Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-03-04

Governors and ex-9overncrs Of states who were
trance were Gems. sherman, sheridan, How
ard, and several others; Admirals Porter,
Sands, and Goldsborough, CommodOres Case
aud Reynolds, and Col. j. e. Mccoy, of Gen.
Sherman's stan: Lieutenant Commander Cush-
ing--all in full dress uniform; and Gov. Jewell,
OF Conn.
THE PRESIDENT
arrived ut the Capitol about IL O'Clock, accom-
panied by all the members OF the Cabinet and
was engaged in his room signing bills up to the
time OF adj journment
gallery were seated assistant secretaries Of de-
paTtments, assistant postmasters general, the
heads OF the bureaus of the war and M wy de-
nue., the controllers, auditors and register of
the treasury, the solicitors of the several de-
partments, the United States Treasurer, several
judges of the federal courts and supreme courts
general and Judge advocate general Of the
army, with their families.
The gallery to the :, right Of the diplomatic
dent Grant and Vice President Wilson, and
also the families of heads of departments aud
judges OF the supreme court.
AT twenty-five minutes before 10 o'clock
THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS
entered the chamber by the main entrance, es-
corted by the committee of arrangements and
headed by Bacque Bey, the dean of the corps
They were shown to the seats assigned TO them
on the right of the Vice President. Blacque Bey
taking the front seat usually occupied by Sena-
tor Morton. Next to Blacque Bey, was Sir Ed
ward Thornton, the English minister. Next to
him was the Austrian minister. Colonel Frerye
the Peruvian minister occupied the next seat.
Next came the Italian minister and the repre-
sentatives of all the foreign governments resid-
ing here, in the order OF seniority. There were
about fifty ministers, secretaries, and attaches
All IN full uniform, which added much to the
brilliancy Of the scene. The Italian minister
the Japanese minister. and one or two other.
were the only ones in citizens dress.
THE SUPREME COURT
OF the L nlted States was announced at Quarter
TO III o'clock, and entered by the main door
The judges all wore the robes of Office and as
they entered the chamber all upon the floor
arose to their feet. The seats assigned to the
supreme Court we're Immediately i'm front of
thereof.
AT Is minutes to - O'Clock Vice President
elect Wilson, escorted by Senator Cragin and
followed 10y Senators Logan and Bayari OF the
Senatorial committee Of arrangements, came
down the center aisle and advanced towards the
speakers desk and took his seat on the right of
Vice President COlfax. At 10 minutes before
II O'Clock the committee of arrangeme nts,
chamber with the Vice President elect. and
retired to the Presidents room.
AT this time everything was IN readiness and
Messrs. Conklng and Trumbull, the committee
10 Inform the President that Congress was ready
to adjourn, returned and reported that the Pres
ident had nothing further toeommunicate.
AT tnree minutes before twelve O'Clock
THE PRESIDENT APPEARED,
leaning on the arm Of Senator Cragin. He was
followed by Messrs Logan and Bayard. the
other two members OF the committee OF ar
rangements, and then came the members of the
Cabinet. The President took his seat i'm front
OF the secretary's desk, with the committee OF
arrangements, and the Cabinet took seats on
the left of the Vice Presidents chair.
There was a deep hush on the floor and in the
galleries When the President, escorted by Sen
ators Cragin, Bayard, and Logan, came down
the aisle and took the seat assigned him in front
OF the Secretarys table. Everybody i'm the
galleries and on the floor rose and did not take
seats until the President had taken his seat and
the gavel of the Vice President fell. The Vice
President then read the following address amid
an impressive silence:
ADDRESS OF VICE PRESIDENT coIrAx.
Vice President COliax in adjourning the SEN
ate spoke as follows:
.SeAdtors. The time fixed by the constitution
for the dissolution OF the I2d Congress has ar
rived, and with few parting words | shall re-
sign this gavel to the hOnOred son OF Massarhu-
setts who has been chosen by the people as my
successor.
Administrations terminate and Congresses cx-
pire "a the years pass by, but the nation lives
ard grows and prOsPers, to be served in the Ia
ture by those equally faithful to its interests
and equally proud OF its growing influence
among the nations of the earth. TO be called
by the representatives OF the people, and after
wards by the people themselves. to the respon-
sible duty OF presiding successfully over the two
Houses of Congress tor the past ten years from
Urn TO the era Of peace, more than fills the
measure OF an honorable ambition.
Looking back over these ten exciting vears |
can claim not only that | have committed 10
act which has proven the confidence msplaned
that called me to this position, but also that
have striyen, in it, official duties. to administer
The parliamentary law with the same imparti-
atty with which the upright judge upon the
bench decides questions of fife and liberty To
faithfully protect the rights OF the minority AS
we'll as 10 uphold the right Of the iority in the
M f. y.r,,
calm and unmOyed amid the eXcitemcnts of de-
bate; to temper anu restrain asperities. and TO
guard against personal antagonisms; to perform
accePtably, In a word, the complex and often
perplexing duties OF the chair without partizan
bias. has been my-cOnstsnt endeavor. II lis
gratifying, therefore, that of the many hun
.ireds of decisions made by me, often on the
instant. none have been reversed, and scarce
any seriously questioned.
How much owe to the uniform kindness and
support Of the members over whom 1 have
presided, is difficult to express in words. II has
been bounded by no party lines and controlled
By NO political affiliations, and L rejoice that
support. While zealously defending prineipies
before the people, this defence has never been
coupled with personal assaults on any Of the
eminent public men with whom hayedifirrrd
No aSpersions on their character have dis
hOnOred my tongue. No epithets or iuycctiye
have fallen from nv lips
But the clock admonishes me that the Ianl
Congress has already passed into history; and
wishing you, Senators, useful lives tor your
country and happy lives for yourselves, AMI
thanking you for the resolution spread mon
Your journal and invoking the favor of Him
who holds the distines Of the nations am! of
men in the hollow Of his hand. I am ne " ready
to administer the oath of office to the Vice
Presh'ent-elect whom new introduce a, vou
MIR. Coliax read his address in clear aud dis
tnct tone. audible in all parts Of the galleries
While Mr.. COlfax was speaking, the members
OF the House Of Representatives entered the
chamber.
AT the conclusion of Mr.. Colfax's address.
Wee President Wilson stepped to the Clerk :
desk and spoke as follows
Vice President Wilson's Address.
MHoforS.- In assuming the position assign ii
me by the voice of the nation, am not trust
unnindful of the obligations II imposes a
service here somewhat prolonged. covering a
period crowded with great events, and an asSo-
ciat1on here with nearly two hundred and thirty
Senators, many Of them statesmen Of large and
varied experience, have impressed upen me
exalted ideas OF the responsibilities resting uDon
the occupant of this chair, under the rsle, of
the Senate, parliamentary law. and the cons.i-
tuition. In passing. then, from the seat have
held Tor more than eighteen years to this chair
J trust l understand something of its inst re-
luirements, something, too. Of che tone and tenn
per OF the Senate In presiding over your della
eratons, ! shall ever strive to Ice free from per
sonal prejudice and partisan bias. sense of
Prbiic dnty and the obligations OF persca,l
friendship alike require that shall be as con
ia "a - tnlf and S..f. =.