Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1897-03-08


Crowded with Lookers-on-Usual Cour-
tesies Exchanged Between Retiring and
Jucoming Chief Magistrate Vice Presi-
dent Hobart Takes the Office-The
Inauguration Ball Eclipsed All Past
Functions Description of the Grand
Han-Incidents of the Day Presidents
inaugural LID Full.
Washington, March 4.-Today for the
fourth tine in the history of this great
republic, native-born citizen of Ohio,
in tie presence of untold thousands of
his countrymen, and beneath the great
bronze goddess who stands in her lofty
place symbolic of the idea that created
this proud nation, bent his head over the
sacred book and took the solemn oa-h
which bound him for four long years to
watch over and guard the welfare of the
American people. It was an impressive
yet beautifully simple ceremony that
marked the accession of William McKin-
ley of Ohio, student, lawyer, representa-
tive, governor, but best of all, one of the
common people so dear to the American
the United States of America. There was
a flash of gratified triumph in the dark
eye beneath the broad white brow that
scanned the shouting and cheering mui-
titude that confronted him on the broad
terrace of the east front of the Capitol,
but an expression of humility mingled
with realization of the heavy burdens he
was about to assume, and of manly de-
termination faithfully to discharge the
manifold duties of his high office as he
bent his head and repeated in clear
voice the words, II do solemnly swear
that I will faithfully execute the office
of president OF the United States, and
will, to the best of my ability, preserve,
protect and defend the constitution Of
the United States
Thus did William Mckinley gather
from the hand of Grover Cleveland the
reins of power and become President OF
the United States, the 23d of that grand
line of rulers chosen by the American
people. There have been many inaugu-
rations in Washington, but in many re-
spects that of March 4, 1897, will go down
in history excelling all that have gone
before. The citizens of the Capitol city
ergy unknown even in this public spir..
tied community. In beauty. in taste, III
novelty, the decorations of the city were
incomparabiy superior to anything ever
seen before in Washington; the magni-
ficent body OF regular United States
troops was more numerous than any
gathered since Grants great display at
the close of the war; II sovereign states
their citizens n ha i'm nf
and over so civil organizations helped to
swell its magnificent proportions
The line of march of the parade was
longer than usual-full four miles in fact
made so to ease the pressure of spec
tators upon the line in the central Sec
ton of the city, and to ensure the main
tenance in line unbroken. General Hor-
ace Porter, the grand marshall reviewed
the parade from point on Vermont ave-
nue. and K street, we'll along towards the
place set for disbanding.
To witness all this display there was q
mighty gathering Of the American people
in the capital. For weeks the railroads
and steamboats, have been hauling heavv
loads of pilgrims to the heart of the great
nation as the 4th drew near, these grew
even larger, and all through the night
and throughout the forenoon hours to-
day accessions swelled the great total of
rangements made by the citizens com
mittee. all Of these were we'll cared for,
and no one will go forth from Wash
ington with just ground of complaint on
the score of neglect.
President-electS Mckinley. who had
left his handsomely f1tted-up suite of
rooms at the Ebbitt House sufficiently
early to pay his call of ceremony on the
retiring president, was driven to the
White House, escorted by the senate
committee appointed for that purpose.
where, in one of the handsome state
apartments. he was received and wei
coined by President Cleveland and his
cabinet
Then the two presidents descended
the White House steps and together en-
tered a fOur-hOrse carriage, Mr.. CIeye-
land sitting 70 the right, ard amid the
booming of cannon, the clatter of cav
airy, the deep, Toarse rumble of artil-
lery, the measured tramp of many col
umns of infantry, and the blare of in
Vulnerable bands. the marcl, to the Capt.
tol began.
In the meantime the houses of congress
were making preparations for their part
in the ceremonies. The house of repre-
sentatives, headed by Speaker Reed.
proceeded in a booty tc the senate cham
Der, where seats had been assigned them.
Vice President Adai E. Stevenson pre-
sided over the joint assembly but simply
till the hour should arrive when he would
step down to make way for his success
sor.
The extra session of the senate of the
Fifty-fifth congress, called by President
Cleveland to meet at IL noon, March !,