Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-23
IN HONOR DE- THE DAY
COMMEMoRATIoN OF WASHING
TON ANNIVERSARY.

The Columbia Historical Society at
meeting held yesterday afternoon at the
Shoreham discussed the proprety of
change in the date Of the Inauguration Of
the President of thel United States The
suggestion that April 80 be adopted met
with the approval OF the members but
action preparatory to the submission of the
subject to Congress was deferred
Justice Hagner. who was to have acted
as host at the dinner, was detained at home
by the illness of Mrs. Hagner whose death
was announced this morning. Those pres
ent expressed great regret upon the an
nouncement Of the cause of his detention,
and expressions of this regret were public
ly made by Mr.. Lewis j. Davis and Mr..
John A. kasson
The meeting was intended to be a celebra-
ton of the birthday of the father of his
country. The guests were received by Mr.
John A. kassoT, the president of the So
ciety. who stood near the head Of the hail.
which was ado ned with a portrait of
Washington surrounded by American flags
The national co1ors were used in the
general decorations, and this patriotic set
ting was appropriate to the sentiments that
services of the first President While the
discussion was purely a social one and Of
fered an opportunity for the coming togelh-
err of citizens who are identified with this
organization. yet a brief time was devoted
to an expression of sentiments suggested by
the day.
Mr.. Kasson. in spirited Address, spoke
of the heritage in character and in service
which Gen. Washington had left to sue
ceeding generations. He was followed by
Mr.. Lewis J. Davis, who dwelt more es-
pecially upon the interest which Gen. Wash
ington had manifested in the founding and
development of the city. He brought out a
number of interesting facts, and quoted
from an exempified copy of Washngtons
will the enumeration of his real estate
holdings in this city, which consisted of
several lots on the Eastern branch and two
houses on North Capitol street
Personal Traits of Washington.
Mr. A. R. Spofford in an entertaining
fashion talked about the personal charac-
teristics and traits of Washington, and
reached the conclusion that he was a man
of like passions with his fellow men. Mr..
Spofford spoke of the work which had been
accomplished by the Columbia Historical
Society in bringing together material of
much value and Importance relating to the
District affairs in the past. Seven vol
umes have already been printed and the
eighth, he said, is in press. He spoke of
the meritorious character of these contri
buttons to the history of the District
Upon the conclusion of the remarks
which had special reference to the day,
Mr.. kaSSOn suggested that it might be
well to consider the advisab ility of the So
ciety calling the attention of Congress TO
the propriety of changing the date of in
auguration from March to April 80. 1t
seemed to him, he said, that the present is
propitious time to urge this matter, es-
pecially in view of the great popular vote
received by the President at the last cleo
ton. There might be less Discrimination he
said. to extend the term of his service for
couple of months than possibly would
be the case with another occupant of the
White House.
The Suggestion Approved.
The idea of making a change met with
general approval, as the discussion that fol-
lowed indicated, but it was thought that
action on this subject ought to be deferred
to regular meeting Of the society. as the
present was social rather than a business
gathering. This course was adopted
During the discussion Mr. John Joy Ed
son referred to the organization, with Com
missioner Macfarland as chairman, of a.
committee. four years ago which in con-
siderfng the proposed change secured the
cooperation of the governors of number
OF states and other public men. A report
favoring the change was made by the COM
mlttee and presented to the House Judi
CARY committee, but the latter did not APP
prove the plan.
Remarks on the subject were made by
Messrs. ]. ]. Hemphill, A. R. Spofford and
M. l. Weller.
Expression of Appreciation.
The exercises of the dav. which were
purely informal, were conducted after ap-
probation had been expressed to Justice
Hagner for his hospitality on this occasion
A handsome collation. was served and the
guests fingered until after O clock