Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1897-03-11
ground out with a speed which made
those spectators who have been watching

ground out with a speed which made
those spectators who have been watching
progress of this great national legislative
mill for the past two years dizzy. An inn
mense throng of people stood round the
outer doors of the Capitol, beseeching,
clamoring, demanding admission, but the
police, obedient to orders issued by their
superiors, because the capacity of the
building could not be stretched, refused
admission to all save those who held tick
cts to the Senate, where the dignitaries
of the nation were assembled.
A sound nights rest put the President
elect in perfect condition for the exhaust
ing functions of the day. He had retired
early, SO that he enjoyed full nights
repose, and the beneficial effect was plain
ly visible when he arose Thursday morn
ing and saluted Mrs. Mckinley with the
remark that it was the first day of her
accession to the dignity and title of the
first lady of the land.
At five minutes to 10 O'Clock Senator
Sherman and Senator Mitchell of Wis
consin, of the Senate committee appointed
to conduct the Inauguration, appeared and
announced that they had come to escort
the President-elect to the Capitol. They
were admitted at once and exchanged
greetings with Mr.. and Mrs. Mckinley.
Soon the President-elect emerged from
his reception room on the arm of Senator
Sherman. He looked calm and walked
firmly. just behind him came Secretary
Porter, with Senator Mitchell of Wiscon-
sin. Capt Heistand of the army, with
Abner Mckinley, brought up the rear and
kept back the people who pressed upon the
party, even in the hotel corridors.
AS the party emerged from the private
entrance of the Ebbitt there was roar of
applause that shook the buildings. The
street was packed with a solid mass of
people, through which the carriage that
was to convey the President-elect to the
White House could scarcely be driven.
While the police struggled to clear a
passage through the crowd the President
elect stood at the head of the granite steps
and bowed his acknowledgements. The
applause became deafening as he crossed
the sidewalk and mounted the carriage
step. so great that he stopped again, while
the horses reared and champed uneasily in
the din, and turned from side to side with
uncovered head, his face expressing the
appreciation he felt of this great manifes-
tation of popular esteem. The President
elect was seated with Senator Sherman.
sitting on the rear seat. and Senator
Mitchell and Mr.. Porter occupied the
front seat.
The start was made for the White
House amid renewed cheering by the
crowd. Troop A of the Cleveland crack
cavalry troop. comprising about 100 men,
splendidly mounted on black chargers.
opened the way through the mass of peo-
pie, with line stretching almost across
the street; the coachman gave the word
to his horses, the carriage fell in behind
and the way was taken down Fourteenth
street to Pennsylvania avenue and to the
White House.
Scene in the Senate.
The Senate chamber was the center of
attraction. The presidential family ar
rived at IL 80 Mrs. Mckinley. accom-
panied by her sister, Mrs. Barber. took
a front seat which had been reserved for
her Following the wife of the new Pres
ident came the venerable Mrs. Mckinley.
Sr., CARRIED BETTING her years. The