The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-03-06


ident-elect Mckinley on the two GEN.
4raI chairs in front OF the vice presi-
dent, with their backs to the clerks
desk and faces turned to the south
The vice president then called upon the
vice president-ele to take the oath
OF office. Garrett A. Hobar stood up
and, with uplifted hand. took the oath
Administered by Vice President Ste
venson and subscribed to it. Thereup-
on Mr.. Hobart took the chair and Mr..
Stevenson rose and delivered his fare
well speech. He said 1t ranked as chief
among the favors political fortune hac
bestowed upon him that, OF having
known something Of the friendship-ol
the men with whom he had SO lons
held official relation in this chamber
Then ne entered upon a defense OF
che rules OF the senate as follows:
1T must not be forgotten that the
rules governing this body are founded
deep In human experience; that they
are the result OF centuries OF tireles,
effort in legislative hall. to conserve,
to render stable and the rights
and liberties which have been
achieved by conflict. BY its rules tn,
senate wisely fixes the limits to it
own power. OF those who clamoi
against the senate and it's methods Of
procedure, it may be truly said: They
know not what they do In this cham
Der alone are preserved. without re-
straint, two essentials of wise legisla-
ton and OF good government-the
right OF amendment and of debate
Great evils often result from hasty leg
fslation-rarely from the delay which
follows full discussion and deliberation.
In my humble Judgment, the historic
Senate-preserving the unrestricted
right OF amendment and of debate,
maintaining intact the time honored
parliamentary methods and amenities
which unfailingly secure action after
acknowledgements in our scheme
OF government a value which cannot
be measured by words"
He closed by saying:
For the able and distinguished gen.
tleman who succeeds me as your pre-
siding officer, 1 earnestly invoke the
same cooperation and courtesy you
have generously accorded me-"
When Mr.. Stevenson concluded his
speech he o the seat which his sue
cessor a occupied, while Vice Pres
ident Hobart took the gavel and an
nounced prayer by the chaplain. The
tltude or reverence while the blind
chaplain of he senate, Mr.. Millburn,
opened the Fifty-ffth congress with
prayer.
Then Vice President Hobart made
his opening speech.
President Cleveland's proclamation
converting the senate in session for the
fourth Of March was read, and the
vice president called upon the newly
elected senators to come forward and
be sworn. Senator Morrill, had the dis
tinction conferred upon him, on ac-
Of his age and long service, Of
being sworn first and alone at the
clerks desk, the oath being admins
tered by Vice President Hobart. All
the newly elected senators who were
present, as well as old ones, were then
sworn in patches of half a dozen at a
time and subscribed the oath of office.
The new senators are fifteen in num-
Der. and old senators reelected twelve.
The came to a close at LOS
o'clock, when the order of exit and Iro-
cession to the inaugural platform r-o
put in execution. A ringing shout an
Hounced the approach from the senate
Of the official presidential party. 1t was
headed by Marshal Wright. Of the SUI
preme court and Marshal Wilson Of the
District of Columbia. Following then
We're members of the supreme court of
the United States headed by chief Tvs
tice Fuller, with Clerk McKenny carry
ing the Bible. Then the committee of
arrangements-Senator Sherman. FL
kins, and Mitchell of Wisconsin,. and
next President Cleveland and Presi-
fent-elect Mckinley. They took their
seats on the platform. Following these
other occupants Of the senate, headed
by Vice President Stevenson and the
snators, reached the platform. While
this was being done, the crowd enjoyed
themselves by singing "America" and
cheering for Mckinley, Cleveland, and
Sherman.
ON THE PLATFORM.
The first feature Of the ceremonial
was the administration of the oath OF
/ office. TIE Bible upon which the pres
ident took the oath of office was adj
cally different from any previously
used. Heretofore the book has beer in
the style know as a pocket Bible
But today the Bible was an immense
affair, a large family Bible, weighing
fully twenty pounds. 1t was a magnif-
cent specimen, bound in flexible covers
of black seal. In one of the lids was
inserted a silver plate inscriho1 OWL.
liam Mckinley, president of the United
States, inaugurated March 4,1S97." ~
Bible was prepared for the bishops O
the African M. z. church. IT is the in.
tention Of the bishops to formally pre-
sent h Bible to President Mckinley
The tumult was so great that the Ger
emony was a mere pantomine, voice.
of h chief justice and the presiden
being wholly inaudible to those within
a few feet Of him. When he arose t,
read his inaugural address there was
great cheer, but when it subsided tn,
crush and tumult of the restless NOV
ing crowd were SO great that it was still
impossible to hear q word.
The president e his address as fol
lows:
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS,.
Fellow Citizens: In obedience to tn
will of the people and in their presence
by authority vested in me by this oath.
assume the arduous and responsible du
ties Of president Of the United States, re
lying in the support Of my countryme
and invoking the guidance of Almight,
God. Our faith teaches that there is n
safer reliance than upon the God Of on
fathers, who has 50 singularly favore
the American people in every nationa
trial and who will not forsake us so lon
as we obey his commandments and wal
humbly in his footsteps. The responsi
bilitfes of the high trust to which I hav
been called, always of grave importance
are augmented by the prevailing bushes
conditions, entailing idleness upon willin
labor and loss to useful enterprise. Tt
country Is suffering from industrial dis
~turbances from which speedy relief mus
be had.
OUR FINANCIAL SYSTEM
needs some revision. our money is a
} good now, but its value must not furthe
no Threatened TT Sho111d oil no mt ~