The New York herald., 1877-03-05
FROM OUR REGULAR coRRsspoN DENT.

FROM OUR REGULAR CORRssPON DENT.
WASHINGTON, March T. 1871
THE OATH OF oFFIcE-wHY IT WAS TAKEN ON
SATURDAY EVENING.
Washington has been puzzled and m ystined all day
whether President Hayes has taken the oath OF
ofnce not. Thosc who knew the real state OF tho
matter, which kept profound secret, responded
when asked about IT, that he would not take the oath
to-day, which assertion they could easily mako
without telling untruth. This conveyed
tho inference that he would take the oath to-
morrow, at the regular time and in the usual way.
From all that be learned about the matter the
administered quietly. and as by sudden impulse
when the Prcsident-elect and the Chief Justice
the White House, just before proceeding the State
dinner hast night The distinguished couple of gentle
mon stopped into the adjoining red room, where tho
oath subscribed by Mr. Hayes, and paper was
then Hed with the Secretary Of stasc who was also
conveniently 10 1t. The repetition the
oath orally tomorrow at tho Inauguration will therefore
be wholly proper, and will lend to the ceremony tho
impressive and essential feature which chiefly dis
tnguishes II.
The mystery made about the matter OF the admins
tration OF the oath last night the deep public
erest taken in the subject, induced HERALD repre-
sentative to wait upon a leading member OF exPrcs.
He was rewarded with the following statement:
"Prcsident Hayes In last evening, at tho
White House, by Chief Justice Waite. at i've minutes
aer seven O'Clock Secretaries Chandler and Fish ar.
rived few minutes aftcrward, and the whole thing
was done quietly that not President Grant
or any of the household knew anything Of untiit
was over the Presidents Bble being used IN the GER
emony."
II was evidently intended to keep the whole affair
secret for the time, and agreement that effect
have entered into. because outside OF those
prescn. knowledge of what occurred was impaired
to any whatever in this city,
The Chief Justice, when interrogated upon the SUBJ
ject after midnight said that he liberty to
divuge anything that had transpred, because 1t had
been resolved for some reason, not yet explained to
make no announcement about II, either MS
to who administered the oath TO President
Hayes, or when, where Il had bcen taken
One of the motives in view for the taking Of the oath
without delay yesterday Is attributed to the fact that
as Sunday is n dies in the common law though
not recognized in legislative matters it thought
safest administer the oath TO President Hayes yes
terday rather than leave 1t until In case
any thing should happen requiring prompt Executive
action, such as insurrection or violence In tho
South elsewhere, II believed be best avoid
any danger OF complications embarrassment 10 tho
as to his legal OF his powers Commander in
Chiet OF the Army and Navy, well of the
regular executive prorogativcs. AS President
Hayes had taken the oath he joined the party at
din nor and spent the OF the evening table and
in social conversation.
REMARKABLE EUMoR ABOUT MR.. TILpENs
SUPPOSED INAUGURATION.
of the principal subjects OF inquiry in tho hotels
and places OF public to. night whether
Mr. Tilden had taken tho oath Of office New York
to-day not 1t was the question which almost
everybody asked and which could answer
Strange say, politicians OF the republican aIth
seemed be great deal Interested in the ques-
ton than their opponents, who appeared to be ndf-
ferent the subject, attaching, as a rule, very
little importance to the event, whether had taken
place not The general feeling among that class Of
people, who are numerous In Washington as in
other parts Of the country, the independent voters
and thinkers who are ANXIOUS only Tor peaceable
solution OF the difficulty, was, that Mr.. Tldcn
SO foolish to go through what they call tho arcc
OF making TWO Presidents Members Of Congress,
even those who had sent tho despatch to Mr.
Tden, informing him Of the declaration of his clec.
ton by tho House OF Representatives, were, pro-
fesscd to be, ignorant regard to the matter any
else. An afternoon paper printed what purported
to be a despatch from New York. declaring that Mr.
Tden had the oath OF Office his residence in
Gramcrcy Park, and this appeared be The only ioun-
dation upon which the report rested. Mr. Knott,
Chairman OF the Judiciary Committee, being Ques-
toned the subject tonight said he had not heard
word about It. I'm view of the experience have
had with the telegraph companies" said he, "during
tho last couple OF months. should think the telegraph
would be the last place which a would en,rust
anything he wished to keep secret But ii he took the
OATH why shond Mr.. rdcn desire be kept secret
That is u question cannot answer"
Late to- night report flew around tho hotels TO tho
effect that Mr. Tiden would be hero to morrow morn.
ing. but upon inquiry It could not be traced TO any
trustworthy Mr. Meade, of the New York del
ega,ion. said he had heard word about II, and
believed II TO be entirely untrue.
PRESIDENT HAYES INAUGURAL ADDRESS
It's likely that tho inaugural address OF President
Hayes viii not be lengthy. A gentleman familiar
with the character OF his State papers predicts that It
will not exceed three columns OF The new YORK
HERALD, and probably will be limited to TWO col.
umns. Hc prepares his papers readily and without
assistance, and uses Unnecessary words so con.
csc indeed is his method OF expression that reporters
for tho press in cndcavorng make abstracts OF the
messages hc wrote while he was Governor of ohio
found II almost impossible 10 eliminate a line his
style Is so compact.
THE Ex-PREsIDENT on HIS ADMINISTRATION OF
EIGHT YEARS.
Everyone who has visited the Capitol Is familiar
With the luxurious apartment known the Presidents
room Hero the retiring President this morning as
usual on the OF the Congressional session. ready to
sign such bills passed in the cosn Cons as
met with his approval. During u IN me work Of
examining bulls a representative of the HERALD was
accorded an interview with the outgoing Chief
Magistrate, who was seated alone upon
sofa. the members OF the Cabinet being