Omaha daily bee., 1889-03-05
TAKING THE OATH OF OFFICE.
The Most Solemn and Imposing Event
of the Day,

WASHINGTON, March AFTER the cere-
monies in the senate chamber were con-
cluded came the most solemn and imposing &
event of the day, when the chief magistrate
of the United States, chosen by his fellow
countrymen, was in their presence to take
oath of Office and swear to defend the constl-
tuition and laws of the land The crowds in
the streets kept up a constant cheering,
shouting the name of Harrison and -Four,
four four years more.n 1t was nearly |
O'Clock when the procession appeared at the
doors of the rotunda. President Cleveland
and Prcsidentelcct Harrison 'yalked side
by side and took places in u small rallied en-
closure which stood in the center in front of
the stand. Such members of the senate,
diplomatic corps and house of representa-
tivcs and number of officers of the govern
ment as cared to brave the rigors of the cle-
ments then came on in u body. When the
crowd saw the president there arose q trc-
mendous uproar, The cheering was renewed
again and again. and it was not until Presi-
dent HARRISON had several times raised his
hand for silence that order was restored
When the cheering had partially subsdcd,
Chief Justice Fuller arose and barred his
white locks TO the rain. He had bible in
his right hand, ready to administer the oath
of office. General Harrison and Sergcant-at-
Arms Canady also removed their hats. 1t
was most impressive scene. Standing with
| uncovered heads in the midst of a pelting
rain storm, the chief justice and president
elect surrounded by high officers Of state,
and in the presence of an immense multitude
of citizens, faced each other with bowed
heads, while the former read the oath of
Office III low tone of voice.
At the conclusion of the reading the presi-
dent, with his right hand claspng the bible,
bowed his head in assent. Silence marked
this proceeding, and when it ended there was
another tremendous burst of applause
The cheering which followed the cere-
l,n,Ys
President Harrison drew from his pocket a
roll of manuscript, and after adjusting his
spectacles began reading his inaugural ad
dress, He kept his silk hat on during the
delivery ami was partly protected from the
rain by Argeant-at-A Arms Canady. Mr..
Cleveland, now an cX-Dresldent, stood up
during part of the address, but becoming
tired toward the close. seated himself. The
president spoke in a loud, clear tone, with
distinct enunciation, and emphasized with
much earnestncss portions of his speech. IL
was an instance of the presidents power TO
rise above the surroundings and become
wholly indifferent TO them. His manner
was as deliberate and forceful as if he were
in the senate chamber, and he was perfectly
at ease. His gestures were emphatic and
prominent and all the graCes of oratory of
which he is master were brought into play
effectively.
Vice President Morton and Mrs. Morton
were present during part of the ceremony,
but the latter tainted in the throng and was
removed TO the vice presidents room in the
senate, where she quickly revived and was
taken home.
The delivery Of the speech was frequently
marked by loud applause and shouts of APP
proval The reference to Dakota produced
considerable cheering, but when the presi-
dent spoke OF Il free ballot the applause was
mighty ana tremendous. There were only
mild demonstrations of approval when the
president spoke of his policy in regard TO
Office and when he mentioned tine words
"Civil service there was silence broken
only by prolonged "Ah'' from solitary
voice in the crowd Reference to the re-
Mobilization of the navy, and 10 the establish
ment of steamship lines, evoked cheers
and cries of Good" but the most over
whelming shout Of approval was reserved for
the statement OF the presidents pension pol
icy The crowd cheered again ana again ut
this point and waved their hands and canes
wildly. AT the close of the address there
was another outburst of applause, during
which the president turned around and
kissed his wife aud daughters
The crowd, which had all this time surged
back and forth like the waves of a sea, grad
ually dissolved The line was formed and
the president retraced his steps to the vice
presidents room OF the senate, escorted by
Senator Hoar Senator Cockrell escorted
the retiring president TO the presidents