Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1897-03-13


leadership in so grand q work
1t has been the uniform practice to avoid, as
extraordinary session. 1t is an example which,
under ordinary circumstances and in the alb
sence of public necessity, is tob commended.
But the failure to convene the representatives
Of the people In copgi ess In extra session when
it involves neglect OF public duty, places tho
responsibility OF such neglect upon the exeou-
tive himself. The condition OF the public treas
ury, as has been indicated, demands the inn
mediate consideration of congress, 1t alone
has the power to provide revenues for the coun-
try. Not to convene 1t under such circum-
stances, 1 can view In no other sense than the
neglect of plain duty. do not symptthize
with the sentiment that congress in session Is
dangerous to our general business interest Its
members are the agents of the people, and
the execution of their sovereign will should not
operate as an injury, but II be leht.
There could be no better time to put the gov
ernment upon sound financial and economic
basis than now. The people have only recently
voted that this should be done, and nothing IL
more binding upon the agents of their will
than the obligation OF immediate action 1t
has always seemed to me that the postpone
ment of the meeting of congress until moro
than year after it has been chosen deprived
congress too often of the inspiration of the
popular will and the country OF the correspond
ing benefits. 1t is evident, therefore, that to
postpone action in the presence of great
necessity would be unwise on the part of the
executive, because unjust to the interests of
the people. Our action will now be freer from
mere partisan consideration than IL the ques-
tion of tariff revision was postponed until the
regular session of congress. We are nearly two
years from congressional election, and politics
cannot so greatly distract us as II such contest
was Immediately pending. We can approach
the problem calmly and patriotically, without
fearing its effect upon upon an early election.
Our fellow citizens who may disagree with us
upon the character of this legislation prefer to
have the question settled now even against
their preconceiyed views-and perhaps settled
so reasonably, and L trust and believe twill,
as to insure great permanence-than to have
further uncertainty menacing the vast and
nrin nd tnnS tnt of n 1ntf IN
Again, whatever action congress may take vii
be given a fair opportunity for trial before the
people are called to pass Judgment upon 1t; and
this consider great essential to the rightful
and lasting settlement of the question. In
view of these considerations, I snail deem 1t
my duty as president to convene congress in
extraordinary session on Monday, the 18th day
of March, 1897.
In conclusion. congratulate the country
upon the fraternal spirit of the people and the
manifestations of good will everywhere so ap-
parent The recent election not only most
fortunately demonstrated the obliteration OF
sectional or geographical lines. but to some ex-
tent also the prejudiees which for years have
distracted our councils and marred our true
greatness as nation. The triumph of the peo-
pie whose verdict is carried into effect to-day
is not the triumph of one section, nor wholly
of one party, but OF all sections and of all the
people. The north and the south no longer
divide on the old lines, but upon principles and
policies; and In this fact surely every lover of
the country can find cause for true felici-
tation. Let us rejoice. in and culti--
vate this spirit; it is enobling and
will be both a gain and blessing to our beloved
country. It will be my constant aim to do
nothing and permit nothing to be done that
will arrest or disturb this growing sentiment
of unity and corporation, this revival of es-
TEEN. and afiliation which now animates SO
many thousands in both the old antagonistic
sections, but shall cheerfully do everything
possible to promote and increase it. Let me
again repeat the words of the oath admin
istered by the chief justice, which in their re-
spective spheres so far as applicable, would
have all my countrymen observe: II will
1ta thn nf1n noff Of tha
United States and will, to the best of my
ability, preserve. protect. and defend the con-
stitution Of the United States"
This is the obligation have reverently taken
before the Lord Most High. To keep it will be
my my single @ purpose, l3 my constant . prayer-and
assistance of all the people in the discharge of
my solemn responsibilities
Immediately after the close of his ad-
dress, President Mckinley and ex-Pres-
ident Cleveland re-entered their car
riage and We're driven to the White
House amid tumultuous cheers all
along the route, President Mckinley
this time occupying the seat of honor
to the right. The procession, reinforced
by the numerous civic organizations
which had been assembled on Capitol
hill since morning, reformed and
marched down the avenue and past the
White House, where they were re-
viewed by the president and his friends
from special stand erected for that
purpose in front of the edifice.
The illuminations at night surpassed
any former display in Washington and
the fireworks were exceptionally fine.
For the first time in the history of the
government general order issued by
iTiva off
every electric and gas light in the
great department buildings to be
lighted, with brilliant results. The
classic roof lines of the treasury were
outlined with incandescent bulbs, a
huge American shield ornamented the
state department facade, and from the
highest elevation of the war depart
ment a 60-foot garrison flag foated
against the black sky, illuminated by
the powerful beams of search lights.
Other search lights brought out the
grandeur of the Washington monu-
ment and the Capitol. A feature of
ascension from which the national col.
ors picked out in fire We're suspended
above the city.
The inaugural ball has become "
notable feature of the festivities con.
nected with the installation of presi.
dent of the United States, but in its
earlier days no such elaboration was
attempted as that which marked thu
grand function given last night in thu
pension office building.
The interior of the pension Office
building is great court. Eight broad
pillars supporting the roof form tho
only interference with comprehen-
sive view of the ball room. These pill
lars had been transformed into har-
mony with the decorations by the pro-
cess of marbleizing. The end of the
court was the triumph of the decora-
tors art. 1t was representation in
golden challie cloth of the golden gate
at the worlds fair.
Just before o'clock, the hour set for
the function to begin, the current gov
erning the electric lights was turned
on and the intariOr WAS tran c form ad