The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-03-05

been used on similar occasions. 1t was
an immense large family Bible, weighing
fully twenty pounds. 1t WAS 4 inagniI-
cient specimen of topographic and book
binders art, bound in flexible covers, of
black seal. IN one of the lid, WAS in
serted IL silver plate inscribed, "Wiiliam
Mckinley, President OF the United States,
Innugurated March i, 1897
The Bible was pref AIRED for. the bishops
Of the NJ. T.. Church. 1t was conveyed
to the capitol in Il handsome satin.lined
oak casket with brass trimmings, the
whole package weighing about fifty
pounds. 1t is the intention of the bishops
to formally present the Bible to President
Mckinley. The tumult was so great
that the ceremony was mere pantomine,
the voices of the chief justice. and the
President being wholly inaudible TO those
within II few feet of them. When the
President arose to read his inaugural adj
dress, there was Il great cheer, but when
it subsidized, the crush and 'tumut of the
restless moving crowd were so great that
it WAS still impossible to hear word
Crowds surged around the stand and
mauy ladies were almost crushed. Cries
of police were the only cries that could be
recognized in the confusion. The sitra-
tion was somewhat relieved By some of
the crowd moving away and giving more
room to those near the speaker.
Mr. Mckinley said
Fellow citizens: In obedience to the
will of the people and in their presence
and by authority vested in me by this
Office | assume the arduous and RESPONSE
bic duties of President of the United
States, relying upon the support of my
countrynen and invoking the guidance
of Almighty God. Our faith teaches that
there is no safer reliance than upon the
nj IN bnr ,,l, 81, ,,.i,
favored the American people in every
national trial, and who will not forsake
us so long rs we obey his command
ments and walk humby in his footsteps
The responsibilities of the high trust to
which | have beeu called-always of
grave mportance-are augmented by the
prevailing business conditions entailing
idleness upon willing labor and loss To
useful Enterprise. The country is suffer
ing from industrial disturbances. from
which speedy relief must be had Our
financial system. needs some revision. Our
money is all good now, but its value
must not further he threatened 1t
should all he put upon an enduring basis,
not subject to easy attack, nor its sta.
bility to doubt or dispute. Ourcnrrency
should continue under the supervision Of
the Government. The several forces of
our paper money offer, in my Judgment,
touStttl5 ciu1ldTidSSfDtnU TO the NTON'
eminent and II safe balance lin the treas
nry. Therefore believe it necessary to
devise Il system which, without diminish
ing the circulating medium, or Offering /.
premium for its contraction, will pre-
sent u remedy Tor those dsarran gements
which, temporary in their nature, might
we'll in the years of our prosperity have
been displaced by wiser provisions
with adequate revenue secured, hut not
Until then, we can enter upon such
changes in our fiscal laws ms will, white
lnSurlng safety and volume to our money,
no longer impose upon the Government
the necessity OF maintaining so large u
gold reserve with its attendant and inevi-
table temptation to speculation. Most of
our financial laws are the outcro,vth o!
experience and trial and should not he
amended without investigation and de-
monstration OF the wisdom of the pro.
posed changes. We must be both ''sure
we are right and make haste SLOWLY
If, then, Congress in it's wisdom shall