Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-05
TAKING THE OATH.
A Solemn and Impressive Scene in the
3 Rain-Harriscn's Address Loudly APP
pIaudedz<n1rs. Morton Faints.
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rBY ASSOCIATED PREss.l

TBY ASSOCIATED PREss.1
1t was nearly 1 o'clock when the process
sion from the Senate appeared at the doors
of the rotunda, President Cleveland and
President-elect Harrison walking side
by side, and took their places
in small inclosure, erected in
the center of the front of the
stand. Such members of the Senate, diplo-
matte corps and of the House of Repre-
sentatives and number of other officers of
the Government as cared to expose them
selves to the rigors of the elements then
came on in body.
When the crowd saw the President there
arose an uproar like the rushing of the
waters of Niagara. The cheering was re-
newed again and again, and it was not
until President Harrison had several times
raised his hand for silence that order
was restored. When the cheering had par
TALLY subsided, Chief Justice Fuller arose,
and, barring his abundant white locks to the
rain, held Bible in his right hand ready
to administer the oath of Office.
Uncovered in the Rain.
General Harrison and Sergeant at Arms
Canadsy also removed their hats. 1t was
most impressive scene. Standing with un-
covered heads, in the midst Of pelting
rainstorm, the Chief Justice and the Presi-
dent-elect, surrounded by high officials 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 in low tone of voice. The oath
exacted is in the following words:
81 do solemnly swear that will faith
fully execute the Office of President of the
United States and will to the best of my
ability, preserve, protect and defend the
Constitution of the United States"
At the conclusion of the reading of the
oath the President, with his right hand
clasping the Bible, bowed his head in
assent. A silence almost awful had marked
this proceeding, and when it was ended
there was another tremendous outburst of
applause. The cheering which followed this
ceremony having at length subsided some
what in Difference to President Harrison's
request, he drew from his pocket roll of
manuscript, and, after adjusting mis- spec
tacles, began reading his
Inaugural Address,
as published elsewhere. He kept his silk
hat on during :he delivery of his inaugural,
and was partly protected from the rain BY
Sergeant at Arms Canaday, much after the
manner in which Oriental potentates are
attended by their umbrella bearers.
Mr.. Cleveland, now an ex-President,
stood up during a part of the address, but
becoming tired toward the close, seated
himself The President spoke in loud,
clear tone with distinct enunciation and
emphasized with much earnestness portions
of his speech.
1t was an instance Of the Presidents
power to rise above surroundings and be-
come wholly indifferent to them. His man
ner was as deliberate and forceful as if he
were in the Senate chamber perfectly at
ease. His gestures were emphatic and
pertinent, and all the graces of oratory of
which he is master we're brought into play
effectively.
Warming Up to the Work.
He became heated after short time, and
removed his overcoat. Observing at this
time that Mr.. Canaday still had his head
exposed to the weather, he requested him to
don his hat, and for the rest of the address
the Senate's Sergeant at Arms wore his head
covering.
Shortly after General Harrison had begun
speaking, his family, consisting of Mrs.
Harrison, Mr.. and Mrs. Russell B. Harri-
son and Mr.. and Mrs. J. B. Mckee, came
forward and were shown to places
within the Presidential inclosure.
vice-President Morton and Mrs.
Morton were also present during
q part of the ceremony, but the latter tainted
in the throng, and was removed to the Vice
Presidents room in the Senate, where she
was quickly revived and taken home.
The delivery of the address was frequent
IL marked by loud applause and shouts OF
approval. Reference to Dakota produced
considerable cheering, but when the Presi-
dent spoke of free ballot the applause was
mighty and tremendous.
A Suspicious Quiet.
There were only mild demonstrations of
approval when the President spoke of his
policy in regard to the Offices, and when he
mentioned the words ''Civil Service" there
was 8 silence broken only by
prolonged "Ah" from a solitary voice
In the crowd. The references to the rehab-
ilitstiOn of the navy and to the establish
unent of steamship lines evoked cheers and
cries of Good" but the most overwhelm-
ing shout of approval was reserved for the