The morning times., 1897-03-01
If Inauguration Day
Were Only April 80


ington, alluding to this subject, said
Most happy would il be if the 30th of
April, on which the first Inauguration of
Washington took place in 1888, could
henceforth be the date Of future inaugu-
rationS, as il might be by slight amend
ment TO the Constitution giving as il would
much-needed extension to the short ses-
sion OF Congress, and letting the second
century of cur constitutional history be-
gin where the first century practically
began"
he first paragraph of the second section
OF the first article of the Constitution
writes Mir. Curtis, provides that the Houseof
Representatives shall be composed OF mem
bers chosen every second year by the
people of the several States. This neces-
sarily implies that the term is for two
years. When this question was pending
in the constitutional convention Mr.. Els
worth moved that members OF the lower
house be elected for one year. Mr. Rut-
ledge proposed two years; MIR. Jenfer
three years. Mr.. Madison, in secondng
the motion for three years, made a strong
argument on the text that instability was
one of the great errors OF government. He
declared that three years would be abso-
lutelynecessary for member of the House
to form proper knowledge of his duties
and the interests OF the State he repre-
sented. Mr.. Gerry, in reply, pleaded for
annual elections, las the only defense of
a people against tyranny He said that
triennial elections would he the prelude
TO usurpation, and he was as much against
q triennlal House as against an hereditary
executive. On the question OF striking
out three years, several States voted yea,
three no. and one State was divided. Two
years was then inserted by u unanimous
vote OF the convention, aud on Saturday,
September 13, 1888, the congress OF the
confederation passed the following resolu-
ton:
Resolved, That the first Wednesday
in January next he the day for appointing
electors in the several States which, be-
fore the said day shall have ratified the
said constitution; that the first Wednesday
in February next be the day for electors
to assemble in their respective states and
vote for President, and that the First
WedneSdayin in March next he the time and
the present seat Of Congress New York;
the place, for commencing the proceed
ings under the constitution
In accordance with this provision, the
Senators and Representatives OF the First
Congress met in the city of New York. on
the first Wednesday of March, 1888, which
happened TO be the ith of that month.
Nearly four years after, Congress passed
an act, Which was approved March l, 1872,
OF which section II reads as follows:
And be it further enacted, that the term
OF four years for which a President and
p praS baI hn oil E,all Ia
all cases commence on the 4th day Of
March next succeeding the day on which
the votes OF the electors shall have been
given
This act still stands upon the statute
books, and Is the only law governing the
date OF the inauguration A that time
the weather was not matter of import
ance, and was not taken into considcra-
ton. The Inauguration of Presidents was
a ministerial act, not attended by much
ceremony. In 100 years there have been
twenty-seven inauguration days. Twelve
of them We're pleasant; twelve We're stormy.
There Is 10 record of the weather on the
other three days During the first fifty
years there were thirteen inauguration
days. Eight Of them We're pleasant, two
were stormy, and the weather OF three is
not reported, During the last fifty years
there have been fourteen inauguration days
Only four of them We're pleasant: ten were
stormy.
President Harrison, while revie wing the
procession on the day Of his Inauguration.
and watching the soldiers and citizens
tramping through the slush that was ankle
deep upon the paVements, with their gar
ments soaked with snow and rain, remark
ed to a gentleman standing near him.
This storm Will cost more lives than a
battle
And the mortality reported in the news
papers as due to expos ire, not only among
those who We're engaged in the procession,
but also among the spectators, confirms
his opinion.
An examination of the newspaper reports
of the Inauguration ceremonies from Wash
ington to Cleveland may be summarized
as follows:
Washington, at the city of New York
April 80, 1889 A beautiful springday
Washington, March 4, 1898, at Phila-
delphia No mentionis n ade of the weather
in the newspaper reports, but the inference
is that it was pleasant. as great crowds
were upon the streets enjoying the event
John Adams, March 4, 1897, at Phila-
delphia No reference to the weather in
any Of the newspapers.
jefferson, at washington, March 4, sol
THE sun shone brightly throughout the
day"
jefferson, March 4, 1905 Cold, rain and
snow: very disa greeable weather
Madison, March 4, II 500 "A beautiful day
Madison, March 4, 1S13-"A perfect
spring day; tn esun shone bright"
Monroe, March 4, 1917 "A radiant and
delightful day"
Monroe March 5, 1S21-"The day was
disa greeable, snow and rain having fallen
John Quincy Adams, March 4, 1925
1.-THE weather was good"
Jackson, March 4, 1s29-"One Of the
balmiest days OF spring. ;
jackson, March 4, 1S32-No reference
to the weather.
Van Buren,, Ms4oh-4 Il s37-"A bright
and beautiful day
Harrison, William H, March 4, 1S41-
weather cold and cloudy; very disagree
able above and under foot
Polk, March 4, 1S45-"Wet and dis
agreeable, clouds Of umbrellas darkened
the streets Snow falling while the in
augural address was delivered"
Taylor, March 8, 1s49-''A bright day" :"
Pierce-March 4, 1S53-'Weather very
unfavorable; heavy snowfall; law, north
west winds.''
Buchanan, March 4 1e57-"A faultless
spring day.
Lincoln, March 4 1854 clear. bright