The Washington herald., 1908-04-26
MARCH 4 ALWAYS BAD DAY
TALK OF CHANGING INAUGURATION DATE
WITHOUT RESULT so FAR
By RUDOLPH DE zAPP.

/ III &sfAA
Notwithstanding the constant egitatioI
for a change in the date OF the Presiden
tial Inauguration 70 a season less danger
Gus to the health Of the persons who turI
out to witness tho ceremony and its par
ticlpants. nothing has been done to &C
eomplish this end.
The next, President of the United States
viii. therefore. be forced to take his oatf
of Office in the presence OF an accIaiminl
multitude exposed TO the treacheroui
March climate. which stands responsible
for long nst.of ensuing deaths.
March was not the day on which
George Washington took his oath Of
ofice as the first President Of the Unitet
States. and the changing of the present
date 10 a season more conducive to the
physical welfare of the participants would
therefore be no smasher Of sacred prece
dents.
The Inauguration Of the first President
Of the United States took place In New
York on April 80 l7ss.
| New York expected that it would be
the capital city of the nation. Congress
feeble gathering as It was. had held its
sessions in this metropolis from 17s5,
Expected TO BE Capital.
In the anticipation OF being the chosen
spot New York felt an impulse IN busl-
ness OF every kind that sent her far on
the road TO the conspicuous position she
now enjoys. With a liberality that to
this very day distinguishes her citizens
900 was contributed to enlarge ard
beautify the city hall for the occupation
Of the new government.
When the changes were completed II
was reehristened Federal Hal" or, as
some Of the newspapers Of that day called
Il, the Federal Statehouse." One OF
them In describing 1t said: This superb
edifice is. upon the whole, superior to
any building IN america, and for its CON-
potency to the great design for which #
is constructed does honor TO the archi-
tect. The citizens OF this metropolis. al
ways distinguished for their publick
spirit. have by their exertions IN this in
stance added greatly 10 the lustre Of
their established Federal character"
Also, with the expectation that New
York was 20 be the capital city Of the
nation, the foundations Of one Of the
finest residences in the country were laid
near Bowling Green. II was intended
for the use Of President Washington and
that OF ali the future heads OF the na-
tion. Il was rot finished. however, when
the seat Of government was removed 10
Philadelphia. and was subsequently occu-
pied By the earliest governor Of the state.
Gotham Makes Other Plans.
New York City made other preparations
for the coming Of the first President.
On the day before his arrival d news
paper had the following TO say: ''In late
Boston paper is the following paragraph:
An elegant Barge is now building in
New York 10 waft the great Washington
across the Hudson. to be rowed BY ten
sea captains. and one 20 act as Cocks
vain The above Barge Is now complet-
edit was launched yesteTday-and il is
a most mastery construction IN that line
It is between forty and fifty feet long
and moulded upon the finest model"
Congress did not meet more than &
month after the time appointed TO count
the votes that had been cast for the first
President and Vice President OF the
United States. It was not until April 6
that this business was accomplished and
that John LangdOn. the President pro
tempore Of the Senate, officially declared
the result
OF course. no one was mentioned for
the first Office except Washington, but
for the second In Importance John Ad-
ans had no less than ten competitors
Sylvanus BOurne-and II was the one
only time that his name is mentioned
anywhere-wss selected 10 notify Mr.
Adams officially of his election, and
Charles, Thomson. esq, was chosen to
perform similar duty with regard 10
Gen. Washington These two messengers
set forth 10 perform their duties on April
I. and both went on horseback.
Adams Arrives in New York.
on April 20 Mr.. Adams arrived in New
York, accompanied by a cayaleade de-
scribed as numerous and truly respect
able" 1t had not yet been determined
how TO address officially the distinguished
men SO recently elevated TO high posi-
tions. and in all contemporary accounts
Mr. Adams is styled His ExceIleney."
which in these days sounds rather pecul-
lar
One Of the most entertaining debates
ever held in the halls Of Congress oc-
Cured soon after this and had reference
10 this subject. The opinions were yaTl-
Gus as to the manner In which the Presi-
dent should be addressed. and there were
suggestions. backed up by CO.
gent reasons for their adoption.
Some wanted "Excellency," others His
Highness" or His H:ghness the Presi-
dent OF the United States and Protector
Of their Liberties; some His Serene
Highness." or High Mightiness. and
there was much to be said for each and
all Of them
But II was finally settled TO be simply
MIR. President" which is a better title
than any Of the others suggested It set
tied the matter. too. for all the Offices. a
similar distinction running-and stiIl run
all Of the departments, the