Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-01-02
INAUGURATION OF GOV. LEE.

inaugural ceremonies tne galleries. OF Inc
House of Delegates were crowded with in
terested spectators. The eastern gallery
was reserved for ladies and their escorts,
and in the other gallery young and old men
crowded closely together in order to see the
oath administered to Gov. Fitzhugh Lee.
About half past II o'clock the Joel Parker
Association of New Jersey, composed of
sterling democrats, who came On to attend
the inauguration ball and at the same
time to pay Richmond a visit, entered the
hall of the House. A beautiful banner,
bearing the inscription, "The Joel Parker
Association" and u likeness of the popular
gentleman for whom the Association was
named, headed the column. Their arrival
was the signal for an outburst of applause
on the part Of the legislators, and the visi-
tors were accorded the right and left aisles
in order that they might get good view OF
what would take place.
About II o'clock the Senate can't over in
q body TO the House. President Hurt took
a seat near the Speaker, aud after the sen
ators had been seated Speaker Stuart called
the convention TO order and stated that the
hour inviting Gov. Lee to take the oath Of
Office in the hall Of the House of Delegates,
in the presence of the General Assembly, had
arrived.
He accordingly appointed Messrs. Taylor
Berry, Of Amherst, Abram Fulkerson, OF
Washington, and Il. NJ Stribling, of Fau-
uuier, a committee to inform Gov. Lee that
the convention was ready to receive hlG.
Before Gov. Lee arrived Attorney-G General
Ayers and Congressman Charles L. OFcr-
rail- came in aud took seats inside the bar Of
the House. Shortly afterwards entered
Capt. E. NJ. Hayes, Of the Fifth Cavalry
United States Army, who was a bosom
friend of "Fitz," as he familiarity calls him,
when Lee, WAS Il lieutenant in the United
States Army before the civil war, and who
came all the way from the Indian Territory
to be present at the inaugural.
Next came Hon. John w. Daniel United
States senator elect. He came in alone,
walking down the central aisle and took Il
aeat to the right of the Speaker, close by
Bishop Randolph and Rev. Drs. Newton
and Read As he walked down the aisle he
was greeted with cheers.
A few minutes after y o'clock Abram
Fulkerson, chairman Of the committee ap-
pointed to wait on Gov. Lee and Lieut.. Gov.
Massey, announced the arrival of the Gov
As soon as Gov. Lee entered the door Of
the hall of the House of Delegates he was
greeted with cheers He walked down the
aisle arm and arm with Gov Cameron and
was followed closely by Lieut.. Gov. Massey,
who was accompanied by Hon. Henry W..
Tourney, Secretary OF the Commonwealth.
Judge l.. l.. Lewis, president of the Supreme
Court, who was invited by the General AS.
sembly to administer the oath of office TO
| the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, ac.
companied the party, rs did also Mrs. Lee
(Wife Of the Goyernor) and Mrs. Beckham
wife Of ex-Mayor Beck ham, of Alexandria,
escorted respectively by Frank W. Dawson,
of the Charleston Ne,vs and Courier, aud DR..
| George w. Ross, of Richmond. Gov. Lee
| walked around behind the clerks desk and
stood to the left Of the Speaker, and Lieut..
| Gov. Massey stood on the right
The Speaker then requested Judge Lewis
| to administer the oath 10 Gov. Lee. Judge
Lewis read the oath the same that is pre-
scribed for all oliicers) in a clear voice, and
| Gov. Lee listened with marked attention.
His eyes sparkled and ray of happiness
seemed to illumiue his countenance. With
out moving muscle he stood amid the
gazs of six or eight hundred people aud
pledged himself TO support the constitution
and uphold the laws of the State. The oath
being administered, Judge Lewis handed
it to Gov. Lee, with the request that he
should sign it. Gov. Lee picked up pen,
and in q clear, bold hand wrote beneath the
printed copy 'Fitzhugh Lee"
Mrs. Lee occupied O seat near the clerk 5
desk and heard the oath of office read. She
seemed unconscious of the fact that many
eyes were turned towards her and that
many high compliments were being paid to
her by men who had followed her noble
husband where the red artillery was wont
to flash before the olive branch of peace ap
peared. The ovation given to her husband
must have thrilled her heart with emotion,
and it was with becoming modesty that she
witnessed the interesting proceedings
After the oath was administered TO Lieut..
Gov. Massey Gov. Lee stood in the open
space near the reporters desks and shook
hands with the New Jersey visitors as they
passed out into the rotunda of the Capitol.
He most cordially greeted each one of the
visitors, and they in return most heartily
congratulated the new Governor. One of
them had little speech, and he succeeded
in saying it Notwithstanding the fact that
there were hundred more persons behind
him pushing ahead to shake hands
with the Governor. His closing words were:
God bless you, Governor. May you live
many years aud may old Virginia stand
firm in the sisterhood of States and keep
pace with the music of the Union" Thank
you," Gov. Lee heartily replied, as the Jer-
seyman moved slowly along in the stream
of people. The next was colored man,
who wore badge indicating that be came
with the Joel Parker Association. He was
the only colored man in the crowd of visi-
tors, aud when he extended his hand to the
Governor smile played over his face, and
with characteristic modesty he said, Gov
ernor, let me congratulate you" Gov. Lee
looked at him and, breaking out into a
laugh, exclaimed, my friend, don't you
think the country is safe now?" The colored
mans face was hid behind grin and there
came rolling out over his strong set Of pure
white teeth the answer, Governor, |
b'leve it is" 1t was an amusing incident,
and no one enjoyed it more than Governor
Lee.
Soon afterwards Capt. Hayes pressed for
ward and stood near the Governor awaiting
chance to greet him. The Governor saw
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