The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-02
THE NEW GOVERNORS.
Inauguration of Fitzhugh Lee-A Notable
Absence of Colored Men.

RICHMOND, Va, Jan. l-Gov. Fitzhugh Lee
was indicted into Office tod day in the presence of
the General Assembly of Virginia, in the hall of
the House of Delegates the galleries and every
inch of available standing room being occupied
with interested spectators. including many ladies
The rotunda and approaches thereto were also
crowded with people, all striving to gain admis-
sion to the hall or to catch q glimpse
of the new Governor as he passed. At
the Speaker called the House to
order, and the proceedings were opened with
prayer by Right Rev. DR.. A. M. Randolph, bishop
of the Episcopal Church. Then the Senate fled
in by twos, and took the seats assigned them
The Speaker then called the joint convention to
order and named Delegates A. Fulkerson and
r. M. Stribling and Senator Taylor Berry as a
committee to notify Governor Lee that the Gen
eral Assembly was ready to receive him. In a
few minutes loud cheering on the outside an
nounced the approach of the gubernatorial par
ty, and soon afterwards Governor Lee arm in
arm with the retiring executive, Governor Cam
eron. entered the hail. followed by a
number of ladies and gentlemen, including
Hon. John f. Massey, acknowledgements elect
and Mrs. Gen. Lee, wife of the Governor The
appearance of the party was the signal for a
perfect ovation of enthusiastic applause, which
continued several minutes. The two Governors
were escorted to the Speakers platform, where
Hon. l.. L. Lewis, President of the Supreme
Court of Appeals of Virginia, administered the
oath of Office to the new Governor and Lieuten-
antgovernor. At the conclusion of this
ceremony the joint convention was dis
solved, and the House took recess for IF
teen minutes. Congratulations and handshaking
then became the order of the day, the Governor
descending to the floor and meeting friends and
strangers alike, with a pleasant word for EACH
A noticeable incident of the ceremony was the
almost total absence of colored people in the
hall; only two colored delegates were present,
and a colored man wearing the badge of the Joel
Parker Association OF Newark, N. j. The latter
Joined in the stream of visitors who passed by
the Governor, ana congratulated him. He ex-
tended his hand to the Governor and with a
smile upon his face, said:
Governor, let me congratulate YOU
Governor Lee looked at him. and breaking out
into laugh, exclaimed: "My friend, don't you
think the country is safe nowa"
The colored man laughingly replied, "Gov-
ernor, believe it is"
It was an amusing incident, and no one en-
joyed it more than Governor Lee. Captain f.
M. Hayes, of the Fifth United States Cavalry,
who was the bosom friend and companion of
Governor Lee when the latter was lieutenant
IL the same regiment before the war, and
Indian Territory to be present at the
inauguration, was among the crowd.
and when Governor Lee spied him, he hailed
the Captain with, Hello. Jack, how are you to-
day?' to which Captain Hayes answered, Every
we'll, Fitz; allow me to congratulate you" and a
warm and cordial grasp of the hand followed.
After the assemblage had dispersed, Governor
Lee proceeded to the gubernatorial Office in the
Capitol, where the retiring Governor turned the
Office over to him. Ex-Governor Cameron re-
NAMED in the hall during the reception, and was
greeted by many of those present
The inaugural ball occurred at Armory Hall
this evening. The ceremony of receiving oecu-
pied till midnight, when the banqueting and
dancing began. 1t was the most brilliant affair
in the history of the old Commonwealth. The
beauty and chivalry of Richmond and other
cities were fully represented. The hall was
beautifully decorated with flags, banners and
palmetto leaves. and palmetto tree, sent from
South Carolina for the occasion, stood near the
entrance.