Omaha daily bee., 1889-03-05
THEY WERE ALL AMERICANS,
Democrats and Republicans Join In
Hurrahs for Harrison.
THE CABINET is SELECTED
Rusk Is Secretary OF Agriculture,
and the Slate Stands as Last
Printed - Riddicbergcr's
Shameful Career.
WASHINGTON BUREAU The OMAHA BEE,
513 FoURrEEyrH SrRBsr,

5l3 FOURTEENTH STRREr, ,
WASHINGTON, ID. c., March 4. !
This was the centennial inauguration, but
apart from its historic significance it has
been the most noteworthy Inauguration in
the history of the last half century. For
though the inaugurations of previous presi.
dents were attended occasionally by unplcas.
ant weather, yet there has never been, within
the memory of any living man, a day when
all the elements seemed TO conspire to make
the weather all that is uncomfortable, and
never has the loyal enthusiasm Of the people
risen 50 far superior to all obstacles rs TO.
day. The weather necessarily dotracted
from the brlliancy and beauty and tho gilt.
ter of the military display. The drums were
muftied in rubber, and the music at times
sounded hollow. The men were bundled up
In their overcoats, and looked iaded and worn
from their weary tramp through the
slush. But all were animated by the same
spirit of loyalty and devotion to the new
chief magistrate, and the peasentest feature
of it all is that this loyalty is wholly devoid
of any pai tisan spirit There was no trace
of partisan spirit in all of the hundreds of
thousands who thronyed the streets I'd ".
Democrats and republicans though they have
been, to-day they were all Americans, shout
dent. MIR. Harrison's demeanor has been
such as to win him the warmest words or
all sides. Digniied and self-posscssed. he
yet showed at all times that he was fully
conscious of the Importance of the great
drama of which he was the central figure.
He felt an honest pride in the enthusia sm
showed for him all along the line and his ex-
pressive features portrayed his pleasure.
ie r1n from hp rp al 4 N tho xyhitn hon in
was a continuous ovation; and even the
silent and defeated man who rode
beside him smiled at times at
some little token of popular favor.
AS he returned from the stand where he had
taken the oath OF Office that had made him
president, he stopped in the corridors and
warmly greeted both friends and strangers
who pressed forward TO congratulate him.
His way was blocked at times, and several of
the senators found it necessary to form them
selves into a body guard to protect him from
tho onslaughts of the Jealous admirers, and
as he returned from the vice presidents
chamber, to take his place in the parade his
carriage was surrounded. Although tho rain
beat in his face, he waited until he had
shaken hands with all who managed to press
forward. His klndliness and courtesy to- day
at this first public appearance made most
favorable impression, aud there is every
prospect that there Will be established be-
tween Mr.. Harrison and the people of Wash
ington that warm bond of personal love and
sympathy that has been SO VIGOROUSLY absent
during the last four years.
MRS. HARRISON.
To many people who crowded the senate
galleries to-day, and to nearly all who stood
around the platform, the face of Mrs. Harri.
son was familiar When she entered the
senate chamber she was recognized at once
and burst of applause greetCsi her. Natur
ally she absorbed the attention of all, and it
was some few moments before the people
recognized IN the daintily dressed ladies who
accompanied her, her daughter and her
daughterin-law. To them. too, there was a
hearty greeting given. All restraint van
ished, however, when the ladies adjourned,
with all the senate, to the platform to wit
ness the taking of the oath. Many who from
their position could not see Mrs. Harrison,
rewarded themselves by watching every
smile that fitted across the faces Of the
presidential ladies' as they followed the cere-
monies. Their appearance on the platform
was a pleasant surprise, for 1t had
been generally feared that the ram
would have detained them, and indeed IL had
been limited at first that they would not be
present at the capitol at all. After the cere-
monies were over they re entered their car
riages. The crowd, which had lost sight OF
them for brief moment, immediately recog-
nized them again, and when the carriages
drove off no small portion of the assembled
crowd deserted the parade, which was just
then beginning to move, anu ran after the
carriages for blocks IN the hope of catching
glance of Mrs Harrison. In all the vast con-
course of people that were packed into the
senate galleries to-day, like so many sar-
dimes, one pew presented great gaping
void. 1t was the pew reserved by courtesy
for the departing president. Not single
member or friend Of the presidents family
was present 1t had been observed that pos
slbly Mrs. Cleveland would attend, and there
was ruruor to that effect this morning, but
it proved otherwise. Neither Mrs, Cleveland
nor Mrs. Lamont nor any one OF the
cabinet ladies were in the senate chamber
to-day. and it is positively known that none
of them will attend the inaugural ball to-
night it is evident that their conspicuous alb
sence to-day is a part and portlon of care
fully preconcerted programme Of avoid
ancc.
THE CABINET.
It is now definitely asserted that ex Gov.
ernor Rusk, of Wisconsin, will be secretary
OF asriculturc, and the cabinet slate as