Evening star., 1909-03-15
HELP FOR MOVEMENT
Plan for Change of Inaugural
ton Date Approved.
SENATOR DEPEW ASSENTS
Agrees to Last Thursday in April
in Resolution.
TWO GOVERNORS GIVE VIEWS
Draper of Massachusetts, and Dona-
ghey of Arkansas Write to Com
missioner Macfarland
SENATOR DEPEW ASSENTS
TWO GOVERNORS GIVE VIEWS

Added impetus was today given to the
movement for change of the Inaugural
ton day from March to the last
Thursday in April by the announce
ment that Senator Depew. who drafted
IL resolution naming the last Wednesday
IN April as the Inauguration date. would
accept the last Thursday in April in
stead and by letters from Gov. Eben S.
Draper of Massachusetts and Gov
George w. Donaghey of Arkansas in
dorsing the proposed change
Senator Depew announced his willing
ness to accept the last Thursday in April
the new inauguration day in conver
sation with Commissioner Macfarland.
chairman. and Gen. John w. Foster of
the subcommittee of the national. COM
mittee on the proposed change of inau
INration day. who called to see him this
morning. Mr.. Macfariand and Gen. Fos-
Ter explained to him that Senator Hoar
had selected the last Thursday in April
because George Washngton's first in
auguration, the goth of April fell on the
last Thursday in April. and that the
Senate had passed ~ resolution pro-
crnorS of the states and territories gen
orally as ex-offic'o members of the ma
tional committee had committed them
selves to the last Thursday in April.
and that ii was desirable that all in
terested should work together for the
same day.
Last Thursday in April.
Senator Depew said that in view of
these reasons he would advocate the last
Thursday in April He added he had re-
ceived from all over the country, through
the newspapers and otherwise, nothing
but commendation for the proposition to
change the inauguration day. and he
believed if any Legislation other than the
tariff was considered at the extra session
this proposition would receive action
The members of the national committee
Will continue their efforts 10 secure action
at the extra session and feel confident
that if the proposition is brought to d
vote it will be adopted AS soon as the
new Congress is organized ii viii develop
whether action can be had at this ses-
sion. In amy event the national com
mttee will continue its efforts TO interest
senators and representatives. and also its
correspondence with governors and others
from the states
Commissioner MacfarlanU. as chairman
of the national committee. has written
Willis l.. Moore, director of the weather
bureau, asking To bring up TO date the
tables previously prepared for the COM
mttee, showing the weather for a long
period of years on the 4th Of March and
and the last Thursday in April.
Views of Gov. Draper.
Gov Draper in his letter to Commits
sioner Macfarland accepteing membership
on the national committee on the pro-
posed change of Inauguration day, in
dorsed the last Thursday of April as the
best day for the ceremonies.
Il am personally very strongly in favor
Of changing the date of the presidential
inauguration" he wrote. while / real
ize the strength of the arguments that
are made against this change, 1 believe
that it is matter of the very greatest
Importance to this government and nation
that the people should have the right and
take the oath of office. 1t does not seem
10 me that this can be safely calculated
upon on the 4tR of March. The weather
is too doubtful. If the date of inaugu-
ration should be set earlier in the winter
the same arguments against the inclem-
enCy of the weather apply, only with
greater force. 1t may be said that 1t is a
sentimental reason / give as to why the
date should be selected for inauguration
which will at the same time in all proba
bilty, protect the health of the people
and give them an opportunity to see their
President take the oath of office. |
should reply that this government or any
nation that is worth supporting must be
founded on sentiment if ii is to endure or
he worth saving. | am sincerely in favor
Of change for the inaugural exercises to
the last Thursday in April
Gov. Donaghey to Aid.
GOV Donaghey of Arkansas promises
his cooperation in the movement. in a
letter TO Commissioner Macfarland. He
wrote as follows:
II am i'll receipt of your recent com
muniCation asking that | give my consent
10 serve on the national committee on the
proposed change of inauguration day. In
reply | beg To advise YOU that it will not
only he a pleasure to serve said com
mttee, but 10 lend what influence | can
to the end of changing the date of the
presidential Inauguration