The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-03-05

School Battalion. Major c. x. Wormley
commanding. Lieut.. VIM. o. Davis. al
jutant
THE OATH
Washington. March i.--tSpecial ~ the
AstOrian The Bible on which Mr.. Mc.
Klniey took the oath Of Office as pres.
ident Of the United States II hand.
some and costly book made especially
for the occasion and presented to the
new president by Bishop Arnott. Of
wilberforce college. colored institu-
ton In the Buckeye state. on behalf
Of the American Methodist Episcopal
church.
The book on which he was sworn
in TO the highest office within the gift
Of the people was matter OF quite
decided sentiment with President cieye.
land. Mr Cleveland asked the privi-
lege Of being sworn on little red Bl-
bic which had been given 10 him by
| his mother In boyhOOd. when he first
left the family roof tree. and he took
/ the oath at the beginning Of both Of
his presidential terms on this book.
which he treasures fondly. The Gus
tom however. has been for the United
States supreme court TO furnish the
Bible on which the president takes his
official oath. and this provision has
been carried iJy the clerk OF the court
over since thas tribunal was estab-
iished. except on the two occasions
when President Cleveland was Installed
In office Mr. Mckinley. clerk Of the
supreme court. who has held the Bible
on which Garfield was sworn, and ey-
cry president after him. has always
marked the verse which the president
touched with his lips. and after the in
auguration has presented the book,
made historic by this event. TO the pres
ident and his wife.
The first Inauguration Of George
Washington in the Federal building In
New York. on April 20. i779. was de-
layed by the failure 10 provide a BIZ
BILE Just as the arrival OF Washing
ton was announced TO congress, Chan
cellor Livingston discovered that there
was no Bible in the building. He was
master OF St John's Lodge. No. /. OF
Freemasons, and happened 10 remen-
Der that there was Bible IN the lodge
room A messenger was sent TO bring
the book and II Is preserved to the
present day among the relics.
IN THE SENATE.
Washington. March 4.-Niee-Presi-
dent Stevenson adjourned the senate o,
the Fifty-fourth congress today with
out day as his last official act, after
having delivered feeling address, in
which he thanked the members for
their uniform kindness, and reviewed
the work OF the past
The senate OF the Fifty-ffth congress
met today in extra session, with Vice
President Hobart presiding, IN pursu-
ance to call OF the retiring president
The closing Of the old senate, as well
as the opening Of the new. were merged
into a brilliant spectacle. marking the
advent OF the inauguration ceremony
so that the formal proceedings were
confined largely to the valedictory of
the retiring vice-presadent. Mr.. Steven
son. the opening address OF the new
vice e-president Mr.. Hobart. and the
swearing into office of new senators.
IN THE HOUSE.
Washington. March 4--The house was
still in executive session since Tuesday
when It adjourned without day. The
dosing hours were uneventful The
statesmen had worked all night to get
the sundry civil, Indian and agricul-
tural bills to the president, only to
have them pocket vetoed. while the
general deficiency bill failed or passage |
because the house refused to subscribe |
10 the half million of the Bowman claims |
which the senate insisted upon
The only feature of the closing throb !
IF life was the enthusiastic reception ac- |
corded Speaker Reed and the unani- |
nous standing vote of thanks rendered |
him.
EX-PRESIDENT CLEVELAND.
Washington. March 4.-EX-P President /
Cleveland, accompanied by Captain
DR.. Wood of Boston. and |
Captain Robert Evans, left on the light
house tender Maple at $3.50 O'Clock this
Afternoon. AT Portsmouth the party
will transfer to the Violet and proceed
10 the North Carolina Sound.