The Portland daily press., 1869-03-05
ELECTION OF MIR. BLAINE AS
SPEAKER.

immense and the enthusiasm was of the live
liest character. The Capitol grounds opposite
and the streets adjoining were packed Will
human beings, some of them at least quarter
of mile distant watching the scene with IN
tense interest. Men, women, and cnhdfen
were promiscuously crowded, many OF them
having stood patiently in the mud for several
hours. The platform on which the President
elect stood while taking the oath of office, had
a semi-circular form. which was covered with
American flags and tastefully decorated with
wreaths of evergreen oyerreaohing the plat.
form. The President elect took the seat pro.
vided for him, directly in front of the centre
Vice President Colfax and the Sergeant at
Arms in charge of the ceremonies sitting on
his right, and the Chief Justice of the Su-
preme Court ON his left. The Associate Justi-
ces of the Supreme Court occupied seats on
the left, and members and the Secretary of the
Senate on the right The diplomatic corps
were to have occupied the seats next in the
rear of the Supreme Court, but were not suf-
fciently alert to prevent themselves from be-
ing crowded into the back ground by the
members of the House of Representatives
Near Gen. Grant, and little behind him, sat
Mrs. Grant, accompanied by her sister, Mrs.
Sharp, and Mrs. Casey, her sister-in-law, Mrs.
Gen. Dent and her children, Misses Jennie
and Nellie, and Masters Fred and q. 8. Grant.
While the President was reading his inaug-
ural address his voice was not audible except
to those ON or near the front of the platform
but every pause the satisfa ction manifested by
those near at hand was responded to by cheers
and shouts from the crowd more distant, and
some of the points of the address were quickly
circulated from mouth to mouth and made the
occasion for applause, even some time after
their utterance.
During the delivery of the address little
Nellie Grant was lifted over the shoulders of
the immediate spectators and sat down by the
side Of her father, where she remained for
some time unseen and unnoticsd by him, so
smiling, happy and brightly innocent, her pres
ence seemed to add a CLEAN of sunshine to the
scene, and the occasion was one forming ex-.
pressions of pleasure and admiration.
President Grant reached the White House
after his Inauguration at about o'clock P. M.
He was met at the door by Gen. Schofeld, Sec
retary of War, who had been left by Mr.. john
son, in charge of the Executive Office. The
latter left the White House at IL o'clock this
morning, with the members of his Cabinet, ex-
cepting Gen. Schofeld. Vice President Col
fax also accompanied President Grant to the
Executive Mansion The members of the
staff of Gen. Grant were all present An i'm
mense multitude had assembled outside OF the
gates to the Executive Mansion in the belief
that there would be a general reception, but
the President decided not to have one this af-
ternoon. Senator Cragin accompanied Presi-
dent Grant to the White House, and after they
entered took cordial leave of him. The other
gentlemen, including Vice President Colfax
and the members of staff, proceeded to the
Executive. Office to smoke quiet cigar.
Upon his entrance to the Office the following
dispatch, by cable, was handed to President
Grant:
"BRRLIN, March T.
To President Gen. Grant, White House, Wash
iagtOn, d. c.:
Ny cordial congratulations ON this solemn
day.
(Signed) BISMARCK
The city is comparatively quiet tonight.
Congress is not in session, and the only at
traction is the Inauguration ball, which is
crowded to excess. The crowd is so great that
%AOAC 10 Uub Abt10 0uJOyA0ub an ycb. AAKOAhE
left on the evening trains.
Cabinet speculations are as worthless az
heretofore, though there is but little abatement
in them. Tomorrow, at noon, the official
,ominations will be sent to the Senate.
The new House of the 41st Congress organ
lied at P. M. Mr.. Mcpherson, the Clerk,
called the roll. Afterwards the House pro-
cee1ed to the election of Speaker. Mr.. Blaine
of Maine, was chosen. The Democrats voted
for Mr.. Kerr, OF Indiana.
1t is deemed certain by the best informed
people here to-day that Gov. Boutwell, will go
into the Treasury Department.
Mr.. johnson refused to follow the usual Gus
tom of going to the Capitol to sign bills, and
they were all sent to him at the White House
by messenger as fast as passed. He also re-
fused to attend the inaugural ceremonies, say
ing that he was not invited. Nobody missed
him. KNIBBs.
tie Associated Press
THE INAUGURATION.
WASHINGTON, Mar. 4-The grounds opposite
and the streets adjoining were packed with
human beings. Men, women and children
were promiscuously crowded, many having
stood patiently for several hours. All around
the Capitol were dense throngs. Shouts and
bursts of music from q dozen bands, with
which the appearance of the chief actors in
and died away to stiffness as the President
elect and Chief Justice of the United States
rose simultaneously, and the latter commenced
in clear and solemn tone to recite the formu-
la of the Presidential oath of Office, which
Gen. Grant reverentially took The boom OF
the cannon and the shouts of the vast multi
tude burst forth with deafening sound as he
took his seat, and cheer after cheer went up
with volume of tone which almost rendered
inaudible the deep reports Of the cannon.
Partial quiet having been restored the Presi.
dent then arose and proceeded to read from
manuscript his inaugural. His voice was moi
audible except to persons on or near the front
of the platform, bnt at every pause the salts.
faction manifested by those who were near al
hand, was responded to by cheers and shouts
from the crowd more distant, and some of the
points of the address were quietly circulated
from mouth to mouth and made the occasion
for applause, even some time after their utter
ance.
At the conclusion of the address, the Presi-
dent was warmly congratulated by his friends
and soon afterwards left in his crrriage for the
White House. The procession reformed ant
took up its line of March in the same direc
ton, and the Senate having returned to theil
chamber, the crowd dispersed and the inaug1
ration ceremonies brought to conclusion.
ACCIDENT TO GEN. GRANTS FATHER.
Gen. Grants father accidentally got sepa
rated from the Presidents party after the in.
auguration to-day, and while proceeding by q
private way through the Capitol, accompanied
by Mr.. briggs, made misstep and fell back
wards down eight or ten stone steps, badly in
juring his hip and sustaining other injuries
He was conveyed to Gen. Grants private resi-
dence.
THE EVENING FESTIVITIES.
The new wing of the Treasury Department
was elegantly arranged for the non-ofieial fes
tivities. Various rooms appropriated to thi
purpose were handsomely decorated with por
traits, flags, &c. The crowd was immense an(
rendered locomoton at times difficult A
103 President Grant and wife, Vice Presidep
CoIfax and wife, and the latter's immediat,
relatives. came into the building and were con
Quoted to a private room set apart for them b,
the committee. They were accompanied b
invited friends, and the diplomatic corps com
posed part of this company. Inc dens
crowd passed towards the door, and wnen Tn
distinguished party came out followed then
to the upper room designated for the reception
= The President and Vice President and tnei
wives received the congratulations OF tnei
friends as well as those who were merely al
tracted by curiosity. The committee on dant
ing prepared programme for that purpose
Ihere was abundance of music but very littl
dancing, owing to want of room. There wa
no comfort anywhere in the building, AM
many were glad to escape from the pressure.
LAST OFFICIAL ACTS OF ANDY.
Inc last papers signed by Gen. Grant al
general OF the army, were number of docu
ments intended for reference to the Secratar-
of War and two warrants for hosnitai staward
in the army.
General Grant will not dine at the Whit
House. his pheton remained at the door +
readiness to convey him home az ain