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Show Washington, Adams Both Late for Inauguration WHEN Washington was Inaugurated Inaugu-rated the old Federal hall was the Capitol of the United States. At that time New York and Philadelphia Phila-delphia were rivals for the honor of being the Capital of the nation, notes the Washington Star. The first President was inducted into office on April 30, rather than March 4, not by design, but because of the procrastination of the congress con-gress and the difficulties of travel In that day. Congress had set the first Wednesday In March, which fell on the fourth of the month, as the date for "commencing the proceedings pro-ceedings under the said Constitu-ion," Constitu-ion," but when March 4 came neither nei-ther the senate nor the house could muster a quorum and so could not organize. Only 13 members of the house answered to their names. Two summons were sent out to members, but It was not until April 1 that the house finally managed to count a quorum. The senate obtained ob-tained a quorum April 6, more than a month after the appointed day. On the same day a Joint session of the two houses was held In the senate chamber. When the electoral votes were opened and counted, It was found Washington . was elected President, and John Adams vice president. Washington and Adams were formally for-mally notified and this, together with their Journey to New York, delayed the Inauguration until the thirtieth. |