Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-01-06

1917. on their way to the
Capitol.
Mrs. Wilson was the only
woman present when her hus-
band took the oath of Office
for a second term during the
simple ceremony, with only Of
f1cials present. in the Presi-
dents room Of the United
States Capitol on March 4,
1917. This was a prelude to
the formal inauguration cere-
monies held on Monday,
March S.
Mrs. Eisenhower will be pres
ent at a similar ceremony at
the White House Sunday, jan
uary 20. because the official
Inauguration date falls on Sum-
day this year and the inaugu-
ration program will take place
on Monday. January 81.
Mrs. Rutherford B. Hayes,
who was a pioneer in many
avenues of endeavor of her
day. stands out in White House
chronicles as one of the most
important members of the cast
Of the dramatic administering
of the oath of Office to Ruther-
ford B. Hayes by Chief Justice
Waite in the red room Of the
White House. Saturday, March
3, 1877; at the very time
guests were assembling in the
blue room for the dinner given
zy President and Mrs. U. S.
Grant in honor Of the Presi-
dent-elect and Mrs. Hayes.
Two Presidents
March 4 fell on Sunday that
year and the inaugural cere-
mony was scheduled for
Monday, March 5. Thus on
Saturday night and Sunday
morning. there were two duly
sworn in Presidents Of the
United States and incidentally
two first ladies. in the opinion
Of some authorities of that
day.
The secret was we'll kept.
The dinner guests did not
know until March 5 that such
an important event took place
behind the closed doors of the
red room.
Mrs. James Monroe was not
disturbed March 4, 1921, be-
cause the day was Sunday and
the Inauguration of her hus-
band for a second term was
postponed until March 5. She
would not listen to the per-
fectionistS who contended that
since Monroe's first term of
office expired at midnight
March 4 and he did not take
the oath of Office again until
March 5. there was a cycle of
"a hours when he was an ex-
President but not President.
The pages Of the history OF
inaugurations reveal that at
the very first Inauguration.
that Of George Washington in
New York City. April 80. 1889,
his wife Martha was not pres
ent.
Famous Letter
Abigail Adams, wife Of the
second president Of the United
States. John Adams, could not
leave her home duties in
Massachusetts, to attend the
Inauguration of her husband
in Philadelphia, March 4, 1897,
but sent her husband a letter
which Is still quoted.
John Adams was proud Of
this letter and passed it around
to be read during the inaugu-
ration proceedings. My
feelings are not those Of pride
or oStentation upon the &C.
casion." Abigail wrote, They
are solemnized by Q sense Of
the obligations. the important
trusts. and numerous duties
connected with it. That you
may be enabled to discharge
them with honor to your self,
with justice and impartiality to
your country. and with salts
faction to this great people
shall be the daily prayer of
your "A. A."
Mrs. James Madison-Dolly
Madison-was the first wife
Of a president to attend his
Inauguration. She wept openly
when Chief Justice John Mar
shall administered the oath Of
ofnce. She had a front seat
In the Hoiiaa ~ panraear1o