Evening star., 1909-03-09
Reason Inauguration Occurs
the 4th of March.
ACT BY EARLY CONGRESS
Fixed Time for Beginning Work
Under the Constitution.
WASHINGTON 'sW0RE' IN APRIL
Suggested That Oath Be Admins
tered as Usual, But Ceremonies
Deferred Until Later.

tered as Usual, But Ceremonies
Deferred Until Later.
Very few people arc aware why We
set apart March 4th as the beginning of
the term Of a new President" said
student of the Constitution TO a Star re-
porter in a discussion of the proposed new
date for inauguration. "To find out how
this date came to be Inauguration day We
NUT go back to the time of the Continen-
tai Congress. BY a resolution that Con-
sress, February q. 1857. directed a con-
vcntion to assemble at Philadelphia Pa
May Il, 17s7. to arrange form Of govern
ment Of more Stable character than the
one then In use. September Il. 1857. this
convention reported back to the Congress.
sitting in New York. n. V, a Constitu-
ton for the people of the United States.
'Nhereupon.' says the Journal Of Con-
gress. September 13, 17sS Congress on
the 18th Of the same September. did re-
solve unanimously, THAT the said report,
with the resolutions and letter accom-
panying the same. be transmitted to the
several legislatures in order to be submit
ted to convention of delegates. chosen
conformity of the resolves Of the conven-
tion made and provided in that case:
And whereas the Constitution so reported
by the convention. and by Congress trans
mitted to the several legislatures, has
been ratified In the manner therein de-
clared to be sufficient for the esta ablish-
ment OF the same and such ratif1cations,
duly authenticated. have been received
by Congress and are filed in the ONCE of
the secretary; therefore,
80 Resolved. That the first Wednesday
in January next be the day for appoint
ing electors In the several states which
before the said day shall have ratified
the said Constitution. that the first
Wednesday In February next be the day
for the electors to assemble in their re-
spective states and vote for President.
and that the first Wednesday in March
next be the time and the present seat of
Congress the place for commencing pro-
ceedings under the said Constitution
Article OF the Constitution OF the
United States provides: The ratification
of the conventions of nine states shall
be suficient for the esta blishment OF the
Constitution between the states so ratify-
ing the same
Nine states ratified as follows: Della
ware. December I. 1877; Pennsylvania.
IL, 1887: Georgia, January >. 17SS: Connec-
ticut. January 8. 17SS: Massachusetts,
February 6, 17Ss: Maryland. April 2s.
1883: South Carolina May 23 17sS; New
xbdmpSulIC, JQIC ltcS
Fell on the Fourth.
1.-The first Wednesday In March next
fell upon the 4th. Congress took this
as a precedent and used that date for
the commencement OF each new admin
istration. The first Congress under the
constitutional form Of government as
sembled at New York, n. Y. March 4,
1883. as arranged by the resolution Of
both houses was not present until April
:. when the electoral vote was counted
and Washington was declared to be
elected President and Adams Vice Presi-
dent.
News Travelled very slowly in those
days. and as there were many details
to be arranged to carry out the first in
augural Washington was not inducted
into once until April 80. 1883. at New
York. The act Of March /. 1892. fixed
the commencement Of the presidential
term as follows: The term Of four
years. for which President and Vice
President shall be elec shall, In all
t-ses. commence on the 4th day Of
March next succeeding the day on which
the votes Of the electors have been
given (Section 152 r. 81
The Constitution (article II. section -
says: The executive power shall be vested
in a President of the United States OF
America. He shall hold his Office during
the term of four years. etc. 1t was i'm
possible for the trainers of the Constitu-
tion to fix a day for the commencement
OF the presidential term of office: no
power to arrange any matters regarding
the starting OF the new form Of govern
ment was given to the constitutional con-
vention. 1t was merely instructed to
draw up a constitution, and Congress, as
has been shown by the resolution Of Sep
tember 13, 11SS, arranged the starting g
time of the new government.
The day on which the votes Of the
following act of Congress (chapter 30.
page 52S. VOL !. Supp. r. 81:
Be 1t enacted, etc. That the electors
Of each state shall meet and give their
next following their appointment. at such
place In each state as the legislatures of
such state shall direct.
"-Sec. 4. That Congress shall be in
session on the second Wednesday in Feb
ruary succeeding every meeting Of the
electors etc.
Section l of this act fixes the date of
the day on which the votes OF the elect
ors have been given Section compels
both houses to be In session. so that the
electoral count may be taken before the
end of a presidential term I'm March.
Do Not Mention Inauguration.
1T will be noticed that the resolution
and acts Of Congress do not contain in
any case the word inauguration So
Iiected with March 4. viz: the inaugural
address. the review of troops and civilian
organizations, etc, have been established
by custom.
Attempts have been made to change
the date OF inauguration, but all have
failed These efforts were centered upon
amendments to the Constitution of the
United States because, under the Consti-
tuition, the ofhcial term is fixed at two
years OF members of the House of Rep
resent atives (articie l. section .. and
the Continental Congress having fixed
March 4 as the time for the commence
nent OF that term; the commencement
and termination OF each succeeding House
OF Representatives was thereby estab-
amendment to the Constitution. each rep
resentative being entitled TO his full term
OF service and the people to their con-
etituttonal representation.
"On the other hand. II Is contended
that inauguration day could be deferred
until q later date than March t. because
the President and Vice President could
be sworn in on that date, and, as the
Senate is a continuing body and is al
ways convened in extraordinary session
by the outgoing President to confirm the
new cabinet, etc. the wheels Of the gov.
ernment would turn without pause. The
new President could choose day in
April or May for the delivery OF his ad-
dress and the observance of the other
ceremonies.
The recent heavy snowstorm and the
hurried changes of official procedure. SO
that President Taft was inducted into
ONCE In the Senate chamber and thus
-