The evening times., 1897-03-03


houses OF Congress and thousands OF
spectators, the solemn ceremony OF ad-
ministering the oath of office to President
elect Mckinley will be performed by Chief
Justice Melville w. Fuller tomorrow on
the east steps OF the Capitol. Should the
weather not permit the swearing-in viii
occur in the Senate chamber, and only mem
bers Of the Supreme Court, Senaors. Rep
rescntatives andssuch other men as are en-
titled to the floor of the Senate by the
rules of that body will be present.
The oath is short and Major Mckinley is
| expected TO repeat 1t after the Chief JUS
tice- He Will say:
II dc soiennly swear that L viii faith
fully ex xecute 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
There have been ten judicial officers
| who have administered the oath OF office
to a President-elect at the thirty inaugG-
rati1ns since the organization of the gov
! eminent. The roll OF these members of
the Judiciary is a famous one, and includes
/ for the most part the names of the chief
/ justices OF the Supreme Court. Three
only were members OF a lower branch OF
the judiciary.
| The first was Robert L. Livingston, who,
as chancellor OF New York, performed the
| swearng-in ceremony at the inauguration
! OF the first President. William Cranch,
chief Judge of the circuit court of the
| District OF Columbia, fifty-two years later,
| swore in the tenth President, and nine
| years afterward the thirteenth. Chester
| A. Arthur took the oath thirty-one years
later from Judge J r. Brady, OF the New
| York supreme court.
George Washington took the oath of
office on April so, 1883, in the Federal
bmldingofNew York city, having iourneyed
| from his home in Virginia TO New York for
| that purpose The trip was a continual
| ovation, the hero of the Revolution being
| escorted fr ON place to place by en-
thuSiaStic and adnhring citizens.
He was received in New York by Joint
! Congressional committee, which announced
| his presence. to Congress When WASH
| ington entered the Federal building to
| participate In the inaugural ceremonies
| Chancellor Livingston, of New York.
| discovered that Bible had not been pro-
! vided for the occasion. He was relieved
| from his embarrassment by remembering
that there was a Bible in the quarters of
| st. Johns Lodge. No. i, OF the Order OF
| Free MaSons, ,Ofwhich he was grandmaster,
which werein the immediate vicinity otthe
| Federal building. A messenger was dis
| patched for the sacred hook and few
| minutes later it was in Livingston hands,
ready for use.
The oath was not administered in the
| Senate chamber, but on a portico directly
/ in front Of it and facing on Broad street.
Washington was conducted to this point
ana was accompanied by John Adams, his
| Vice President; Gov. Clinton, of New York.
and the chancellor. Washington listened
with the Closest attention while the chan
celIor read the oath, his right hand resting
on the open pages of the book, which Mr..
Livingston held Upon the conclusion OF
the reading Washin gtOn kissed the book
1t has been stated that as he bent to do
so he murmured in an intense and fervid
tone:
II swear, so help me God"
The old Federal Hail. OF Philadelphia,
was the scene Of washington's second in
auguration The ceremony was witnessed
by a large gathering Of public men. The
Presidents inaugural address was listened
to with the closest attention, and the man
ner in which the speaker closed was sub
tect Of some favorable Comment atthe time
He said
Previous to the execution OF any Off
ciaI act of the President, the Cons titution
requires an oath of office. This oath am
now about to take, and in your presence,
that il it shall be found during my admin
istration of the government I have in any
instance violated the injunction thereof,
1 may tbesiGcs incurring constitutional pun
ishmentl, he subjected to the upraidiugs OF
an who are now witnesses Of the present
solemn ceremony"
When Washington had concluded, Vice
President Adams arose and said:
"Sir, one OF the justices of the United
States Supreme Court is now present and
ready TO administertoy you the oath required
by the Constitution tobe taken by the Presi-
dent OF the United States
Gen Washington then walked over toward
Justice OF ths Supreme Court William
Gushing. who read the oath tothe President
and heard his words OF assent
Chief Justice Oliver Ellsworth, OF Con-
nectiCut. was the first chief Justice of the
Supreme Court Of the United States to
administer the oath OF office 10 a Presi-
dent John Adams succeeded Washington
in the White House. All on March 4. 1897,
in the Federal Hall. Philadelphia, he was
sworn in by Chief Justice Ellsworth.
Thomas Jefferson's inaagurati ON oc-
CURED in the city OF Washington, TO which
the capital was transferred from Phila-
deIphia. Chief Justice John b. Marshall,
who had the honor OF swearing in the
largest number OF Presidents, here en-
tered upon this duty. In the Senate Han
OF the Capitol. now occupied by the SUI
prenie Court, jefferson read his inaugu raj
address. and upon it's conclusion, Mar
shan administered the oath to theFhew
President. This cffice was performed by
Marshall upon the occasion OF the seooad
Inauguration OF jefferson, which also
took place q the Senate Chamber. The
scene OF the ceremonies at Madison's first
Inauguration was transferred to the Han
OF the House of Representatives,, and the
figure OF Marshall occupied the same
dramatic position 10 had done in the two
preceding inauCurations- The second adj
ministration OF Madison began with the
administration of the oath by Marshall in
the Representatives Hall.
President MonroSOoS the oath of office, |
administered by Marshall, upon the ca st por- |
ticO Of the Capitol, and afieFward delivered |
his inaugural address, departure from the |
custom which had obtained UP to that time. |