The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-03-11
SENATE CEREMONIES.
Hobart Takes Oath of Office-Speeches
by Incoming and Outgoing
Vice Presidents.

Washington, March 4.-The senate
chamber was the center of attraction
today and the galleries presented Il
picture to which an artists palette alone
could do justice. The senate proceedings
were brief in terms between recesscs,
the time having gone by for anything
beyond the conference reports on the APP
preparation bills.
The senators We're startled shortly
after IL o'clock when former Queen
Iliuokalani entered the diplomatic gal
lery, accompanied by her secretary, Mr..
Palmer. She stood momentarily within
the doors while the officials hesitated as
though in doubt as what to do. The elm
barrassment was momentary. She was
given the most available seat, which, by
this time, was far in the rear.
The presidential party arrived at 1l.30
and entered the east reserved gallery.
Mrs. Mckinley, accompanied by her sis
ter. Mrs Barber, moved down the aisle
and took Il seat that had been reserved
for her. She smiled as she saw the
of the Inauguration committee. who sat
beside her. Following Mrs. Mckinley
came Mother Mckinley. who sat behind
her. The members of the supreme court
soon entered. The members of the house
of representatives, headed by Speaker
Reed and Mr.. Dingley, the tariff leader,
chen entered the chamber.
There was Il stir of interest when the
vice president-elect was announced. Mr..
Hobart entered from the right door,
bowed to the senators and officials and
| stepped to the seat near the presiding
officers desk.
All this was but accessory to the main
scene which had been so eagerly await
ed-thc arrival of President Cleveland
and President-elect Mckinley. 1t was
just 1:35 when they entered the main
doors, facing the vice-persident AS they
moved down the central aisle, Mr.. Cleve-
land was Il trihe in advance. stepping
haltingly and with II suggestion of his
looked grave. Mr.. Mckinley followed
closely, stepping easily down the aisle,
his poise being easy and dignitied He
bowed to the presiding officer and with
Mr.. Cleveland was seated facing the
presiding officer in the front row. The
senators were seated to the left. The
members of the house filed the entire
body of the hall on the right and oppo-
site to the senators and senatOrs-elect.
AS the presidential party took their
seats. Vice President Stevenson arose
and invited his successor to step forward
and take the oath of office. Mr. Hobart
stood before the desk, raised his right
hand and sworc to support the. consttu-
| ton.
| Mr. Stevenson then delivered his val
edictory address, speaking hoarsely. He
said:
Senators. the hour has arrived which
marks the close of the r'ifty-fourth CON
grcss and terminates my official relation
to this body. Before laying down the
| gavel for the last time | may be pardoned
| for OBTAINING you moment in the attempt
TO give expression to my gratitude for the
uniform courtesies extended me. for the
many kindnesses shown me- during the
time it has been my good fortune to pre-
side over your deliberations. My appreci-
alton of the resolution of the senate per-
sOnally to myself can find no adequate eX-
preston in words. Intentionally | have
at no time given offense, and | entertain
no feeling of unkindness towards any SEN
atOr. no memory of grievance.
Chief among the favors political for
tune have bestowed upon me- | count that
of having been the associate and having
known something of the friendship of men
with whom have so long held official re-
lations in this chamber. TO have been
presiding officer of this august chamber
is an honor of which tIost illustrious citi-
zcns might well he proGd. am confident
that no occupant of the chair during the
Is years of our constitute nal history ever
entered upon the duties pertaining to this
office more deeply impressed with the re-
sponsbilities imposed or with higher APP
probation of the character or dignity of
the great legislative assembly. During
the term Just closed questions of deep
importance to political parties and to the
country have here fOrnd earnest and ut
times passionate discussion. This cham
her has. indeed. been the arena of great
debate. The record of four years of par
lamentary struggles. of masterful de-
bates. of important legislation, is closed
and passes now to the domain of history.
| think | can truly say, i'll the words of
Il distinguished predecessor, In the dis
charge of my official duties have known
no cause. no party. no friend 1t has
been my earnest endeavor justly to in
terpret and justly to execute the rules
of the senate. AT times the temptations
may have been strong 10 compass party
ends by disregard or a pervcrson of the
rules. Yet think it is safe to say that the
victory, however salutary. would he dear
ly purchaser by II departure from the
methods prescribed by the senate for its
own guidance. A single instance thus
provided might prove the forerunner of
untold disaster. 1t must not be forgot
ten that the rules governing this body are
founded in human exL erience; that they
fort in legislative hall. To conserve. to rem
der stable and secure the rights and lib
critics which have peer achieved by con-
fict. BY rules the senate wisely fixes the
limits of its own power. OF those who
clamor against the senate and its methods
of procedure. il may truly be- said: They
know not what they no.. In this cham
Der alone are preserved without restraint
two essentials of WISE legislation and of
good government-the right of amendment
and of debate. Great evils often result
from fastened gislation-rarely from the
delay which follows 1ull discussion and
deliberation. Within my own humble
Judgment this historic senate. preserving
the unrestricted right of amendment and
of debate maintaining intact time hOnOred
parliamentary methods and amenities
which unfailingly secure action after de-
liberation. preserves in our scheme of gov
eminent a value which can not be ex-
pressed in words. | would do violence to
my feelings if | failed to express my
thanks to the officials of this body for |
the dignity with which they have dis
charged their honorable duties and for |
the timely and unfailIng courtesies of |
which / have been the recipient. For the |
Ible and distinguished gentleman who