Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-02-21

one OF the worst pieces OF work the present
House OF Representatives has done Is the defeat OF
the propose I constitutional amendment changing
the date OF Inauguration day and the beginning or
the Congressional terms from Mar b 4th 70 April
3otn The whole q bate on the subject was dip
pant and puerile In tone. Mr.. Grain, who antago-
nized the senate resolution with one OF his own
providing for the opening OF Congressional ses-
sions on the nrst Monday In January, made
speech OF sneering comment on the senti-
mental considerations which prompted return TO
the Inauguration day hsllowed by George WASH
ington's induction into ONCE. And yet what, ex-
cept sentiment prompted Mr. Grain TO select the
beginning OF JANUARY the date for opening Con-
gressf He would say, perhaps. that IL was the be-
ginning OF a new year. But how came II TO be so?
The choice was purely arbitrary. The Julian cal
endar, sanctioned by much longer usage than the
Grexorian, which we hold 70, would put the 1st OF
January and the beginning OF our year about
where the middle OF January Is now. Be-
sides our cultured Latin ancestors began
their year with March, the month OF
the ram II Is pure sentiment that has
caused every change made In the calendar
since days and months began 70 be counted; for no
practical end was served by shifting the date for
the new year-the year was neither older nor
newer for the change ana the earth made It's revo-
lutions with unvarying accuracy before dials or
clocks were heard OF or primitive man had learned
Mr.. Grains contempt for the strictly American
sentiment which would multiply the monuments
Of George washingtons benercent career nnds lit
tie Justification In the substitute he proposes,
which confines It's recognition or human virtues 10
the wisdom OF Pope Gregory XII
But Mr.. Grain argued further that although IL
had been contended that the fourth Of March fell
In the most nckle season OF the year as regards
weather In this latitude, he had never heard OF a
mans refusing o nomination for the presidency
through fear OF an attack OF pneumonia brought
on BY exposure at his Inauguration. This Is
simple boys talk, unworthy to be met with serious
argument It was well matched by Mr.. Reeds
supporting plea that there wa no Justification In
reason or good sense for adding two months to
the present term OF a Congress. One who has
served In the House Of Representatives as long as
Mr.. Reed knows well enough that the short ses-
sion OF Congress never all the business before
it well cleane' up and out OF the way. Two
months more would give it chance 10 do some
thing that IL was sent here for. As IL Is now,
with the interruption caused by the holiday recess
the short session Is at least half over before the
House gets well settled down 10 work.
The members who, In the course OF yesterdays
debate, opposed the Hoar amendment because
they did not like Innovations established
customs will have the same objection, II con-
sstent, 70 the Grain resolution Mr.. Grain him.
self Will certainly have 20 drop his air OF trining
and come down TO sober reasoning II he expects TO
win over any OF the really able men who supported
the Hoar resolution. There are arguments enough,
doubtless, In favor OF his scheme for what woul
be practically a continuous session OF Congress,
and, n the 30th OF April plan does not appeal TO
the minds OF the House, by all means let the
other be considered. The present arrangement Is
positively bad IN some OF its features and incon-
velient In others, and possibly, when the Ice has
once been broken by the adoption OF Mr. Grains
amendment, Mr. Hoar's may get another cnance
and carry the day, as it probably would have In
the Forty ninth Congress Representative Tucker
had not been accidently prevented from pressing it.
Whether or not Mr.. Bouteile has got all the In
formation he sought In his resolution OF inquiry
about the battle-iags, he has certainly obtained
some that he did not seek Briefly stated, the
secretary OF Wars answers shows that twenty
one Confederate flags were gwen up during the
two years Immediately succeeding the war; mostly
ON the written order of Secretary stanton; since
the 7th OF March, 1885, nineteen Union flags
have been surrendered to their original owners BY
order OF the present Secretary or War, and three
In obedience 10 joint resolution OF Congress; one
Confederate nag was lent In 1887 ~ General
Benet to ex-Brigadier General Clark OF the
Union army. who has not yet returned It; and
since then no Confederate or rec Iptured Union
nag has been issued or lent by the War Depart
ment, and no Confederate flag has at any time
passed from the Departments custody 10 any OF
the states lately In rebellion II DOUBTLESS placed
the President In an awkward position TO issue an
order for the restoration OF the battle-1ags and
then revoke II, but the hauling OF the political
drag net has, In this case. resulted In discourage
ingly small catch, and the fisherman Is very nat
urally reported as dissatisfied
Ann Aan va 1,o