Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-03-04
M'KINLEY'S INAUGURATION
Clear, Cool and BraCinS Weather Pre-
diGted for the Inaugural Day.
MANY VISITORS HAVE ARRIVED
The President-eIect Presented
With a Badge.
Associated Press Dispatch by Special Wires.

Associated Press Dispatch by Special Wires.
Washington, ID. O., March 3-The
day before Inauguration opened moist
and warm. and by 10 o'clock slow,
steady drizzle had set in, casting dis
couragement on tho visitors, but giving
hope for the great day to .morrow to
the local residents, who had anxiousy
watched the gathering cloud conditions
and feared that the rain 10 the atmos.
phere would not be precipitated before
March 4th. To.day's downfall gave
promise that the wet weather would
end before tomorrow morning. and
when the wind began to frescen In the
west and to blow the innumerable flags,
banners and strips OF bunting out good
and strong Washingtoniaps were pre-
pared for tho Official weather forecast
sent out about 10 o'clock. after a con-
sultation by the hest weather forecasters
In the local service, that tho day would
be clear, cool and bracing. Prof. Willis
l.. Moore, chief of the Weather Bureau,
has issued to Chairman Charles j..
Bell the following favorable prediction !:
ut gives me much pleasure to be able
to state that the storm is now central
over Western New York, moving rapidly
eastward, giving heavy rain throug b
New England ami the Middle Atlantic
States, but the weather has cleared in
the West behind the storm, and with
the rapid movement eastward of the
storm center am able to make the fol-
LOVING definite predictions:
'Thursday, fair and colder. Threat
ening weather and rain will continue
to-day. but it will surely clear by or
before tomorrow morning, with colder,
fresh northwest winds. The temperature
will be between 30 and 35 degrees dur
ing the day. with clear, pleasant and
bracing atmosphere.
The railroads. continued throughout
the night and day to pour special
trains into the city, and the rush Of
military companies and civic organi-
cations fairly began. The marching
through the main streets livened up
matters, and added picturesqueneas to
the scene. Around the larger hotels
there was crush, and at the Ebbitt
House, where the President. elect ia
staying, there was perfect jam.
The President. elect retired at late
hour last night. and rose at an early
hour for Official Washington this morn.
ing, but in his short sleep he had
found much rest. When he appeared
at the breakfast table, about O'Clock,
he looked the picture of health and
| strength.
by o'clock the lobby of the Ebbitt
House was crowded with persons
anxious to meet the President. elect,
either on personal business or from
curiosity. About $50 O'Clock notice
came to Mr.. Mckinley that a dele
CATION sought to meet him to make a
presentation. They were all members
of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity,
| and called to present badge OF the
order. The President. elect greeted his
callers with the greatest cordially.
He was in good spirits, and seeing
| Postmater- General Wilson in the van
was reminded OF the old days of their
| service in the House of Representatives
Taking him by the hand, he exclaimed {:
II have not seen you since the storm
OF last November. Come over by the
window. here can sue you plainly and
4 mako sure you look as you did in the
| good old days, when you were on
me side and | TN another. The
Postmaster. General proceeded to make
| little speech, He said he was
charged with tho presentation to the
| President-elect of badge. which IN
/ Abli hC ili uou uGNb utulhtll.
| As an earnest indication of his good
| faith he produced the receipt of the
| express company and telegram, an
| nounGing the shipment of the article,
| but up to the time sot for the presenta-
tion it had not been received. The
| President.elect is member Of Sigma
Alpha Epsilon, and still takes great
interest in the welfare of the fraternity.
The President elect thanked the dele
| cation in suitable terms, and promised
| to wear tho badge if, as he remarked
loosely, there really was any such
| badge and his visitors ore not Joking.
| This point was soon met, however, for
| just as the party started away an OK
| press messenger brought in haste the
delayed package. Postmaster General
Wilson Immediately opened it, assisted
| 10y the Presidant-elect, and disclosed u
beautiful work of the jewelers. art,
| studded with diamonds.
| At II. 10 O'Clock Mr.. Mckinley went
to paw his official visit to President
| Cleveland at the White House. No
one save his secretary, Mr.. Porter,
| and Chairman Bell of the inaugural
COMMITTEES accompanied the President
elect. They were shown directly into
| the blus parlor. where they were met
by President Cleveland and Secretary
Thurber. The President walked with
much less stiffness than he has shown
for tile last two days. He sat up very
| lats last night, disposing Of the bust
ness which came to him from Congress-
| The meeting between the incoming and
the outgoing Presidents lasted only a
few minutes.
Tho President-elect returned to the
Ebbitt, and in an hour Mr.. Cleveland,
following the custom, returned his call.
Carrot A. Hobart, tho Vice. President
elect. put in u large part OF to-day in
the lobby and the Vice Presidents
room in, the rear OF the Capitol, gain
ing information of the proper mode of
performing the conspicuous part he will
take in the ceremonies in the Senate
chamber tomorrow. Vice. President
Stevenson was his mentor.
Dau