesday in March, 1889, was the first in
auguration day and asst has not been changed by
congressional enactment, and as it fell on the 4th
day of that month. the 18th of March in every
quadrennial is consequently the Inauguration day
Of every incoming President.
On Monday, July IS. 17SS, committee composed
of Darlington, of Virginia; Edwards, of Connect
cut; Otis, of Massachusetts, and Tucker of South
Carolina, reported the above resolution; but the
fight about locating the seat of government kept it
from passing until September Is, I7SS.