Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-25
How the Day Was Chosen for
Inauguration.
INTERESTING FACTS
INDUCING THE VARIOUS PRESI
DENTS INTO OFFICE,
How Washington Was Sworn in
Cleveland Took Part in Four Pa
rades-Elaborate Pageants.


Written 1or The Evening Star.
1t simply happened that the first We'd
nesday in March," prescribed as the time
for commencing proceedings under the
newly made Constitution fell upon March
A. March has stuck in the nations craW
ever since and even the most skilled
legislative surgeons feel timid about con-
Quoting an operation for removal. Its IN
clemency has caused the death of one
President, and, doubtless, of thousands OF
inaugural participants. Boreas almost
invariably stores up his most repre-
hensible behavior for that date.
The ship of state was launched on
March T. 1889, but there was no naviga-
tor at the helm until April 80 Congress
meeting, and adjournments were neces-
sary from day to day until April =, IL
spite of repeated and urgent calls 10
members. Practically all of our leg1s-
lators of that day were farmers, loath 10
leave their estates until the spring seed
was sown. On the day of the first quo
rum the electoral vote was counted,
Washington. and Adams being declared
elected. Committees were thereupon sent
to look them up at their homes, where they
had remained. Adams appeared on April
20 and took the vice presidential chair In
Old Federal Hall, New York, then the
Il.
ued from day to day until the 25th, when
the houses learned that the first Presi-
dent had received notice of his election
and had agreed to attend at any APP
pointed time 1t was found that prepara-
lions could not be made before Thursday,
April 80, and 1t was ordered that tho
father of his country be then received
by both houses, in the Senate chamber.
Marched to Church.
Washington after being conveyed over
the Hudson in a barge, was received with
acclamation." On April 90 Congress had
resolved Ito attend the installation of the
President of the United States at - O'Clock
tomorrow in the Senate room, and after
ward to attend him to divine service at st.
Pauls Church" Washington was staying
at Governor Clinton's residence, on Cherry
street, where a carriage was drawn up
shortly before noon. In 1t he seated MINI
self accompanied by Colonel Humphreys,
his aid de- camp, and Tobias Lear, his pri-
vate secretary. He was escorted to Fed
aral Hall by a civic procession and a booy
of regular troops-for the volunteers who
had helped free their country had returned
to their farms. ITO the end that the oath
of Office may be administered in the most
public manner" Vice Preside--t Adams con-
ducted General Washington to the outer
gallery after formal reception by both
houses which had appointed special in
augural committees. just as is done n
present times. Six army officials and a
civilian served as assistants to these COM
mittees. Chancellor Livingstone admins
tered the oath in the presence of multitudes
lining the streets outside and crler MADE
proclamation: Long live George Washing
ton President of the United States" Presl-
dent Washington returned to the Senate
chamber and delivered his inaugural adj
dress Shortly afterward the whole assem-
blage accompanied the President TO 81.
Pauls Church, where prayers We're reao pS
ID.
reioicings and at mig 1T there was brllllant
display of fireworks.
Thus was the first inaugural conducted by
Congress, which now proposes to engineer
all future ceremonies of the kind, taking
the responsibility and expense from the
shoulders of District of Columbia citizens,
who for many years have had to conduct
subscription ball and enter generally INTO
the show business in order to pay the nee
essary bills.
First Fourth" Serene.
For his second inauguration Washington
was driven from his house, the Morris man.
sion, Philadelphia, to Independence Hall, in
a coach and six Two gentlemen with
wands" opened the way to the Senate
chamber. The oath was administered by
Judge William Gushing of the supreme
Court "in the presence of an immense
concourse of his fellow citizens, members
of both houses of the United States leg1S-
lature and several foreign ministers, con-
suls &c" There was also large assem-
blage of ladies in the Senate on this occa-
sion.
On this first 4th of March inaugural the
weather was extremely serene, for,'-said
a newspaper of the day following-'ProV-
idsnce has always smiled on the day OF
this man." Washington made an inaugural
address of but a few words Three nearly
cheers were given as he left the hall.
Four wears later the ceremony took place
in the House of Representatives, Phlladel-
phia rather than the Senate chamber.
John Adams the new President, occupied
the Speakers chair Vice President Jeffer-
son. Gen Washington, the retiring Pres
ident and the secretary of the Senate were
seated on his right, the Speaker and clerk
of the House on his left and the supreme
Court at a table in the center. TIE diplo-
matte corps, heads of the departments and
Gen. Wilkinson, commander-ln-2h:ef OF the
army were also present, and some ladies
occupied seats on the floor. IN the evening
the mel chants of Philadelphia gave Wash
ington a banquet of 240 covers, in the Cir
Gus building. The remains of the feast
were sent to the prisoners in the Philadei-
phia jails and to the sick in the hospitals.
jefferson Inaugural Myth.
The myth that jefferson rode alone to the
Capitol, hitched his horse to fence paling
and walked INTO the Senate unattended
should be tucked away with that of George
Washington and his Ratchet. The news
papers of the time repudiate it in detail.
Jefferson's was the first Inauguration held
in Washington. He was met at the door
of Conrad e. Munns tavern, on New Jer-
sey avenue near the Capitol, by a militia
company of artillery, and procession OF
citizens which escorted him 10 the Capitol,
whittier he went afoot, and where salute
of artillery was given MIN. Inc horseback
story was canard invented by one Jrhn
Davis an Englshman, who !njec.ed 1t into
a book of American travels. TO give his
story the color of truth ne stated that he
was an eyewitness to the incident, al
though it afterward proved that he
was not in Washington at that date. The
floor of the Senate chamber, in which JEFF
ferson took his oath. is now that of the
law library of the Capitol. Later he was
escorted back to his lodgings, although The
Presidents Palace" was at his disposal.
At night there was q general illumination.
Adams, the retiring President was con-
sDicuous by his absence At sunrise he had
departed for his home Massachusetts.
Various reasons have been advanced for
this action, but chagrin over mis- failure 20
receive a second election was generally &C.
cepted At Jefferson's second induction into
Office the employees of the Washington. navy
yard turned out in procession.
The ceremony transferred to the
House of Representatives when Madison
came in He left his mouse on ii street
under military escort. Emerging from tho
Capitol after the ceremonies, Re passed to