Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-03-12
WILLIAM MKINLEY IN
AUGURATED.
Mr.. CLEVELAND STEPS OUT
Ccrc monies Accompanying the Transfer
or Government the Grandest Ever
Witnessed in Washington-The
Ball a Magnificent Spectacle
Tho Presidential Party
and Their Costumes.

auguration in the history of the re-
public, William Mckinley assumed the
Presidency, the highest Office within
the gift of the American people The
weather was appropriate for such Il
day, gloriously beautiful.
Never before was an administration
launched upon its unknown future
with more impressive demonstration.
The city was early astir. Its own
population and the strangers within
its gates moved in great tides from all
quarters toward Pennsylvania avenue
to view the decorations. Hours before
the organized columns passed over the
line of march an army of visitors,
closed in mass, far exceeding the
formal array that was to follow,
swarmed for hours over it. The citi-
zens of every grade and station in
most democratic fashion took first
view,of everything. After this gen.
eral inspection BY the people came
their two servants, numerously and
gallantly attended, Mr.. Cleveland,
whose stewardship was ending, escort
Ing Major William Mckinley to the
capitol, where the honors and the bur-
dens of the succession were to be laid
upon him.
Meantime from every quarter came
the sounds of bands leading the col
unns into their appointed places east
OF the capitol, whence, later, they
would file into the united lines of the
grand nnrnIa (,rant ctr Of ,if;-
Gems poured into the immense spaces
open TO them eastward from the re.
viewing stands in front of the Senate
wing, awaiting the appearance of the
official party from the Senate chamber
In and about that room the official
pageant of the inaugural ceremonies
gathered. The Senate wing was closed
TO all except those formally connected
with the exercises and the few invited
guests which the contracted chamber
could accommodate Four tickets to
each senator, two for representative,
twenty as the sole provision for the
leading employees and 200 for the press
of the entire country represented the
unofficial attendance. Those crowded
the galleries and looked down on the
concentrated representatives of our
and the ambassadors and ministers of
the nations The members of the de-
funct House of Representatives., leav-
ing their chamber at noon, appeared
last npon the floor of the Senate, The
new Vice President took the oath of
office. new senators were sworn in
and until the waiting President-elect
should proceed to the platform in
trout of the Senate and there be in
augurated, Mr. Hobart would be act
ing President.
The nation could furnish no more
Imposing official audience. Crowded
upon the small floor of the Senate
wera the three coordinate branches of
the government, in the persons of
their most prominent men; the legisla
tive branch in force. the executive of
the immediate past with his cabinet,
and the new executive and cabinet,
representing the past and the un-
KNOWN future; the Supreme court in
dts robes; the army and navy in their
plumes. their gold and their glitter;
the diplomatic corps in it's lace and
decorations and citizens in ordinary
dress representing the unpretending
millions of the land.
over, and the official company, form
ing in twos, filed out of the chamber,
and passed on to the platform at the
east front. With it's first appearance,
She waiting thousands broke out into
tremendous cheers of welcome, while
the procession, followed by the occu
pants of the galleries, routed over
seats. This general acclaim greeted
the President-to-be with shout, which
was the climax of its enthusiasm, and
ms Major Mckinley advanced to de-
liver his inaugural address, these snrg-
ing waves of sound gave way to still
more impressive silence.
He looked out upon a wonderful
scene. The step, the balconies and
every projection of the capitol front
and the dome were crowded. 1t was
as if that granite facade was banked
to the roof with visiting thousands.
The front of the library swarmed with
people from every street and avenue,
looking toward the capitol projected
groups of horsemen and the heads of
columns awaiting the order to March.
And everywhere shining banners
waved.
Major Mckinley, standing on a
raised platform, well advanced at
salient spot, was readily distinguished
by his magnificent audience, and those
who could not hear were content to see.
There was universal silence as the
black-robed justice of the supreme
court administered the solemn oath
which made William Mckinley Presi-
dent of the United States. Then the
seal of silence was broken by the reign
,of sound deep, swelling, all-pervad-
ing, dominating sound-as if surging
sea were rolling over the land before
the driving of king of storms. AS
the many bands joined the mighty ac-
claim the organized columns marched
into place, the grand review was in
motion. and the currents and waves of
humanity began to flow toward the
lines of its march.
Moving promptly in from all streets
and avenues, centering on the part
east of the capitol, the column of pa
rade was quickly formed along the
spacious plaza extending to the front
OF the House and Senate wing of the
central buildings.
The new President entered his car
rage and the column circllng the
great white temple of the nation, in