, 1889-03-07
THE OATH OF OFFICE.
WITH THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE.
Barehended In the Rain, Before an I'M
Eense Throng---Reading of
the Address.

LILO AOst solemu ana imposing eYeni
of the day, when the chief magistrate
of the United States, chosen by his
fellow countrymen, was in their
presence to take the oath of office
and swear to defend the constitution
and laws OF the land
The crowds in the street kept up a
constant cheering, and shouting the
name of Harrison and -Four, four,
four years more"
1t was nearly 1 o'clock when the
procession from tho senate appeared
at the doors of the rotunda. Presi-
dent Clevland and President Harri-
son walked side by side and took
places in the small rallied enclosure
erected on the center in front of the
stand. Such members of the senate,
diplomatic corps and house of repre-
sentatiyes and officers of the govern
nent IS cared to brave the rigor of
the elements then came in in body.
When the crowd saw the president
there arose a tremendous uproar.
Cheering was renewed again and
again, and it was not until President
Harrison had many times raised his
hand for silence that order, was re-
stored.
When the cheering had partially
subsidized, Chief Justice Fuller arose,
and barring his white locks to the
rain, held bible in his right hand
ready to administer the oath of office
Gen. Harrison and Seargent-at- Arms
Canaday also removed their hats. It
was most impressive scene. Stand-
ing with uncovered heads in the
midst of pelting rainstorm, the
chief justice and president-elect, sur
rounded by the high officers of the
state and in the presence of an inn
mense multitude of citizens, faced
each other with bowed heads, while
the former read the oath of Office in
low tone of voice. At the conclu-
sion of the reading the president,
with his right hand elasped 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
ceremony having a. length subsided
somewhat, President Harrison drew
from his pocket roll of manuscript,
and after adjusting his spectacles,
began reading the inaugural address.
He kept his silk hat ON during the
delivery, and was partly protected
from the rain by Sergeant-at-Arms
Csnaday.
Mr.. Cleveland, now an ex pfesi-
dent, stood up during the address,
but becoming tired toward the close
seated himself.
The president spoke in a loud,
clear tone, with distinct enuncia-
ton, and emphasized with much
earnestness portions of his speech
1t 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 was in the SEN
ate chamber, perfectly at ease. His
gestures were emphatic and promi-
nent, and all the grsces of oratory OF
which he is master were brought in-
TO play effectively.
Vice-President Morton and Mrs.
Morton were present during par!
of the ceremony. but the latter faint
ed 10 the throDg, and was removed
to the vice-president's 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 approval. The refer
ence to Dakota produced considerable
cheering, but when the president
spoke Of free ballot the applause
was mighty and tremendous. There
were only mild demonstrations of ap.
proval when the president spoke of
his policy in regard to office, and
when he mentioned the words 'civil
service there was silence broken
only by prolonged applause from
solitary voice in the crowd. The
references to rehabilitation of the
navy and to the establishment of
steamship lines evoked cheers and
cries of good but there was over
whelming shouts Of approval of the
statement of the presidents pension
policy. The crowd cheered again
and again at this point, and waved
their hats and canns wildly.
At the close of the address there
was another outburst OF applause,
during which the president turned
around and kissed his wife and
daughter. The crowd, which had all
time surged back and forth like
waves of the sea, gradually dissolved.
A line was formed and the president
retraeed his steps to the v;ce-presi-
dents room of the senate, escorted
by Senator Hoar. Senator Cockrell
escorted the retiring president to the
presidents room. The senator kept
his umbrella raised while in the
building, and. it was. not until he
twice knocked Mr Cleyelands hat off
that he recognized that he was no
longer in the rain storm and lowered