The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-03-11
president M'K|N[EY.
BRILLIANT INAUGURAL FESTIV-
tiles CONCLUDED WITH
OUT A HITCH.
Oath OF OFFICE ADMINISTERED,
TO THE NEW PRESIDENT, VICE
PRESIDENT AND SEVERAL
SENATOR'S.
CLEVELAND ESCORTS EkINLEY TO The CAPITOL
A SEA OF PATRIOTIC PEOPLE
- CROWDED ABOUT THE
PLATFORM.
THE BIG Big PARADE A GATHERING SUCCESS.
Mother and Mrs Mckinley Were Joyous
Witnesses of the Ceremonies
Decorations in the Capital City
Were Never Excelled in
Any Country.
A SEA OF PATRIOTIC PEOPLE
= CROWDED ABOUT THE
PLATFORM.
THE BIG Big PARADE A GATHERING SUCCESS.

Washington, March At has been II
day of national acclaim, non-partisan
demonstration of vast proportions, BY
which the American people. without re-
gard to section or political alliance, have
hailed u new president and with him
the launching of his administration upon
unknown seas. 1t was a memOrab BILE day
in the new presidents career, from sun
rise to the putting out of the lights of
the inaugural ball room, and there were
unbroken demonstrations from all quar-
tiers.
Before the readers can see these pages
the lines of opposition will be forming
in the gray of morning, for assault on
the new administration. But this day
the people of all classes and politics, as
if uttering nations laundering voice,
have welcomed and aided to install their
president, not as the executive of any
= party, but as the head of the national
Government. 1t has been great state
AFFAIR in the broadcast sense, a tribute to
the man, but a national demonstration
in honor of the high office
The weather was gloriOusly beautiful.
appropriate for such n day.
No previous Inauguration has equalrd
it in careful preparations. In every lea
ture outside the capitol jurisdiction, on
cept the visiting organizations, it is II
Washington affair. 1t Is the only ma
tional demonstration in which the I'M
represented residents of the capita are
the leaders and in sole control. They
guarantee all expenditures by public sub
scriptiOn, and they have Il representative
committee of its most influential citizens.
washington has spent months of time
and unremtting attention to the arrange
ments for properly carrying it out. Its
Inauguration committee is made up
equally of democrats. and republicans.
This is n fair exponent of the thorough
ly non-partisan character of this national
pageant. On this occasion Washington
has well played her part in the opening
drama of an administration.
The city was astir early. Its own pop
uation and the strangers within its rates
move. with the great crowds from all
quarters to Pennsylvania avenue, to view
the decorations. Hours before the Or
ganized columns passed over the line Of
march an army of visitors closed i'll on
the avenue in Il mass far exceeding the
formal array that was to follow, and
Swarmed for hours over it. Citizens of
every grade and station i'll most demo-
cratic Fashion took first view of every
thing.
After this general inspection by the
people, came their two servants, numer-
ously and CALAMITY attended. Mr.. Clevc-
land, whose stewardship was ended, es-
corted Maj. Mckinley to the capitol,
where the honors and burdens of the
citizens were to be laid upon him.
Meantime, from every quarter came
the sound of bands leading the columns
into their appointed places, east of the
capitol whence, later. they would fall
into the united lines of the grand partle.
Great streams of citizens poured into the
Hipaces open to them. eastward from the
Neviewing stand in front of the senate
wing. awaiting the presence of the oili-
cal party from the senate chamber. In
and about the capitol roamed the crowd.
The senate wing was closed to all. eX
cept those formally connected with the
exercises and the few invited guests
which the contracted chamber could &C.
commodate. The guests and press rep
resentatives crowded the galleries nnG
looked down on our representatives. The
members of the house of representatives.
leaving their chamber at noon. appeared
last upon the floor of the senate. The
new vice president took the oath of Office
ana the ne'Y senators were sworn in and
inaugurated
The nation could not furnish any more
Imposing spectacle The crowds on the
small floor of the senate were the three
coordinate branches of the government
IN the personages of their most promi-
nent men. the legislative branch in force,
'ASNutiNt WIFI Ills anu the
new executive with his cabinet, repre-
Sentng the past and future. the army
ana navy in their plumes. their gold and
,,helr glitter, the diplomatic corps in its
.ace and decorations, the supreme court
IN its black robes, and citizens in ord- |
nary dress representing the. unpretend
ing millions of the land.
Inc brief ceremonies were quickly over
ana the official company formed in twos,
pissed out of the chamber and on to the
platform at the east front. At its first |
appearance the waiting thousands broke
out into great cheers of welcome. which |
rolled and was taken up by others. while |
nose authorized to do so poured on to |
me platform and filled its seats.
Then came the taking of the oath by |
MAI. Mckinley. This was the climax |
OF the crowds enthusiasm and as Maj |
mckinley advanced to deliver his inaug- |
kral address these snrging waves of |
FOUND gave way to still more impressive |
silence. He looked out upon wonderful
scene. The steps and balconies and