River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-03-12
front Of the desks on the Democratic side
xyoIf ar

front OF the desks on the Democratic side
were reserved for
THE SUPREME COURT,
the members OF which. headed by the chief
Justice in a handsome new satin gown,
which at once attracted the attention and
excited the admiration of the ladies, enteEed
in advance of the diplomatic corps, the SEN
ators rising TO receive them. On the lett
and in front of the senators were seated the
members of President Arthur's cabinet, Sec
rotary Lincoln sitting next Gen. Terry, s9S
in the rear of the senators the assistant
secretaries and other prominent depart
ment officials, with sprinklfng OF senate
officials and messengers The dlpIo-
matte corps were given the two front rows
of seats behind the supreme court, ana
grouped behind these were as many mem
beers of the house of representatives as could
squeeze into that part of the chamber. just
before the members of the house entered,
Payson of Illinois quietly and with guilty
look entered the chamber and selected an
eligible seat. thus stealing march on his
brethren. He was soon followed by King of
Louisiana and a few others who were more
enterprising and thoughtful for themselves
than the remainder of their associates. Be-
fore the members of the house made their
appearance, Capt Bassett, the venerable
doorkeeper, boldly went toward the clock
which is suspended over the main entrance,
and which furnishes official time for
the senate. AS he was furnished with a
four feet long it was known that his pur-
pose was to turn back the hands of the clock
and thus extend the life of the Forty ninth
congress and the presidential term of Presi-
dent Arthur for at least ten minutes While
the old doorkeeper reversed the minute
hand from IL so to IL: 40 a M, President
Edmunds turned his gaze in another direc-
ton, the senators looked direct to the front
as if time were not being dallied with, and
the galleries Uttered and broke into ripple
a. had inst TNDn RI
put away his chair and rod when the large
door of the main entrance swung wide open
and the tall form of John Sherman was seen
standing on the portal Behind him were
President Arthur and Senator Ransom, SEN
ator Sherman's colleague on the committee
of arrangements. Bassett skipped nimbly
toward the distinguished group, taking his
accustomed place when performing this
kind of service, and with his very best bow,
announced in loud tones, ~The president OF
the United States" Mr.. Arthur thereupon
stepped more fully into view, the senator
rising; and the crowds in the galleries, with
Arthnr's last official act in their minds. halt
rose from their seats and gave him round
after round OF
HEARTY APPLAUSE
The president stopped for moment to bow
his acknowledgements Escorted by Sena-
tors Sherman and Ransom, the president
walked down the main aisle and took the
seat assigned him, facing the senator's
few minutes later and the big doors of the
main entrance opened, and again Capt. Bias
sett skipped down the aisle to perform serv-
ice for Grover Cleveland which he has per
formed for every president since the days OF
James K Polk. ~Ihe president-ele OF the
United States" said Capt Bassett, in ever
louder tones than he announced President
Arthur, and the vast audience sprang TO theil
feet and applauded continuously for severa
minutes during which Mr.. Cleveland stooC
as one dazed, while a slight flush showed
that he was much moved by a demonstra
ton which is given to few men in this or any
other country. In mechanical sort of man
ner vet with movement that betrayed deeJ
emotion. Mr. Cleveland bowed to the mem
bers of the house, or rather he inclined hi
head in their direction, not knowing who
they were who stood facing him. Their
gracefully turning around, he bowed to The
senators, after which acknowledgment, witt
Sherman and Ransom on his right and leIt
he moved down the aisle and seated himself
beside President Arthur. The applause, how
ever, which greeted Mr.. Cleveland's entrance
continued, and finally when he was seated {
man in the west gallery called out, Three
cheers for Grover Cleveland" and they were
given without fear of President Edmunds
gavel. which was playing lively tattoo OF
his desk in the vain hope that such exercise
would suppress the enthusiastic burst o
feeling that has had no opportunity to ex
plode in twenty-five wears; but all things
even II D5IuOCIdLiE lO4AlllCdultus AhOSu COAiA'
to an end, and the applause and cheers
subsidized Mr.. Edmunds came near causing
the tumult to break out afresh by
cautloning the people against making
demonstrations and threatening to clear tht
galleries If the applause should be repeated
Every one knew Mr.. Edmunos would not
have had time to clear out the people ever
if he had the physical power to do so, bu
the people were good-natured and did no
again offend in this direction. They haC
unburdened themselves and were satisfied
to permit the remainder of the programme
of the senate to proceed in accord with th'
dignity and rules of that body.
HENDRICKS SWORN IN.
Everything now being in readiness Sena
tor Hawley, the member of the committee o.
arrangements to whose keeping Mr.. Hen
bricks had been assigned, appeared at tht
foot of tho presidents chair with the vic'
president-elect where, without further cere
mony, Mr.. Edmunds administered thu
oath of office 1t is the custom of thu
vice president to sign the oath which
he takes upon assuming office, and this
is done in a book made up of blank forms il
which are the signatures of all who have
been chosen TO preside over the senate. The
pen Mr. Edmunds handed the vice president
would not operate, and Mr.. Hendricks laid i
down and took q second which was pre-
scented. His hand trembled v1siDly as h'
wrote sThomas A Hendricks" on the page
| This completed the ceremony of inaugrura
| ton of the vice president and Mr.. EdmundI
| delivered short valedictory which he haC
previously prepared, and pronounced the
| senate adjourned without date. lmme
! diately after this announcement Vice Presi
| dent Hendricks called the senate to order
and caused the proclamation of President
| Arthur converting the senate in extra session
! to be read The new senators We're thef
! called up and sworn, after which the senate
adjourned until tomorrow noon.