The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-25
AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
The Ceremony Attending the Signing
of the Tariff Bill.


WASHINGTON, July 24.-The Dingley
tariff bill is now the law of the land. The
last step necessary was taken at the White
House when the President affixed his sig
nature, at 4:O4 O'Clock to-day. The signing
of the bill was an interesting event. 1t had
been arranged that the President should go
to the Capitol to perform that function, but
owing to the uncertainty as to the time
that the bill would be ready that plan was
abandoned. The members of the Cabinet
who are in Washington were TO attend the
President to the Capitol to witness the
event, but were notified of the change in
the programme and came to the White
House about $3.50 and assembled with the
President in the Cabinet room. Mr. Porter
the Presidents secretary, was in constant
communication with the Capitol by tele-
phone, so that he was able to advise the
President promptly of the starting of the
bill from the House for the White House.
A few moments before o'clock Repre-
sentative Dingley appeared, accompanied
by Representative Hager, chairman of the
House committee on enrolled bills. Mr..
Hager by virtue of his office, held the tariff
bill closely in his hand, but not for a mo-
ment did Mr. Dingley lose sight of the fa-
nous document which has made his name
known in all parts of the world. They were
admitted at once into the presence of Mr..
Mckinley The latter was sitting quietly
at the long Cabinet table, with Secretary
Gage and Attorney General McKenna on
one side and Postmaster General Gary and
Secretary Wilson on the other He rose
and greeted Mr.. Dingley and Mr.. Hager
cordially and proceeded at once to the work
OF approval. Mr.. Porter turned to the
lot
the document before the President.
He had several pens at hand, the owners
of which had begged might be used
to sign the tariff actI But Mr. Dingley, un
expectedly taking a case from his pocket,
produced a beautiful mother-of-pearl ham
died pen, dainty eonugh for ladys use,
and requested that it might be used for
the signature. The President recognized the
right of Mr.. Dingley, though he laughingly
commented on the diminutive size of the
pen. Dipping it deep into the ink well he
steadily appended his signature to the bill,
asked the date and wrote July 24-Ap-
proved" and the bill was act. There
was a burst of applause from the specta-
tors Every one in the room except the
President was standing and several of the
spectators were nervous
AS the President dropped the pen Attor-
ney General McKenna, glancing at the
clock on the mantle, remarked: ut is just
four minutes past o'clock" Then, a
thought suddenly occurring to him, he add
ed: Governor Dingley, we stood together
in this way at the signature of the McKin-
ley tariff act"
THAT was at the Capitol, however, re-
piled Mr.. Dingley.
The President rose and congratulated Mr.
Dingley on the successful ending Of his
long task and the members of the Cabinet
did likewise. Mr.. Dingley himself acknowl-
edged with thanks the kind words, and aft
er putting it carefully away-his pen hold
er-he left the room, and the ceremony was
at an end.