Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-09-28
i [From the Richmond Dispatch j.
The Old Governor and the New-The Inau-
guration-How Governor Wells Got Up
and Governor Walker Sat Down. al

|
guration-How Governor Wells Got Up
and Governor Walker Sat Down. o
The transfer of the office of Provisional Gov.
ernor from Gen. ii. II Wells to Col. Gilbert
| Z. Walker was effected by very simple opera
tlon at the Executive Mansion Tuesday morn
ing -2'qeH assa,go -. II
| 1t was announced that the ceremony of inau.
guration would take place at noon, but at hall
past IL, Justice j. B. Crenshaw, armed with
the Code Of Virginia, presented himself at the
door OF the Gubernatorial mansion, ready to
administer the necessary Oaths. A mulatto
youth employed by Governor Wells answered
the knock, and ushered him into the Office on
the left of the door, where were seated Cover
nor Wells, Judge Shumaker, Col Mallory the
Secretary of State, Private Secretary Dudley,
and Mr.. Wells, Jr. ~ ~
Mr. Crenshaw was shown seat, and remark
ed: "Gov. Walker has not arrived yet?"
=, No, SIR replied Governor Wells, Mr.
Walker has not come yet"
About ten minutes we're then spent in con-
yersatlon about the beautiful day, the drought,
&c, and In the meantime Judge Rye, State
Treasurer, and Mr.. James r. Fisher, Secretary
OF the Conservative State Central Committee,
were introduced, and shook hands all around.
a few minutes later, carriage drove up to
the door, and General Candy and COL Walker
allghtlng, were shown to the parlor, where thev
were Immediately joined by the party from the
Office. =
Governor Wells first shook hands with Gen
erai Canby, and then approaching Col. Walker
@ Sald: Col Walker, am glad to see YOU
lake seat, SIR l -
The company were soon seated. Besides the
gentlemen before named, Paymaster Stanton.
COL Chandler, and other State officers, we're
present as spectators iGl- ft -f'
Silence reigned for few seconds, and was
then broken by Gov. Wells, who rubbed his
hands and said well, Colonel, | suppose
you have come up to be made Governor
Yes, sir" replied Col. Walker, that is the
chief object of my visit"
Ihereupon Mr.. Justice Crenshaw stepped
forward, Code in hand, and administered the
oaths, or rather afirmations, Col Walker rails
ing his right hand and siguifying his assent to
each by nod. These afirmations were-frst,
OF fidelity to the Commonwealth of Virginia
second, to the Constitution of the United
States; third, the anti-duelling affirmation;
fourth, the usual oath of office.
This done, Governor Wells again stepped
forward, and taking Governor Walker bv the
hand, said: Gov. Walker, congratulate YOU
and hope that you may have successful and
pleasant administration. 10 which the new
Governor replied, Il thank you, SIR
ana the next feature OF the performance was
the congratulation of Governor Walker, first by
Gen. Candy, then by the State officers present,
and finally by crowd of miscellaneous specta-
tois who thronged the parlor and vestibule. =
As the Governors private secretary had not
been appointed, Mr. Richard F. Walker kind
ly oficiated at this impromptu levee, and intro
duced the persons presenting themselves
During these ceremonies Gov. Wells and
friend whose name is not known to the public
effected graceful exit, and entering carriage
which came up just at the right moment were
driven to his own hired house. on the corner of
First and Franklin streets Mr.. Dudley re-
malned at the Executive mansion, and handed
over the papers of the Office to the new Cover
nor, at the same time rendering his own resig-
natoin as aid-de-camp. Colonel Walker made
himself at home, and was soon seated in the
chair just vacated by Gov. Wells, busily en-
gagged in conversation about State affairs with
gentlemen who were introduced on business.