The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-03-04
The Presidential Race

1 One of the results of the great war has been to diminish the popular in terest in the presidential election to
 be held in the United States on the
 seventh of November next. While the professional politicians have been vigorously stirring the political pot, the people at large have yet to be aroused to anything approaching en- thusiasm. The belief entertained in some quarters that the United States has no interest in the European holo- caust that rises above the dollar mark is effectua1Iy disproVed by this wide spread apathy of the people toward l their own most important political question.
 The fact remains, however that a year from today will be Inaugura- ton Day, when President Wilson will begin another term or his successor will be inducted into office. It is yet Ktoo early to make any prediction as to the probable opponent of President
 Wilson in the impending presidential race That issues which have grown out of the European war will pro- foundIy influence American politics this year is certain. What effects these new elements will have on the prophet would attempt to foFetell
 The fact that the next Inaugura- ton Day will fall on a Sunday recalls a curious incident When Zachary Taylor was to be inaugurated presi-
 dent in 1849 the fourth of March fell on the Sabbath, and the General re- fused to be inducted into office on l that day. He did not take the oath of office until the ceremony of in
 auguration was performed on the fifth of March. At that time the law made the president pro tenn of the
 Senate in line for the presidency, in
 case there was no president or vfce-
 president. This gave rise to the claim
 that David R. Atchison, at that time
 president pro tenn of the upper house l of Congress is entitled to recogni- l ton among the chief executives of the
 United States as having been tpresi- dent for a day. It is declared that ] under the law Atchison became presf-
 dent of the United States at noon on 1 March 4, 1S49, and legally held that
 high office until General Taylor was 1 iinaugurated on the following day.
 This president for day." was a native of F'rogtown, Ky, and was a
 senator from 1841 to 1855. After his
 brief term as president he became
 vice-president of the United States
 King. This was another accidental
 honor. President Taylor died in 1850, and Vice-President Fillmore succeed i ed him, while King became president 1 of the Senate and acting vice-presi- 1 dent. The latter was elected vice
  1 his induction into office, and Atchi-
 son assumed the duties of the office.
 The president for day died fifty years ago, but his name is comment orated by the Kansas city of Atchi-
 son.
 The first Inauguration Day in the United States was celebrated on the Hast day of April, 1789, when Gen. 1 eraI Washington took the oath of of
 flee in Federal Hall, New York city, where the first Congress held it's ses-
 sions. Washington rode to the hall i in a coach of state. and was wildly
 cheered as he passed through the
 streets The vicinity of the ancient
 hall was crowded with people, the
 New Workers of that day having as great 8 fondness for spectacle of
 any kind as have those of today.
 Washington took the oath of office
 in a balcony overlooking the street.
 That ended the formal ceremony, but | the New Workers made day and a
 night of it. Crowds of merrymakers 1 filled the streets and taverns until l the small hours of the following morning, intoxicated with liberty and | JinIlid beverag ages.