Evening star., 1902-01-22
Responses of Governors as to Inaugu-
ration Day,
ALL WILL SERVE ON COMMITTEE
Expressions From Gen. Boynton
and Other Local Men.
CONGRESS MAY NOW ACT

ming TO receive responses to the letters
sent out by him asking the governors of
the various states of the Union to serve on
national committee to bring about a
change in the date of the inauguration of
future Presidents of the United States.
From the replies so far received, all of
which are favorable, the state executives
are apparently in hearty sympathy with
the movement, and it would seem that at
last some sort of definite and concerted ac-
tion is to be taken toward securing a more
favorable time of the year than March
for the conduct of the chief executive of the
nation into his high office.
The District Commissioners were asked
by the inaugural committee of 1901 to take
up the matter of securing change Of date
ana to appoint national committee for
that purpose. 1t was at once deemed ad-
V1sable that the governors Of all the states
should be asked to serve on such a commit
tee, as tc procure the desired change 1t Will
be necessary to urge an amendment to the
Constitution by Congress. This action of
the national legislative body would have to
be ratified by the states. In view of the
length of time that will necessarily be con-
sumed in carrying out the proposed reform,
1t Is possible that an attempt will be made
to have Congress act on the matter during
the present session.
Some of the Replies.
AS has been heretofore stated, the nation
al committee will be composed Of the COVER
nors of the states and few representative
citizens of the national capital, the Dis
trict Commissioners cooperating. num-
Der of acceptances have also been received
from the local members
Governor A. D. Gambler of the state of
Georgia writes:
II beg to acknowledge receipt of your IA
vor Of the 18th instant advising me that
the committee in charge of the inaugural
ceremonies of 1901 has requested the
Commissioners Of the District of Columbia
to designate national committee to take
steps to procure change in the date for
the inauguration of the President Of the
United States. and asking me to act as a
member of the said committee.
II thank you for the invitation and will
with pleasure act with the committee. 1
have for many years believed that there
ought to be change in the date for the
Inauguration Of our Presidents. A worse
time. In my Judgment, could not be found
for this important event than the 4th Of
preferable The 3Oth Of April comes at
much more pleasant season Of the year,
and so far as historic association goes it is
equally appropriate as the 4th Of March,
because the first President was inaugural
ed on the Both of April"
1t will be remembered that in the dis
cussion Of change in the inaugural date
in the past the 3Oth of April has always
been suggested as perhaps the most pref
erable day for the event.
Gov. Albert B. White of West Virginia
writes:
Your favor of January 13 received,
inviting me to act as a member of a. ma
tfonal committee to be appointed by the
Commissioners Of the District Of Columbia
to take steps to procure change in the
date of the Inauguration of the President
of the United States. / will take pleasure
In serving on such a committee. Thank
Ing you for your consideration in this mat
ter. am, with respect, very truly yours"
Gov. Stone Favors, Change of Date.
Gov. William A. Stone Of Pennsylvania,
in accepting, says:
II have your favor Of the 18th instant
and shall be glad to serve as member of
a national committee to take steps to pro-
cure a change in the date Of the Inaugural
ton of the President Of the United States"
The following letter Of acceptance was
received from Gov. A. T. Bliss of Michi-
gan:
II have at hand your letter of the 18th
instant, in which you invite me to serve
| upon the committee appointed by the Com
| missoners of the District Of Columbia to
| take steps to procure change In the date
| for the Inauguration of the President OF
| the United States. have the honor to ac-
| cept your invitation and will serve upon
such a committee"
From Gov. John Hume of the state OF
Delaware the following interesting reply
| was received:
1--WE have your favor of January 13.
| and the matter to which you refer has our
| able to render your committee in this mat
| ter it will be our pleasure to SO perform.
| We are, yours respectfully"
| Governor A. M. Dockery Of Missouri
| writes:
"I am in receipt Of your favor Of the 18th
| instant and beg to say that 1t will afford
me pleasure to act as a member of the
committee to which you refer"
tor
"Your favor Of the 18th instant received.
I accept the position you kindly tender me
| on the national committee, as to change
| of Inauguration day"
Local Expressions of Opinion.
| The following responses have been re-
ceived from some of the local members OF
| the proposed national committee:
From General H V. Boynton:
IT have received the request Of your
| board to act as a member Of the committee
| to take steps to procure a change in the
date for the Inauguration Of the President
| Of the United States. Please accept my
| thanks for this designation. 1t will give
me pleasure to help in such ways as you
may suggest"
From Mr.. John W. Foster:
II shall be glad to do anything to bring
about this desirable reform"
From MIR. c. ]. Bell:
1 dan IN recelpt VI yours oi the lotn IN
stant, advising me OF my appointment on
| a national committee to take steps to pro-
| cure change in the date of the presiden-
| tial inaugural / will take great pleasure
| in serving on such committee"
From Mr.. s. w. Woodward:
81 have your favor of the 18th instant,
| advising me of my appointment as a MEM
her of the national committee to take steps
! to procure q change in the date of the in
auguration OF the President of the United
States, and It Will give me much pleasure
to accept"
From Mr.. Thomas w. Smith:
ut gives me pleasure to accept member