The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1897-03-11
THE NEW CABINET.
Formal Installation Of the Prestdent's
Chosen Advisers.

Chosen Advisers.
Washington, March s.-The swearing
in of all the members of the cabinet ex-
cept Mr.. Gage, secretary of the treas
Try, in a body at the white house Satur-
day, was pleasant departure from the
usual routine in connection with q
change of administration. Heretofore
it has been the custom to administer the
oath of Office to the new secretaries at
their respective departments, generally
by the chief Justice of the supreme
court of the United States. but the coin
cident presence of the members of the
court and of the cabinet at the executive
mansion made the unusual incident not
only possible, but highly approprite.
The members of the ca binet, save Mr..
Gage, had assembled in the cabinet
room at 1O:3O for a consultation with
the president. They were thus engaged
when the presence of the chief justice
and associate justices accompanied by
Reporter Davis, Clerk Mckinney, and
Marshal Wright in the blueroom below
was announced. President Mckinley
promptly came downstairs and received
the congratulations of his distinguished
visitors.
President Mckinley replied gracefully
to the congratulations of his visitors
and after few minutes spent in general
conversation, he said the members OF
the cabinet were upstairs and if it was
agreeable to the members of the court
he would like to present them. The
Justices were glad of the opportunity
to meet the cabinet officers under these
auspices and they were invited into the
biueroom. The introductions having
been made, Chief Justice Fuller sug-
gested that the members of the cabinet
might be sworn in then and there, which
suggestion was instantly accepted.
The commissions and oaths of office had
been prepared and were in the office of
Secretary Porter.
They were brought down, together
with two tables, inkstands and pens,
and the ceremony begun. The oaths
were administered in the following or
der: To Secretary Sherman. by Chief
Justice Fuller; to Secretary Alger, by
Justice Brown; to Attorney-General
McKenna by Chief Justice Fuller; to
Secretary Long by Justice Gray;to Post
master-General Gary, by Chief Justice
Fuller; to Secretary Bliss, by Justice
Peckham; to Secretary Wilson. by Chief
Justice Fuller.
Each official signed the oath of office,
and Secretary Sherman performed his
first: official act by countersigning the
commissions of himself and associates.
The affair was informal and pleasant,
being conducted in the most democratic
spirit. Secretary Porter was present
in the room, and the scene was wit
messed through the open door by num-
Der of persons in the corridor. Shortly
after the formalities had been com
p]eted the gathering broke up, Presi-
dent Mckinley and his cabinet return
ing upstairs, and the justices of the
supreme court proceeding to the capitol
for their regular Saturday consuIta-
ton. Chief Justice Fuller, accompanied
by Clerk McKenna, drove to the treas
ury department, where Secretary Gage
had been detained by company of
visitors, largely from Chicago, number
ing over 200. In the presence of these,
the oath of office was administered to
the new secretary, and the function
was COMPLETED.