The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-01-09
LIEUT.. GOVERNOR
WILLARD TAKES
OATH OF OFFICE
Sworn in by Superior Judge
Clark.
A Pathetic Scene in the Sick
Room.
JUST ABLE TO SPEAK
In the Presence Of His Wife and Mr..
McLachlan.
The Ceremony q Little Premature-He
VIII Be Removed to Indio As Soon
as His Condition Warrants
It-The Legal Aspects
In the Presence Of His Wife and Mr..
McLachlan.

An air OF mystery pervaded the resi-
dence of Lieutenant- Governor Willard
yesterday afternoon, when q HERALD
reporter paid his daily visit to the sick
chamber. Mr.. Willard looked weak and
exhausted and it was evident that he
had just passed through an exciting cpl
sode. His long and serious illness has
left its marks upon his face and his wiry
frame has been reduced to mere ekele.
ton.
A little after 8 O'Clock Monday alter
noon Judge W. II, Clark of the superior
court called at the Willard residence and
was at once ushered into the room,
where the Acknowledgements was cons
fined to his bed. A few words of well
come were extended to him by the SUI
ferer, who appeared too week to enter
into an extended conversation.
A few minutes later James McLach.
Ian, congressman. elect, rang the door
bell and he too was escorted to the beds
side of Mr.. Millard. The party were
joined by Mrs. Willard and whispered
conversation was held, while the lieuten-
ant-governor lay helplessly and ner-
vously watching the visitors.
PATHETIC SCENE.
Realizing his physical condition, Mr..
Willard was visibly affected. The scene
that would soon be enacted in his sick.
room would have filed his heart with
joy if he were able to be present in Sao-
Tamento The time he had 80 Rnxiously
awaited, and the event to which he had
looked forward with 30 much pride
and anxiety, had arrived, but how dif-
fsrent were the surroundings. No legis-
lators to congratulate him, no gallery
to applaud him. The words he had ex-
pected TO utter before large sssemblage
were spoken in weak voice in the pres
ence of his wife and two friends. II pos.
sible the surroundings and circumstances
made the occasion more solemn. These
thoughts seemed to fill his mind when
he said TO Judge CLARK that he was
ready TO take the oath of Office.
Mrs. Millard, with tears in her eyes,
assisted her husband to sitting posi-.
tion and Judge Clark administered the
oath, pledging the sick man to perform
the duties of acknowledgement to
the best of his ability and without fear
or favor.
$50 help me. God." came in q faint
voice from the lips of the sufferer, who
appeared as weak and helpless as a
child. Mrs. Willard sustained her hus-
band and held large book to steady
his hand while he affixed his signature
to the oath. That formality concluded,
Mr.. Willard sank exhausted on his pill.
lows and wau soon slumbering from
weakness.
THE LEGAL ASPECT OF THE OATH.
1t was the intention of his friends to
keep the taking of his oath eecret. as
its legality was questioned. The reason
that that course was pursued was 81 M
ply as precausion against any possible
complications. If it was decided that
the oath taken yesterday was sufficient,
then no claim could be made BY Mr..
Reddick to the Office of lieusenent- gov
ernor. II. as is believed. Mr.. Willard
muet be sworn in at joint sesson OF
both houses, then nothing was lost By
yesterdays ceremony, and Mr.. Willard
will have to 60 through the same per-
Torrance. In the latter event it ia
proposed to Rend joint committee 20
this city. as outlined in Yesterdays
HERALD. and which would construc-
lively represent the legislature. In this
matter. however, the precedent set by
Mr.. Reddick four years age. will simply
be followed. although he claims this. be
was sworn in before the joint session in
the face of the journals OF both houses,
that show that he appeared in the state
library before special Joint com mittee.
THE OATH OF NO FORCE.
While the form of taxing the oath
yesterday may or may not bs legal, i. is
evident that Mr.. Millard's friends we're
entirely too previous in the matter. lie
cannot be sworn in until the speaker of
the assembly hss declared him elected
to the Office, and these proceedings have
not yet taken place. Therefore, if the
form of the oath should be, proper and
legal, the ceremony itself can be of no
force. The oath administered yesterday
is OF no effect, and the proceedings must
be repeated after Mr.. Willard shall have
been declared elected in the manner pre-.
Rcribed by law.
In their anxiety TO save Mr.. Willard
from any political unpleasant eatankls,
ments, hia friends have aotsd Ire-
maturely. No oath can have any effect
until after he has been declared Gully
elected in joint session OF the legiele-
ture. These proceedings will not take
nlena until tomorrnw and then. an-