The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-25
THE NEW PRESIDENT.
MAY HAVE no STAND IN THE RAIN
WITH HIS HAT OFF.

Is Plain "Mr." For Four Years.
Must Know Precedence and Eth
Ipette From A to Lizard.
Copyright, 1896.
New York. Oct. A.--In a few days the die
will be cast and the choice made for the
next President.
The incomer. though a man long promi-
nent in politics, begins Immediately after
to Ego to school," He has much to learn
before he can take his seat as President
of the United States.
His school books will be the advice of
his predecessors, a lesson from the judge
of the supreme court who administers the
oath of office, and the constitution of the
United States. Certain things are pre-
scribed for the President to do. Others
he does from long-established precedent
Chronoogically in the order of events
exactly as they occur. the first thing a
President has to learn is self-denial. His
oath of Office is administered in the open
exposure upon the east capitol front. and
from there he delivers his inaugural adj
dress.
A me-honored custom with the weather
bureau is to provide drizzly, sleety rain
at this time, and the new President, with
barred head, promises to forget himself,
his own welfare his opinions and his am
billions in the interests of the people. The
rain baptizes his head with this decision
The people look on from their comfortable
platforms, sheltered by umbrellas, and APP
plaud The President Is practicing self
sacrifice. But he will have a cold in his
head without dOIlbf Cleveland had n mild
attack of grip after his last inaugural
Whew, how Il rained at 1880, the hour for
the inauguration addressl
The proceedings before the inaugural ton
require study on the part of the incoming
President. His duty is TO be in Washing
ton March 4, at 10 o'clock, ready to go to
work. His term of servitude is four years,
dating from that hour. Custom makes him
do more.
The day before the Inauguration tho
President-elect, accompanied by his pfi-
vate secretary, arrives In Washington.
There Is always crowd to meet him at
the station and from the minute he regis
tiers at the hotel with his "sute''--in other
words, his wife and relatives, he must hold
an informal reception. He must take his
primary lesson in affability. No matter
If they do press in while he Is taking his
monday bite to urge a postoffice appoint
nlent. No matter IL Mrs. Brown from Co
bunkus, does arrive with the coffee and af-
ter-luncheon smoke to beg button off the
Presidential coat. Luncheon, coffee, cigars,
all must be given up, and the President
must smile and smile again.
In the afternoon the President-elect, like
any new hired man, goes to call at the
white house upon the old President His
object Is to notify him that he Is in
Washington, and Is ready to assume the
| duties OF office. He mGsfes a caM of ten
fs...N a- nd ~ oh =.
in an hour the old President, with his
secretary, calls al the hotel and notifies
| the incoming President that he is ready
| to deliver up the keys of state. In the
! evening all dine together at the white
| house.
The next morning, the 4th of March, the
| new President goes to the white house at
10 O'clock In a little while the Senate
| reception committee calls there and all get
into carriages to go to the capitol for the
| inauguration. There are the two Presi-
| dents, the two cabinets, the head of the
army the commander Of the navy and a
| large citizens escort. A few prelfminaries
in the Senate and the President finds him
self upon the porch Of the capitol address,
| ing the crowd-in the rain.
A duty which the President has to learn
| early In his career is the writing of har-
| monious messages. Not only must he
write correctly but he must be able 20
| word his messages and proclamations so
that they go to the hearts of the people.
| This often requires study on his part.
The most trying proclamation ever is
sued was the Thanksgiving message sent
out by President Arthur few weeks af-
| ter Garhed's death. Guiteau was then
| on trial, and feeling ran high against the
| incoming administration, as well as
| against the assassin. A few wild rumors
| credited Vice President Arthur with Con
| splracy."
TO the presidency bad to send out proc
lamation of Thanksgiving. There was
some curiosity to see how he would word
| such a message at such time. But his
supreme tact rose to the occasion. After
| a few words of Introduction be boldly
took the bull by the horns. He said:
AT this period, when the falling Leaf
admonishes us that the time Of our sacred
| duty is at hand, our great nation still lies
| I'm the shadow of a great bereavement,
| and the mourning which has filled our
hearts stll finds its surviving expression
| towards God; yet the countless blessings
! which have showered upon us during the
past twelvemonth call for our ferYent
| gratitude"
! Then followed thanks for all the horrors
that had not visited US. Thanks for no
| pestilence, no famine, no war, no riot.
| Thanks for everything that had escaped
us No mention Of the calamity that had
| befallenl
II was a mighty effort OF tact and it
made friends for him. The incoming
| President should always learn tact. To
be without It has made enemies for many
a good executive.
The newcomer must renounce titles
He can no longer be the Honorable Will
lam" George Washington settled this
years ago. A British soldier addressed
him as George Washington. etc. etc. The
father Of his country replied that he want
ed no etcetera.. oh" said the officer,
"etcetera means everything"
Yes. but II may mean anything" said
Washington significantly, thinking no
doubt. OF the English king and his title.
An attempt was made by the first con-
gress to give the President a title The
House decided that the President should
be addressed as "hls excellency." The
senators fancied "his high mightiness,"
but the House OF Representatives fought II
and finally In 1888 it was resolved that the
Presidents address and title be ito the
President of the United States"
The President must learn to bear physi-