The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-03-01
NATIONAL AFFAIRS.
Rrsxhf Future Of she Republics
Party = c1eveiaBa Not let
Dead Politically

Philadelphia Press
wasgrsGres. Feb. Clerk Ne.
Eenney. Of the United States supreme
courf. IS about to purchase the Bible
on one OF the pages Of which Gen.
Harrison viii imprint kiss 81 he be-
comes president # the United States
fwo weeks irons next Monday The
sacred tones which hare been used for
! presidents first oath have In the
mast been presented TO some ncsr reia-
i've OF the family as memento OF q
raouensons occasion. This custom
xas rot followed In President cieve-
lands case. As viii be remembered,
he took the oath on Bible belonging
70 bis mother. Dir. Mckinney opened
the SAFE in his private Office for my
benefit the other day, and took from
the pasteboard box the Bible which he
had bought for the inauguration Of
President Cleveland. It was hand
sonneIy bound volume, morocco cor
cred. and in size a large octave. II
All retained the tissue paper that sur
rounded the rich and fragrant leather
hands. I asked Mr. Mckenney what
Is was going to do with the book.
II really don't know he REPLIED.
an . strictly economic mood. the
ether day, / almost determined that
ss the bible was a. perfect as the siay
bought II tour years ago, would
use ii Tor the ensuing ceremony. /
have decided not TO do this. however,
AMI the bible viii probably rest with
the other curious souvenirs OF the sn-
preine court
wHEgE THE gIss fs IMPRINTED.
Mr.. Mckinney. In referring 70 the
several inangurals in which he bad
played by no means an nnimportant
part. explained how narrowly he
WATCHED the spot In the open page on
which the lips OF the chief magistrate
have rested. As soon as the kiss IL
imprinted be would mark the spot
with his finger nail. and lightly touch
it with pencil gfterward.
The bible that President Arthur kiss
cd was presented to Miss Nellie Arthur
by Mr.. Mekenney, and the Garfield
hsble was handed Ia Mrs. Garfield by
Mrs. Mckinney oE the 5th OF March.
1851.
Mr.. McKennev's predecessor, ID. w.
Middleton, was In Office when presi-
dent Hayes took the oath. but rho
present clerk was selected TO present
the bible To Mrs. HAYES. A Mr.. Me-
Kenney presented the bible to Mrs.
HAYES in one Of the parlors of the ex-
ecutiye mansion. Mrs. Hayes said ..I
hope Mr.. McKenney viii be kind
enough TO read the verses alond
Those present grouped themselves
around as he complied with the re-
quest of Mrs. Hayes The last of the
verses read And they Cypress nae
yea. they persecute me-buf in the
name OF the Almighty God win ! de-
stroy thenln Mrs HAYES laughed
good. humoredly and said ooh. ne:
| don't believe that any body viii be
DESTROYED" Then she accepted the
bible and instructed Mr.. Mckenney to
present 10 Mr.. Middleton her warsnest
thanks for the gift.
coTsrISo THE ELECTORAL VOTE
A figure that attracted some aften-
ton and comment on the floor Of the
house of representatives Wednesday
was that of ex-senator Ferry of Michi-
T.
senate chamber with members of the
senate 90 witness the counting Of the
electoral votes. What contrast there
was between the peaceful. regular pro-
ceedings OF Wednesday, and the tn-
multi that marked the adjournment OF
the Joint session twelve years ago,
when in the midst of a bowling mob
Of angry men Senator Ferry an
nouneed that Rutherford b. Hayes
had been elected President OF the
United states. There were many IA
nsiiiar faces TO remind him of that
day. Randall. who. as speaker al the
house, had sat beside him IS be an
nounced the result of the ballot.
blackburn. now 4 senator. but then
one Of the leaders of the filibuStering
in the house: Springer, who helped
Blackburn 10 delay the proceedings
until congress had sat In joint session
without adjournment for two weeks.
During that session there was constant
danger that the country would be
plunged In domestic strife. On We'd
nesday the proceedings were as quiet
as though the house were passiug
batch OF pension bills. Nothing dis
tnrbed tile commonplace character al
the proceedings but the crowd IN the
galleries and about the floors.
Nh. BLAINE At rms rHEArgR.
James q. Blaine was q conspicuous
figure at the theater last week. Mr..
blaine Is usually conspicuous, hut be
attracted more than usual attention
on this occasion, He sat in box near
the stage and watched Hermann pass
ing silver dollars through the crown
OF O hat. and doing other Interesting
and impossible things. Presently the
spirit hand was brought out an placed
on the glass table. Ii raped out ans
gers 10 several questions ia q faystcr-
ions manner. The Hermann said !:
win James o. Blaine be the next
secretary of state ?" and the hand
slowly raped out the answer. Yes. ;"
The audience applauded tumultuons-
liz, and every eve in the house was
turned in the direction OF the states
man from Maine. But be sat uumoyed
and apparently nnconcerned. When
The performance was over he went be-
hind the scenes at Herrmann's invita-
hon aud examined the machinery
used In the display OF the nagieian's
black art.
Nothing attracts an audience as
much as local gag OF this charas-
Ter. AllusienS to men IN public life
made in topical songs or inferpolsted
dialogue are always sure of a hearty
welcome from a Washington audience.
The comedian iahors under i peculiar
Disadvantage here. however une of
the favorite subjects for the topical
song is the recent election OF the pres
sdent or his wife, and il Is frequently
necessary 10 cut ont a verse or two
from favorite song because the pres
iient and Mrs. Cleveland are IN the
theater No one mas any inclination
OF desire to offend the president and
his charming wife. and nothing that
eosild be dista~teful 10 them Is ever
said or sung on the stage while they
are in the theater o'BRTES RAIN.
The sseuuhffeQp s1utla1k.