The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-05

WASHINGTON, d. c.. March 4.-Wil-
fam Mckinley. Of Ohio. was to-day In
ftalled as President Of the. United States
for the torn of four years, continuing
unti the 4th OF March. 1901, and Grover
Cleveland for the second time passed from
the exercise OF the high o4ice Of Presi-
dent, and re-entered private life. In his
capacity as ex-President he has but one
living contemporary. his immediate pre-
decessor, Benjamin Harrison. All the
others who within the last thirty years.
by election or succession, have presided
over tho destinies Of the Great American
Republic-Ilncoln, johnson, Grant. Hayes.
Garfield, and Arthw-have Joined the
silent majority.
Incidental TO tho actual assuming OF th9
office OF President, and slightly preceding
It In point OF time, Garret A. Hobart df
New Jersey Ga gentleman not heretof3re
prominent in national politics., took {the
oath Of Office as Vice-President Of the
United states, and was installed af ex-
oflcio presiding officer OF the SENATE
The rain Of yesterday was followfd by
verrsss'~stsr~f sa,f.-efssr, sr,'cccf- eFisp:;-
invlgorating. with bright sunshiJe and
Heecy clouds TO enliyen the scene(
PROCEEDINGS OF THE DAf.
The proceedings Of the day verb char
aclerized by all the imposing eftacular
effects and demonstrations OF popular
interest, which have become II growing
feature of inaugural ceremonief, as the
nation has advanced in population and
wealth. Between forty and f4ty thous-
and men formed in processifn, partly
military, partly civic and escorted the
President and the President-4 4ect TO and
from the Capitol. At least twenty thou
sand people witnessed the (dmininstra-
tion of the oath Of ofice IL the eastern
portico OF the Capitol. aIfd listened or
attempted to listen to the 4elivery of the
new Presidents brief inaugural address;
end at night gorgeou4 state ball, at
which the President and Vice-P President
will be present. will clos{ tho proceedings
The graceful interohajnge of courtesies
between the outgoing {and incoming Of
ficials which has onlyf twice been inter-
mitted-once when tfun John Adams
packed his gripsack fnd slipped out OF
the White House at 5daylight on the 4th
OF March to avoid Shaking hands with
his hated FederalisJ successor, the Elu-
strious jefferson, and once within living
memory when Gfneral Grant because
of his strained personal relations with
Andrew JohnsoI Grove in his buggy
from the old War Departments TO the
Capitol. accom1anied only by General
John A. Rawli1s. his chief Of staff-were
on this occasifn exercised to the fun ex-
tent. Mr.. Cl(veland and Mr.. Mckinley
rode side by fide TO and from the Capitol.
They had yined together at the White
House th2fday before and they iunched
in each Others company on the day ia
which tlIay Transferred the government
OF this lfreat nation the one to the other.
An adHitional air OF cordiality was in
fused Unto the proceedings by the SINH
larit4 between the views entertained by
the 1etring President and his Cabinet
on ffnancial questions, and those upon
which the successful candidate Of the
ReKublican party was elected. Mr..
cleveland, IN truth. felt more gratifca-
tlHn probably in installing at the Capt.
"A az his successor the leader OF an op-
ossng political party than he would
tave had In escorting under like clrcucl-
stances the leader chosen by his own
yDolitical associates as their candidate for
the Presidency. This innovation on the
elsually closely drawn partisan lines OF
american politics gave added plquancy
70 the proceedings.
a BAD TIME FOR 1T.
fRepeated but unsuccessful efforts have
tbeen made OF late years TO change by
legislation the date OF the inauguration
tperemOny 10 later period Of the sea-
bon. 50 as 10 avoid the uncertainties and
frequent inclcmencica OF climate. which
treyall In Washington IN the early part
Pf March. In 1859. when President Grant
lsas inducted into Office for the first time.
The weather was 80 bitterly cold that
Ehe soldiers froze at their posts. and
tnany OF the participants IN the proceed
kngs subsequently died from the direct
Enecty Of the Sxposere 10 which they
&gere subjected. Garaeld's Inauguration
bay was ushcred in by an early morning
4now storm which, however. melted rapid
n ~ IN the Subsequent sunshine. Benjamin
Harrison rode 20 the White House IN a
cold and drenehlng rain. worse 20 en-
dure than snow. and delivered his ad-
dress bare.headed Ia The open air al the
peril Of bis life 10 an audience hidden
under q forest OF umbrellas.
For eiRhty years ever since 1917, when
sa1nen Monroe. the eighth President Of
1 the United Etates. initiated the practice.
II has been the almost nueroken custom
for the chief Justice OF the United States
10 administer the oath II Office to the
pfesldenf-elecs IN the opea air, the high
participating officials standing Oh plat
form erected in front Of the eastern pof-
tlco Of the Capitol. This rule has ocea-
s,onallv been deviaied from when Presl-
DENT v,as reelected 70 succeed himself,
ar when 4 vlce-presidsnk has succeeded
10 ne Office through the death OF tho
prest6enf There was one other notable
,seeption In the case Of Presldent hayes.
SxIs ina1sufstion Gay faiisns on sunaay'