The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-03-11

succeeds me as your presiding officer |
| earnestly invoke the same cooperation
and courtesy you have so generously ac-
| corded me.
Senators, my parting words have been
spoken, and l now discharge my last Off
cial duty-that of declaring the senate adj
journed without day.
Mr.. Hobart then advanced to the pres
idential chair and for the first time as
sumed his official functions and called
the senate to order.
Mr.. Hobart then moved aside for the
blind chaplain of the senate, who, in an
impressive voice., delivered the first in
vocation to the new senate.
AS the chaplain closed, Vice President
Hobart addressed the senate for the first
time, speaking in strong, we'll moduatcd
tones, and delivered his inaugural ad-
dress. He said:
Senators-To have been elected to pre-
side over the senate of the United States
is distinction which any citizen should
prize, and the manifestation of the con-
tidence which it implies is ar honor which
l sincerely appreciate.
My gratitude and .oyalty to the people
| of the country, to whom owe this honor,
and my duty to you as well, demands such
conservative and conscientious construc-
ton and enforcement of your rules as shall
promote the well being and prosperity of
the people and at the same time conserve
the time-honored precedents and estab-
lished traditions which have contributed
to make this tribunal the most dis
| tinguished of the legislative bodies of the
world.
In entering upon the duties of the office
to which have been chosen, feel a pc
/ fhaf
body, with whom for time l will be as
ISOLATED, has had but Il small voice in the
| selection of its presiding officer, and that
L am called upon to conduct your DELHI
erations. while not the choice, perhaps
neither in merit nor fitness.
| 1t will be my constant effort to aid you
so far as Lean in all proper expedition of
the business of the senate, and / may be
permitted to express The belief that sue
cessful expedition is the hope of the coun-
| try.
While unfamiliar with your rules and
manner of procedure 1 can only promise
| that will bring all the ability possess to
the discharge of every duty as it may de-
| volve upon me, relying always upon your
suggestions, your advice and your coop
Grafton and / should feel unequal to the
task, did | not feel assured of
that full and indulgent aid which
you have given to my predecessors,
and without which | could not hope
to acqut myself to your satisfaction or
with any degree of personal credit.
1t shall be my highest aim to justify the
confidence the people have repOsed in me
by discharging my duties in such a manner
as to Tighten your labors, secure your APP
probation of my earnest efforts to admin
lister your rules with an eye to the public
good and promote the pleasant and eff
ficient transaction of public business.
trust that our offic,a, and personal re-
lations may be alike agreeable; that the
| friendship we may form here may be gen
| uine and lasting and that the work of the
senate may rebound to the peace and hon,
or of the country and the prosperity and
happiness Of all the people.
The proclamation of the outgoing pres
ident calling an extra session of the IN
! coming senate was read. The senators
elect were then sworn in.
Meanwhile, while the oaths were being
administered, Mr.. Mckinley and Mr..
Cleveland sat talking in low tone. 1t
was clearly most agreeable exchange.
for the old president and the new smiled
every now and then as they gave acqui-
essence to each other.
Secretaries Olney and Lamont. it was
noted, were not among the cabinet Off
GERS present.
1t was 1870 before the last oath was
administered. Then the procession be-
gan, the supreme judges going first. then
President Cleveland and Mr.. Mckinley,
the others following.
Just before the procession withdrew.
Mrs. Mckinley and the mother of the
president were escorted to the stand ON
the east front of the capitol, where the
oath of Office was about to be taken by
the new president. Gradually the SEN
ate was emptied and the attraction was
removed from the senate to the inauGu-
ration stand.