The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-04-01
THE DATE OF INAUGURATION

The simplest and most obvious re-
forms are precisely those that are
found most difficult of practical
accomplishment. For more than a
hundred years the unsuitableness.
we might almost say the crime of
at Washington take place on the 4th
of March has been clear to everyone.
1t is a mere matter of climate. The
records show that the weather on that
date is reasonably sure to be abemina-
bic. The routine prescribed for the in
auguration requires it to be held in
participating officially that they re-
main for some considerable time with
heads uncovered. Remembering that
many of these peope are far beyond
middle age. and that they may be ex-
posed to biting winds with cold rain,
the arrangement stops only a little
short of murder.
Every four years some one or more
persons fall victims to this needless
exposure. 1t could be obviated in
either of two simple ways. An open
air Inauguration is not compulsory.
1t is simply a matter of custom that
the president should appear at the east
front of the capitol surrounded by
numerous assemblage, and there, in
the open air and before a great crowd
of people, take formally the oath of
office. Naturally, no president desires
to break the tradition, which is sup
posed to have something peculiarly
popular and democratic about it. If
some courageous man were to throw II
boldly aside he would probably re-
ceive high praise instead of blame. A
president might just as we'll take the
oath of office in the supreme court
chamber or in the rotunda of the capt.
tol, or anywhere under cover, and the
people would merely be deprived of a
spectacle. If the date is not changed,
that is what. in mere humanity. viii
have to be done.
We can preserve the ceremony by.
selecting a more suitable date There
is nothing fixed or sacred about the
4th Of March. The 30th of April or
any other date would do as we'll, and
the date should be selected to accord
with the climate. AT any time after
the latter part of April fine weather in
Washington is assured. A little legis-
lation would be necessary, but this
might be combined with another re-
form quite as imperative. Not only
ought the date of Inauguration, and
with it the date when the life of con-
gress expires. to be changed, but the
time of meeting of congress should be
similarly altered to conform to mod
ern ideas and modern methods of
transportation. No state would en-
dure the system prevailing in the ma
ton, where a congress elected by the
people does not meet until thirteen
months after its members have been
chosen; and In the meantime legisla-
ton is carried on by body that re-
ceived its commission two years be-
fore, and a portion, possibly even a
majority, of whose members have been
actually rejected at the polls.
The arrangement is not only absurd,
but Ubiquitous. The terms and times
Of congress ought to be changed so
that the newly elected body should as
semble and organize within a short
time after its election, that the old
congress should die by limitation on
election day. and that the Inauguration
date should be made to conform to cli-
matte conditions, personal comfort and
safety of human life. Our title to
common sense is seriously impaired by
our failure to make these changes, or
even to show any considerable prog
ress toward them.