The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-01-06
VIRGINIA'S GOVERNOR,
General Fitzhugh Lee, Inaugurated With
Great Enthusiasm.

RICHMoND. Va. Jan. I.-GOvernor FitZ-
hugh Lee was indicted into Office to-day, in
the presence Of the General Assembly of Vir-
ginia, Ia the hall of the House of Delegates,
the galleries and every inch of available
standing room being occupied with inter-
ested spectators, including many ladies. The
rOtunda aad approaches thereto were also
crowded vith people, all striving to gain adj
mission - the hall or to catch glimpse of
the new Governor as he passed. At noon
the Speaker called the House to order, and
the proceedings were opened with prayer, by
Right Rev Dr. A. NJ. Randolph, Bishop of
the Episcopal Church. Then the Senate
filed IN by tWOs and took seats assigned
them The Speaker then called the Joint
Convention to order. and named Delegates
A. FUlkerscn and r. NJ. Shilling and Sem
ator Taylor Berry as a committee to notify
Governor Lee that the General Assembly
was ready to receive him. In few min
ntes loud cheering on the outside
announced the approach of the
SubernatOrisl party, and soon after
ward Governor Lee, arm in arm with the
retiring Executive Governor Cameron, en-
tered the bail. followed by a number of ladies
and gentlemen. including Hon. John f.
Massey, Lieutenant Governor-elect, and Mrs.
General lee. wife of the Governor The ap-
reararCe OF the party was the signal for a
perfect ovation of enthusiastic applause,
which continued for several minutes. The
two Governors were escorted to the Speakers
platform where Hon. l.. l.. Lewis, President
of the Supreme Court of Appeals of Vir-
ginia. administered the oath of office to the
new Governor and Lieutenant Governor
At the conclusion of this ceremony the Joint
convention was dissolved and the House took
n recess for fifteen minutes. Congratula-
tions and Misunderstanding then became the Or
der OF the day, the Governor descending to
the floor and meeting friends and strangers
alike, with pleasant word for each. no
tlceable incident to the ceremony was the
almost total absence of colored people IN the
nan. "hly TWO coloTed delegates were
present, and a colored man wear
ing the badge OF the Joel Parker Associa-
ton, OF Newark. y. J. The latter Joined In
the stream OF visitors who passed by the
Governor and congratulated him. He ex-
tended his hand to the Governor, and. with
smile upon his face, said: Governor, let
me congratulate you" Governor Lee looked
at him, and breaking out into laugh, ex-
claimed; MY friend, don't YOU think the
country IS safe nOw?' The colored man
laughingly replied: Governor, l believe it
is" IL was an amusing incident and no
one enjoyed il more than Governor Lee.
Captain i. NJ. Hayes, of the Fifth United
states Cavalry. who was the bosom friend
and COmpsnion of Governor Lee when the
latter was Lieutenant in the regi-
ment before the war, and who
came all the way from the Indian Territory
10 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 Cap
tain Hayes answered: Very well, Fitz; al
low 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
reception and was greeted by many of those
Cameron remained in the hall during the
present.
The Inaugural Ball occurred at Armory
Hall this evening. The ceremony OF receiv-
ing occupied till midnight, when the ban
quoting and dancing began. 1t was the most
brilliant affair in the history of the old
commonwealth. The beauty and chivalry of
RichmOBd and other cities were fully repre-
scented. The hall was beautifully decorated
with haSs. banners and palmetto leaves.
and palmetto tree, sent from South Caro-
lima for the occasion, stood near the en-
trance