The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-03-05
TAKING THE OATH.
An Impressive Scene in Front of the
Dome Topped Capitol.

An Impressive Scene in Front of the
Dome Topped Capitol.
WASHINGTON, March 4-TAe cerimonies
in the Senate chamber concluded, came the
most solemn and imposing event of the day.
The spectacle though individually marred
by the weather was worthy of such an
event. In the driving rain storm were
countless thousand of citizens Of the re-
public hoarsely cheering and shouting the
name of their President. From one
end TO the other of the east front
of the long and stately capitol was TO be
seen huge wall of umbrellas while imme-
diataly about the inaugural platform great
numbers of people were packed in unmOva-
bic exposed TO the rain. Occasionally some
venturesome man near tho stand woull
raise an umbrella, but loud expostulatiOns
from the people behind would compel him
to lower 1t.
CROWDS IN THE AIR.
On the roofs of the capitol building, on
all the porticoes, at all the windows,
and even away up in the air on the ba.-
comics of the dome of the capitol were
throngs of people, all strivi- & to get good
view of the scene. Tho crowds in the
streets kept up constant cheering, shouting
the name of Harrison and -Four,
four, four years more" Even
by Greenough's statue of Wash
ington al enterprising photographer
had erected a platform elevated above
the crowd, and, with his camera in posi-
ton, stood ready to secure picture Of the
presidential party as it emerged from the
rotunda. In the distance were visible the
gay uniforms and Haunting banners of the
assembled military and civic organizations
which were To take part III the professional
pageant. Many of the bands we're playing
martial music and he strains OF drum
and fife mingled with the cheers and short
songs of the multitude assembled around
the stand.
on THE STAND.
On the stand erected at the central portico
of the capitol were arranged chairs for the
chief officials of the nation. Rain kept
pouring in a ceaseless ana driving storm.
Laborers went about from place to place
with sponges, vainly endeavoring 10 at
least keep puddles of water from filing the
seats Of the chairs. About 1910 O'Clock the
procession from the Senate appeared at
the doors of the rOtuuda White
bearded, rudy faced Capt. Alabach led
the way followed by six other members of
the capitol police. Marshal Wright Of the
United States supreme court and Col. Will
son, marshal of the district, came next.
Then came the venerable Hannibal Haml n,
ex-Vice President. He wore no overcoat,
disdained an umbrella and walked 20 the
seat assigned him. Chief Justice Fuller, in
the robes of his office, headed the justices of
the supreme court. Sergeant-at-Arms Can
naday of the Senate and Senators Hoar, Cul-
lom and Cockrell, the committee on ar
engagements, filed in, preceding the distln-
guished persons of the day
CLEVELAND AND HARRISON.
President Cleveland and President-elect
Harrison walking side by side followed, and
took their places in the small rallied in.
closure erected in the center of the front OF
the stand Such members of the Senate
diplomatic corps, and of the House OF Rep
resentatives and other officers of the
government as cared to brave the
rigors of the elements then came on in
a body. When the crowd saw toe President
there arose an uproar like the rushing of
the waters of Niagara, cheers were drowned
in louder cries, and those on the outskirts,
taking up the shouts Of those near the
stand, swelled the volume of sound, making
a hoarse and fearful din. The cheering
continued, and it was not until President
Harrison had several times waved his hand
for silence that order was restored. Ia the
meantime the people on the inaugural
stand, dsregarding the official division OF
space, pressed forward and standing on
chairs formed a semi-circle abou 1.-THE presi-
Dental Enclosure.
HARRIsoN'S SEAT.
President Harrison occupied front seat
in this Enclosure. On his right was Presi-
dent Cleveland, and on his left Chief JUS
tice Fuller. The senatorial committee on
arrangements stood behind and on either
side of the President, while Sergeant-at-
Arms Cannaday with raised umbrella stood
directly behind Gen. Harrison and pro
tected him, to some extent, from
the driving storm. When silence
had been partly secured, the chief Justice
arose and, barring his abundant white locks
to the rain, held the Bible in his right hand
ready to administer the oath OF office.
Gen. Harrison and Sergeant-at- Arms Can
naday also removed their hats. 1t was
a most impressive scene. Standing
with uncovered heads in the midst
of a peltlng rain storm that drove
the mist in their faces, the chief justice and
President-elect, surrounded by higl officers
OF state. and in full view Of an immense
multitude of citizens of all classes of So
ciety, faced each other with bowed heads
while the former read the oath Of office in a
low tone of voice
THE OATH.
The oath recited is in the following
words:
do solemnly swear that will faithfully exc
.
aud will 10 the best Of my ability protect and
defend the constitution Of the United States
The oath differs in one material respect
from that taken by all other officers of the
government. The law simply provides that
the President shall take an oath OF office.
while all other officers Of the government
are required to also subscribe 70 one. The
trainers of the law evidently had in view
the solemn public ceremony held to-day
At the conclusion of the reading OF
the oath the President, with his
right hand clasping the Bible, bowed
his head. Silence almost painful, had
marked this proceeding, and when it was
ended there was another tremendous burst
of applause. The applause which followed
this ceremony having at length subsidized
somewhat in Difference to President Harri.
sons request, he drew from his pocket roll
Of manuscript, and, after adjusting his
spectacles, began reading his inaugural ad
dress.