The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-04
Changing Inaugural Date

/ first drawn. and It was only when
steps were to be taken TO deal with
her as foreign country that she de-
such an attitude that no one could
tell when the necessary number OF
States would ratify it. Under those
could do was to say that the term OF
office should be for four years. And
that is all 1t did say. The last Con-.
tinental Congress. which had not YET
ed the date. as cited above. on tho
motion of Benjamin Franklin.
Congress did convene in accordance
with the resolution fixing the 4th
ing under the said Constitution" But
there was no quorum OF the Senate.
No telegraphs We're in use then, neitii-
err Were there railroads So It was
not until n month and two days after
that date that 4 quorum was gotten
together. General Washington was de-
clared elected on April 9Th. but no.
tice could not be gotten 10 him for
some ten days. it took about an equal
time for him TO get to Now York. This
was the reason for his Inauguration
on April 30th. When he was sworn In.
in "A building on the site OF the present
Subtreasurg. II was by chancellor Llv-
kingston, who exclaimed. after WASH
ington had taken the oath
Long live George Washington, Pres
ident OF the United States"
History is silent as to how Wash
ington settled the difficulty of having
his term shortened to three years and
/ ten months. II he had insisted or
hdSing his full term. however. all CT
the difficulties now hesettins those
who want to change the date would
have been obviated. a pathetic thing
about the retirement OF General Wasli
inston was letter written by the new
President, John Adams. to his wife
after his Inauguration. In that letter
ne said that there was more weeping
than had ever been witnessed at u
tragedy. but whether from the less OF
a beloved President or the accession
of an unbeloved one, he could not say.
When Adams was succeeded BY JET.
ferson. he moved everything out OF
the White House the night before, and
refused TO greet his successor. The
when Johnson refused to meet Grant
but 1t is said that he was not to blama
for this: that General Grant had said
he would not ride to the Capitol with
Johnson, one writer says that John
Quincy Adams refused to- meet Jack
SON and knew only by tho booming OF
cannon that his successor had been
| inaugurated.
The younger Adams did not follow
the custom of his predecessors, nor
what has been the custom OF his sue
dress He delivered it before ho took
the oath. James Monroe was tho orlgi-
nator OF the custom of holding the
| inaugural ceremonies on the east por-
monies preceding his had been held
in the Senate Chamber. He wanted it
held In the. hall Of the House. With
characteristic caution he notified Con-
| and wrangle between the two houses
| ensued. Monroe cut the Gordian knot
of the trouble by having it on the east
portico where most , OF th hs,s when
| There have been three times In the
| history of the government when the In
auguration date fell on Sunday. Tho
first time was the second inauguration
tof Monroe; the second time at tho in-
auguraton of Taylor, and the last tins
when Hayes was inaugurated. It VIII
| not occur again until 1917. 1t Will also
| occur in 1916 and 1873
1t has been honed since the last In
auguratton that Congress would take
upon itself the building Of great
ing of an inaugural ball, But there
seems little prospect now that an APP
preparation can be secured in time for
| the erection of such a building. For
years the, inaugural balls have been
| held In the Pension office. Each time
the authorities have declared that it
The records in that building could new
err be duplicated, and their !oss would
be an irreparabe one. Tho danger
Of fire Is ever present on these occn-
authorities will have to yield to neces-
| sity again, and that the Inauguration
OF 1903 will not be different from those
which have recently gone before, ex-
cept that there will be change OF
persons III whose honor it is held. The
merchants hotel men and other pa
triotic citizens of Washington viii
money for the success of the tnaugu-
ration, relying on the receipts of the
inaugural ball and from the reviewing
stands for reimbursement. Crowds VIII
surge to the capital city from all over
| the country. tireless Spectators Will
take their places at an early hour
along the line of parade, thousands
Will pack the space around the east
portco OF the Capitol, and another 4th
of March will go down to history.
49, ! j
o-morrow--Navala Target Practice.