Show 1 1 i 11 1 1 1 mm m mm m Bf It Seems To Me Melly MeUy lly Uy Joseph I U. U Roberts 11 1 W 1 11 1 11 Inauguration COPYRIGHT 1977 tm Contemporary Features Syndicate Inc It started st. with Franklin D. D Roosevelt's second inauguration in 1937 Prior to then the Presidential Inauguration had always been held on March 4 except Washington's first term started on April 30 but President Roosevelt didn't think it was practical to 10 have such a gap of time lime between the election and Inauguration when there was a alame alame alame lame duck hobbling around the White House in his case it W was s the incumbent Herbert Hoover defeated after aHer one term in office of fice Therefore he Instituted an Amendment to 10 the Constitution Constitution Con Con- ratified in 1936 moving up the date of Inauguration from March 4 to January 20 Ironically the change in date had no significance until 1953 when Dwight D. D Eisenhower took over from Harry Truman Roosevelt died in office shortly after being elected to his fourth term and Truman his Vice President served out his term and then won election in his own right in 1949 Then it wasn't significant again until John F. F Kennedy took over from Eisenhower in 1961 and in 1969 when Richard Nixon replaced Lyndon Johnson No doubt it is very significant this year for we have the same situation Roosevelt encountered encountered encountered en en- countered in 1933 a defeated incumbent in the White House just biding his time until he can be relieved of office I wonder though if the change of date has been worth it Certainly not from the standpoint of the Inaugural committees trying to organize and carry out the various functions and the people who participate in them Early March weather may not be ideal for holding parades and outdoor speeches in Washington but it sure beats what January usually provides More often than not not the Presidents President's Inauguration since 1933 has been marked by snow ice Ice freezing rain or a cold wind blowing off the Potomac that cuts through the warmest clothing Usually it has been just plain miserable But no matter how severe the winter weather may be people flock to the Inaugural events either to participate or observe As one former President expressed expressed ex ex- ex pressed it It its the only pomp and circumstance we have Inthe in inthe inthe the United States so we have to make the most of it No two Inaugurations are exactly the same Much tradition has grown up around the day and it is more or less expected that certain events will take place but all that is actually required of the President-elect President is that he present himself at the Capitol at 1201 pm p.m. on January 20 and take the oath of office The oath consists of 35 fairly simple words I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and will to the best of my ability preserve protect and defend the Constitution Constitution Constitution Con Con- of the United States That's it Whatever else the President-elect President and his cohorts care to do to celebrate the event eventis is up to them Much depends upon the individual being sworn in as to how elaborate will be bethe bethe bethe the fanfare surrounding his Inauguration Of course the financial condition of the country whether we are at war or not and the general mood of the people may influence the planners but usually the first Inauguration especially when the President-elect's President party has not been able to put a man in the White House for a spell will be bean bean bean an elaborate spectacular until dawn affair I think we can look forward to toa a well-organized well gala celebration with a rousing speech by the new President a miles-long miles parade full of bands and floats and marching units plenty of dignitaries and beautiful ladies and a whole lot lotof lotof lotof of people no matter what the weather is like I just hope however Washington will enjoy one of those rare days in January when the sun shines bright and the wind doesn't blow Personally Personally Per Per- I will be viewing the events in the warm comfort of my living room via television but I hate to think of the misery of those thin-blooded thin Southerners who flock to Washington to see the doings if the weather turns bad They might not thaw out until June I |