National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-09-22
TAKING THE OATH.
A MINUTE ACCOUNT OF THE EVENT.
Who We're Present at General Arthur's Residence
When He Was Sworn Inflow the Cere.
mony Was Performed-A Talk
With Justice Brady.

One of the nine persons who were
present at the swearing in Of General Arthur IS
PRESIDENT, reporter, gives minute account Of
the occurrences, at General Arthurs house as fol-
lows; "A number of Mr.. Arthur's friends" he
said, "had been with him during the evening
endeavoring to divert his mind from the sad ca
lamity that was constantly in his thoughts. The
bulletins in the latter part the evening had been
so reassuring that there was something like hope
ulness of feeling in the little group, although
nothing was said on the subject. The first an.
nouncement Of the death of the President came
from Tribune reporter who called at the door.
IL was received by all, and especially by General
Arthur, with inoredulity. But few minutes
later the telegram came from Attorney. General
MaoVeagh. This confirmation of the dreaded
news led TO an immediate consultation as to the
proper steps to be taken by General Arthur. owing
10 the peculiar complication of circumstances,
IT WAS THOUGHT BEST
That the oath Of Office should be administered as
soon as possible. This determination was the re-
suit Of communications previously had between
General Arthur and the members Of the Cabinet
and It had been understood that in the event OF
President Garfields death his successor should be
sworn In without any delay AT the time when
the President was so very low two or three weeks
ago. Judge Blatchford remained in town several
days, that he might be in readiness TO administer
tho oath. BY the time the oath had been written
out by one of those present, and the little consul
tation had been ended the dispatch from the Cabi.
net came making the request that General Arthur
take the oath Immediately Elihu Root and DIR. Z.
G. Van Wyck started at once in one cab and Dis
trict-Attornoy Rollins and Police Commissioner
French In another to find judge. The former re-
turned shortly afterone o'clock with Justice Brady
aud
THEN THERE WAS A SHORT DELAY
until the others came with Justice Donohue As
Justice Brady came iirst he was asked to admins
ter the oath. There were then present in Cen
oral Arhur's parlors, besides himself and his son
Allan and those named above. only General Ar
thurs private secretary. J. c, Reed making nine
in ALL General Arthur aud Justice Brady stood IN
the centre OF the front paror aud the others were
standing closely around. IL was u very striking
scene the lime OF the night intensifying the i'm
pressiveness that all the other circumstances gave
to 1t. AT its conclusion there was some quiet con-
versntion before the visitors started for home"
Justice Donohue, of the Supreme Court was pres
ent at General Arthurs house when Justice Brady,
VINO had arrived at the house before him,
ADMINISTERED THE OATH
OF Office to the new President. Justice Donohue
said yesterday that the ceremony was very brief,
although impressive. The few persons present.
were gathered in the front parlor and stood
around General Arthur and Justice Brady while
the oath was being read. II believe Justice
Donohuc said, In his tcrse way, in answer to fur
ther questions, that Mr. Arthur Is going to make
a first-rate President
TALK WITH JUSTICE BRADY.
Justice Brady was found in his Thirty-third
stres accofnpEtn, ,Tifbym seporpElas'.0ventng. He
NJ set home 10y u >r " o. i.i ~ lst ,e.,.,,,o Z
spoke very briefly about the occurrences con-
nected with the giving of the oath OF Office to the
new President The only thing to be said he re-
marked, about the fact that the oath was taken
before State instead Of Federal officer was that
tie circumstances were striking and unusual, and
tile emergency made such a step necessary and
proper. 1t had arisen before and was to be
hoped 1t never would again. He had heard of the
death of the President, Justice Brady said, before
through an extra" that was cried
through the streets. lie had not given up hope
until Monday that the President would live.
He HAD HAD FIRM BELIEF
that had settled itself into positive convictiont
that 1t was not General Garlelds destiny TO die by
the hand of an assassin. but the announcement
in the extra 4" broke down the last hope aud de-
stroycd the possibility OF sleep for the night. He
was therefore awake and dressed when Mr. Root
and Dr. Van Wyck drove up to his door 10 ask him
10 go to General Arthur's house. al have known
Mr.. Arthur long time,' he continued, and /
know him well. Even while entertained the
Dellcl lnHt ITcsluellt buTIelu WOulu SURVIVE tN-
pressed the opinion both here aud at Saratoga that
General Arthur possessed the attributes likely TO
make him an excellent President. ! still hold the
same opinion. lie is II broad man, man OF fine
instincts and strong sympathies, and ut the same
time man who forms an independent Judgment
in which he has confidence. lie is one who
MAKES FRIENDS AND STRONG ONES.
Antagonists he has, but no enemies. lie will
not be dictated to or controlled as President, but
will act independently and with II liberal policy
toward all sections and classes His political ex-
periences believe, will peculiarly it him for
some of the most trying duties OF his high office.
lie has been brought in contact with all classes of
men he hus learned to judge OF them and to
understand the motives that actuRte men in their
various political attitudes. He comes in peculiar
sense from the midst of the people whose leader
he Is TO be- lie is fNr-sghted, liberal, and at the
same time conservative, and | think that those
who have been the sharpest In their criticisms OF
him In the past will be greatly surprised to see
how good u Prcsidenthe will make" Another one
who was present told ofseveral additional circum-
stances not mentioned by the other narrators.
Almost Immediately, IL was said by this informant,
upon the receipt by General Arthur of the dispatch
from Attorney General MacVeagh the Vice.Prcsi.
dent
WITH HIS OWN HAND
wrote and sent away the telegram OF coincidence
to Mrs. Garfield that was published yesterday
morning. Then, too, amer the oath was admins
tered he sent second telegram to the Cabinet in
forming the members of the performance OF that
duty. All Of the persons who were in the parlors
were deeply affected while the oath was being
read. At Its conclusion, General Arthur, who had
stood with upifted hand, said impressiyely: $50
help me God, l do" moment afterwurd the
Presidents son Allan, who, although only seven
teen years old, is nearly six feet In height, ap-
preached his father, and laying one arm on his
shoulder kissed him. Tears stood in General Ar
thurs eyes-Nelg York Tribune.