The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-11
wAsH1NaToN's INAUGURATION.
The Celebration To Be Had on April 80
The Event in History.

early history as a nation. 1t is nearly
fourteen years since these observances be-
gan with the ceremonies in Massachusetts
In memory OF the encounter at Lexington,
April 10, l775, and in the interval Phila-
delphia has had two great days in honor
Of the signing OF the Declaration OF indie
pendence the following year, and Of the
framing OF the Federal Constitution in
1887.
The scene now changes 10 New York, as
the time approaches to observe the hun
dredth anniversary OF Washington's inau-
guration az President Of the United States
in this city, April 80, 1850. Was WASH
ington innugurated in New York; And
how did he happen TO be uaugurated on
the 30th Of April, when all cur Presidents
have entered Office on the 1th OF March,
Such questions ms these have undo ub edly
occurred to very large proportion oil the
people who have read IRON time to ime OF
the arrangements for the coming e, Zebra
ton.
The last article OF the Constitution
framed by the Convention OF 1887 had
provided that "the Publications of the con-
ventions OF nine States shall be sufficient
for the establishment OF this Constitution
between tho States so ratifying the same"
New Hampshire, which was the ninth,
signed liz adhesion 10 tho new form OF
government on the Dist OF June. l7SS
and the duty thereupon devolved on the
Congress OF the Confederation OF making
the necessary arrangements for setting the
new machine in operation. There was
first long and drenry discussion as to
where tine seat OF government should be
fixed, but decision was finally reached
in favor OF New York. At that time the
present metropolis WIS not the chief city
OF the country. The census Of 1890 gave
Philadelphia population OF A., 500, against
only 30, l3l for New York; and although
the latter thereafter grew much more the
rapidly, ii was not until 1910 that II had
pulled up 10 u practical equality with
Philadelphia.
On the 18th OF September, 1883. Con-
grcss passed resolution directing that
the choice Of electors OF the President and
Nice-Prcsidont should take place on the
first Wednesday In January, 1882 that
they should meet in their respective
States on the first Wednesday in February
and give IN their votes; and that the new
Congress should meet in New York on the
first Wednesday OF March. The Constitu-
ton provided that each State shall APP
point, in such manner as tho Legislature
thereof may direct, u number Of electors"
etc. II WIS therefore obvious that q
popular vote was unnecessary, and "a tho
interval before the choice OF electors was
brief, and the facilities for comm unication
were few, no attempt was made TO secure
an expression OF opinion by the people at
last IL in a hn l..
Island aud North Carolina had not yet
ratified the Constitution, and 50 could
not participate in the election. Penn
sylvania, Maryland, aud Virginia passed
laws providing Tor popular elections, and a
modified form OF popular election was
adopted IN New Hampshire aud Massa-
chusctts, by which, in the former, the
people virtually nominated electors, but
the actual appointment was reserved for
the Legislature. aud in the latter the peo-
pie brought In ballots for two candidates
In each district, and the Legislature chose
one Of these two for each district and the
two ut largo. The vote OF New York was
lost through u contest between the two
branches Oithe Legislatures as ~ their 70.
Specliyo riglfs IN the matter, AMI in New
Hampshire ,sslmilaf controversy was pro
lOngud until nearly midnight OF the day
fixed 10y law. la the other six States the
Legislaturcsappoiniod tho electors without
difficulty.
The Constitution provided that the cleo.
tons should vote Tor two persons, and that
the Que having the greatest number Of
votes lii majority should bc President.
Without amy formal nomination, and with
out any agreement even among the cleo
tors OF the Fcdvrilist party, everybody east
one Ut his votes Tor Washington when the
various colleges met early In February.
lie was thus elected President for four
ycars from the time fixed ior the ostab-
lishment OF the new Government, which
WIS the first "Wednesday In March-in
l7Sp the fourth day Of the month. but
lac dad not become President on the ith OF
March. II WIS not until the 9TH OF April
that quorum appeared la the Senate,
and meanwhile, OF course, nothing could
bc done. Ga that DAY John langdon,
Senator from New Hampshire, was elected
president for the sole purpose Of opening
and counting the votes for President Of
the United States" the House accepted
an invitation 10 appoint tcllurs aud Join
the senate; the president opened aud
counted the votes, and Washington was
declared elected.
II WIS eight days later before Washing.
ION, then at Mount Vernon, received
communication duly notifying him OF his
election. On the 10th OF April hc set out
for New York, aud his progress TO the seat
OF government was continual ovation.
Even after hs arrival the Inauguration
was delayed for several days, while Con.
grvss debated the form or title by which
the Chief Executive should be addressed.
A committee Of both houses finally agreed
upon q report, which was ratified 10y Com
gfre, that the address should be simply
'tho President Ut tho United States"
About noon uu the 3Oth Of April Wash
IN gion was escorted to the old City Hall IN
Wall stryci, whore Congress. held III scs-
sinus, AMI hc took the oath Of ollcr on
halcOhy in front ui the Senate Chamber,
the spot nov being marked by the statue
erected icW years ago, returning 10 the
senate Chamber 90 deliver his inaugural
address AilcrWarl lao proceeded with
the whole usscmhlugc ON foot toSt Pau's
Church, Whcrc prayers suited to the occa.
Sion were read by u Hahop Of the Protest
ant Episcopal Church, who had boon ap-
pointed ono oi the chnplius Of Congress.
Ia the evening lhcrr WrFu brilliant illum-
iultions unl fireworks
Thus it happened that Washington be-.
came President In New York and that his
inst term lacked nearly two months ol
Tour years. Efforts have been made Ia
Congress ui late years 90 SECURE the sub.
mission ul an amendment ~ the Constilu-
ton which would change thc time ior in
augurting future Presidents to the 30lh
oi AuTil. IA lutn much morn uurspnhlp tbun