The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1913-01-31
BIG SHOW . CERTAIN
WILSON'S SIMPLICITY DESIRE
WILL NOT SPOIL INAUGURAL
CEREMONIES.
BIG PARADE ALWAYS PROPER
President-EIect's Hint That He Would
Like to Walk to Capitol stIrs Up
Discussion--Must Consider Taft's
Wishes.
BY GEORGE CLINTON.

Make the Inaugural
lion ceremonies as simple as posi-
ble." is the request of President-elect
Woodrow Wilson.
Make the Inauguration ceremonies
worthy in dignity and display OF the
great victory of the Democracy" is |
the dictum of most of the Democratic |
leaders in Washington.
The local Inauguration committee |
has been appointed and has gone to
Its work theoretically. 1t is not un-
derstood that Mr.. Wilson's request for
simplicity means that he does not
wish to have huge parade. Parades
the promoters of big inaugural events
say, are representative Of the people,
enjoyed by the people and are in
every way eminently proper. So 1t is
that while the actual Inducing into
office and part of the ceremonies In
which the president-elect has per-
sonal place may be extremely simple,
1t can be taken for granted that there
will be big show" in Washington on
March a, perhaps the biggest show
ever presented to the eyes of the
capital residents and of their visitors
from distance.
One of the agitating questions just
now is whether or not there is any
likelihood that Mr. Wilson will carry
out half-hint he has made that he
would like to walk from the executive
mansion to the capitol where the GER
emonies of taking the oath and of de-
livering the inaugural address take
place.
Would Break All Precedent.
If Mr.. Wilson should walk from the
White House to the capitol he would
break all presidential precedents of
| Inauguration days. Even Thomas JEFF
ferson, whose course on the occasion
Of his oath-taking is always referred
to as the acme of simplicity, rode on
horseback to the capitol, though vir-
tually unattended. 1t may be said that
the streets of Washington in Jeffer-
sons day, certainly the middles of
| them. were in such condition that no
man, president or other, could walk
| far without becoming stuck bootdeep
in the mud.
Gov William Sulzer, who took the
oath of office as chief executive of
New York state on January /, broke
a state precedent by walking from the
executive mansion to the capitol, but
that walk was only short one, the
day was perfect and the outgoing gov
ernor, Mr.. Dix, who had to accompany
his successor to the capitol, was per-
] fectly willing to walk with him. 1t is
not supposed in Washington that Mr..
Wilson had Mr.. Suffers precedent in
mind when he limited that he might
like to walk from the White House
to the capitol, for it is not customary
for a president to take example of a
governor, but 1t is believed that the
president-elect really has desire to
make the walk to the capitol If it can
be done without having it appear that
ne is straining after an effect of Dem
ocratic simplicity and thereby will
overdo the thing and bring it pos
sibly to the border of ridicule.
Mr.. Taft Must Be Considered.
When the president-elect starts
from the White House to go to the
capitol he will be accompanied by the
president of the United States, fol
: Mr.. Wilson will not be president un
til after he has reached the big legis
lative building on. the hill and has
taken the oath of office. The question
is, therefore, would 1t be proper fol
Mr.. Wilson In the capacity of presi
dent.elect to insist that Mr. Taft il
the capacity OF real president SHOULD
, walk the mile and third along Penn
svlyania avenue to the capitol unde
weather conditions which are yer.
, likely to be bad.
Nj. Taft is big man physically, Blu
contrary to general belief on the sub
iect he is a good deal of walker.
can be taken for granted that If Nj
Wilson actually shall request Mr.. Tai
to walk the mile and third with hin
he will acquiesce, but 1t may be tina
in advance some one will suggest I
the president-elect that the presiden
would prefer that the request be nc
made.
Appointments Still Held Up.
The senate is still refusing to cor
firm many of President Taft's al
poiptments. Nearly all the me
named for government places ar
those whose terms have just expired
and of course the Democratic senator
desire that these places shall renal
vacant until President-elect Wilso
/. takes office and names persons c
: his own choosing. This matter G
Democratic opposition to confirmatio
of Mr.. Taft's appointments has bee
pretty thoroughly discussed in prev
GUS dispatches. but new phase ha
come upon the matter within
day.
n II the Republicans in the senat
r were united. and all of them could
+ brought to attend the executive SCI
! sions of the senate, the president
: appointees could be confirmed despit
Democratic opposition, but the Repul
lican senators are at variance, nc
only on legislation. but on ttt wisdol
: OF the appointments which Mr.. Ia