Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-01-22
SHALL 1T BE CHANGED.
Proposition to Make Oct. IL Thanks
giving Day.
New York Herald.

A quiet discussion has been going
on fer some time in the columns OF
religious papers SIS to the propriety oil
fixing hereafter the annual Thanks.
giving day on the 18th of October,
the anniversary of the day on which
the continent of America was discover
ed by Christopher Columbus. The sp-
preaching centennial QS92) tends to
quicken public interest in this great
event.
Ia order to test opinion in regard 10
this matter letters were recently ad
dressed to the governors Of several OF
the states. From their replies it is
found that quite Aumber of them are
Ia favor % of changing Thanksgiv-
ing day to Oct. 12, (2) or else of max
ing the Columbus dHy an Independent
national festival occurring regularly
each year. This would give us a
national festival in each of the four
seasons of the year.
Gov. Hughes, OF Arkansas. writes,
through his private secretary, that he
"saes 40 reason why the change should
not pe approved"
Gov. Harrison, OF Connecticut: II
do not think that the people of this
state would approve Of the change "
but adds, Il think we have too few
holidays, and should not have the
slightest objection to the selection of
the 18th of October as agother."
Gov. Perry, of Florida, thinks, ''if
the matter were duly considered, all
who acknowledge that we are indebt-
ed to Gods goodness for our country s
prosperity and advancement would
feel that we might devote one day out
of the 365 exclusively to public thanks
giving and praise to Him"
Gov. Gray, of Indiana, says: Il
think the day suggested by you would
be as appropriate as any"
Gov. Sherman, of Iowa: ''The sug-
gestion impresses me quite favorably." J."
III fears, however, that the occur
renee on different days of the week
would be an objection. This, how
ever, is the case with Washineton's
birthday, Fourth of July, Christmas,
New Years, and other anniversaries.
Gov. Martin, of Kansas, says:
"There might be historic propriety in
the suggestion" bat fears that Gus
tom" would stand in the way.
Gov. j. Proctor Knott, of Kentucky,
says: I'm my judgment the selection
of the anniversary of the discovery of
America as the annual Thanksgiving
would meet the general approval OF
the people of this commonwealth"
Gov. Alger. of Michigan, does not
like the idea of two Thanksgivings,
but says: ''If the government will
change that day I can see no possible
objection to the states joining"
Gov. Pattison, of Pennsylvania,
begs leave 10 say that know of no
reason why the change in the date
should not be made if tie people de-
sire it."
Gov. Wetmore, of Rhode Island,
like the governor of Connecticut,
| does not approve of abandoning the
| November Thanksgiving, but writes
Il have, however, thought that we,
as people, hava too few public holi-
days, and believe that perhaps an ad-
ditional one, so admirably chosen as
the 18th of October, might well be
added to our list"
Gov. Bate, Of Tennessee: II can
see no objection to changing the an
nual Thanksgiving to thes12th day Of
October, the anniversary of the dis
covery of America. l think the idea
is an excellent one, and one that
would meet with public approval"
Gov Pingree, OF Vermont: "Your
suggestion of the anniversary of the
discovery of America as an appropri-
ate day for the customary Thanksgiv-
ing strikes nae favorably. My only
:ear is that it might be regarded by
the agriculturalists of this country as
rather early and before the end of the
working year Is reached. l should
think, however, that the objection
would not be general"
Rev. John Anketell, OF st. Barna-
bas' chaper, Mulberry Street, who has
been an enthusiastic champion of the
change suggested, says: 'sThe ami.
versary would come at pleasant ses-
sonaos the year, when churches have
harvest home festivals, and October
elections being abolished and congress
not in session, It could interfere with
no public duties"