The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1925-02-05
WASHINGTON LETTER
Especial to Sank Centre Herald)

Especial to Sank Centre Herald)
Washington, Feb. AUST a month
from today, the nation will witness
what may be justly termed an unus
ual historical event. On March A
the twenty-seventh President of the
United States will administer the
same oath that he took on the same
date in 1909 to the thirtieth Presi
dent. Few have considered this dra
matte situation but it is easily ap
parent. By vitue of his office a!
Chief Justice of the U. S. Supreme
Court, William Howard Taft stand
ing on the Capital steps clothed in the
dignifed robe of his office will reaC
the oath or affirmation of fidelity tx
the Constitution as prescribed by this
document. Calvin Coolidge, by area
son of his election, in a word or two
will pledge his allegiance to his coun
try and the principal ceremony il
thus at an end.
Great changes have occurred since
the Taft Inauguration and these will
be noted next month, especially or
Inauguration day. When Taft be.
came the Chief Executive the cere.
monies were marked by pagentry.
The 1925 affair in compliance with
the Presidents wishes will be very
simple. His decision in this matter
has brought about petty protests es-
pecially from those who would benefit
socially or financially from spec
tacular inaugural Mr.. Coolidge,
through the sudden and tragic death
of Predisent Harding, took his oath
of office at midnight in an old New
England farmhouse when his father,
a notary public, read the Constitu-
tional oath without ceremony of any
kind.
There are many of the socially am
bilious who would make the inaugu-
ration an occasion for clarifying the
presidency. Mr.. Coolidge, however,
has other ideas and does not ap-
prove of these Ziegfeld methods in
tation to an inaugural ball is some
thing to talk about for years many
Washington women and society lead
ers in other sections of the country
are insistent that social function of
this character should be held whether
or not the plan receives official en-
dorsement.
: Mr.. Coolidge has frowned upon a
! inaugural ball. Ingenious society
women are now trying to palm off a
charity ball as the GROWING event of
the inaugural ceremonies. The Pres
ident has made it clear that he does
not propose to dance at this affair
which naturally takes away some of
the zest of the promoters. He has
even disapproved of the idea of hav-
ing troops parade on Pennsylvania
Avenue. Unfortunately, there are
many people who see nothing unless
it glitters. The Chief Executive re-
CARDS his job in a serious way and
does not want his Inauguration embel-
lished with theatrical effects.
, The retiring Congress, especially
the House, finds itself in difficulties
trying to put a Dun and Bradstreet
classification in a political sense, on
their members. Republicans are en-
deavoring to enforce party regularity
by reading irregulars out of the Coun-
ellis. 1t is an undertaking laden with
great risks and the minority is watch
ing the proceedings in secret glee.
The hubub over the confirmation
of Harlan Stone will undoubtedly
.subside when the Department of JUS
tice presents its case against Senator
Wheeler in the Federal courts. Upon
the judicial determination of the Sem
.ator's guilt or ihnocense under the
accusation of official wrong-doing Mr..
Stones job as a member OF the Su-
preme Court will hinge.
The folks back home often COM
plain that Congress takes itself too
seriously. The human equation is
never submerged. To keep an even
keel in official life, sense Of humor
is essential, indeed saving grace for
many who otherwise would appear
ridiculous Congressman Byrnes of
South Carolina, Democratic leader,
in calling attention this week to the
evils of bureaucracy, amused the
House by showing some of nonsensic-
al publications issued at considera-
BILE expense to the taxpayers. One
of the bulletins was the "Diary of
Home-making Activities advising
women to jot down their thoughts and
doings during the day. The House
was also told that departmental of,
fetal wanted large appropriation
from Congress recently in order that
he could investigate how many hours
a woman might work without being
fatigued. 1t shows the tendency of
minor Federal officials to provide
themselves with employment regard
less of the value to the country at
large. The President and Congress
are determined to WELD the axe on
appropriations. There is wild
scramble for Congressional, patronage
as the government payroll is cut.
1t is indeed fortunate for the con-
stituents of some legislators that they |
ard not obliged to listen to speech |
making in Congress. The official |
are usually exhausted |