River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-03-11
TAKING THE OATE.
How the Ceremony Has Been Per-
formed in the Past.

How the Ceremony Has Been Per-
formed in the Past.
In connection with the Inauguration
of President Mckinley a short resume
of how his predecessors took the oath
interest:
George Washington. first president OF the
United States took the oath on April 30.
1882 In the federal building of New York
city, having journeyed from his home In
Virginia to New York, fer that purpose.
The trip was continual ovation, the
hero of the revolution being escorted from
place to place by enthusiastic and admiring
citizens.
He was received in New York by joint
congressional committee. which announced
his presence to congress. When WASHINGTON
entered the federal building to participate
in the inaugural ceremonies Chancellor Liv-
ingston. of New York. discovered that
Bible had not been provided for the occa-
sion He was relieved from his embar-
rassment by remembering that there was
Bible IN the quarters of st. John Lodge,
No. /, of the Order of Free Mssons, OF
which he was grand master, which were
in the immediate vicinity of the federal
building. A messenger was dispatched for
the sacred book and a few minutes later
IL was In LiEtngston's hands. ready for
use.
Inc OdIn was not duIiliulSltEt0 III NhS
senate chamber. but on portico directly
in front of 1t and facing on Broad street.
Washington was conducted to this point
and was accompanied by John Adams, his
vice president; Gov. Clinton, of New York.
and the chancellor. Washington listened
with the closest attention while the chan
cellor read the oath, his right hand rest
ing on the open pages of the book. which
Mr. Livingston held. Upon the conclusion
of the reading. Washington kissed the
fa1 hot hah nj
to do so he murmured in an intense and
fervid tone:
II swear, so help me God
The old federal hall of Philadelphia was
the scene of Washington's second inaugu-
ration. The ceremony was witnessed by a
large gathering of public men. The presi-
dents inaugural address was listened to
with the closest attention, and the man
ner In which the speaker closed was SUD
feet of some favorable comment at the
time He said:
Previous to the execution of any official
act of the president the constitution re-
quires an oath of office. This oath am
now about to take, and in your presence
that If it shall be found during my admin
fstration of the government have in any
instance violated the injunction thereof
may besides mourning constitutional pun
| ishmenD be subjected to the upbraidings
of all who are now witnesses OF the pres
ent solemn ceremony.
w men w aSllDEtO0 Adu NOHNA1dNN 49,
President Adams arose and said:
"Sir, one of the justices of the United
States supreme court is now present ana
ready to administer TO you the oath re-
1 quired by the constitution TO be taken oy
the president of the United States"
Gen. Washington then walked over to-
ward Justice of the Supreme Court VIII
liam Cushing who read the oath TO the
president and heard his words OF assent
Chief Justice Oliver Ellsworth, of Con-
necticut, was the first chief justice OF the
supreme court of the United States TO al
minister the oath of office TO president
John Adams succeeded Washington In tne
white house, and on March 4, 1871, IN the
Federal hall, Philadelphia, he was sworn IN
by Chief Justice Ellsworth.
Thomas Jeffersons Inauguration occurred
( In the city of Washington, to which the cap
ital was transferred from Philadelphia
chief Justice John y. Marshall. who had
the honor of swearing in the largest num-
Der of presidents, here entered upon ihls
duty. In the senate hall OF the capitol
now occupied by the supreme court Jeiler-
son read his inaugural address. ana upon
its conclusion Marshall admin istereu the
oath to the new president This ONCE was
performed by Ma hall upon the occasion
of the second Inaugural ton OF Jenersoh'
which also took place in the senate cham-
Der.
At President Madisons first Inaugural
ton the scene of the ceremonies was trans
ferred to the hall of the house OF repre-
sentatives, and the figure Of MarshaiI &C
cupied the same dramatic position II hao
done in the two preceding inauguratiohs.
The second administration OF Madison be-
can with the administration OF the OATH
by Marshall in the representatives nan.
President Monroe took the oath Of office.
administered by Marshall, upon the east
portico of the capitol, and afterward deilF-
cred his inaugural address, a departure
from the custom which had obtained UP
TO that time. When the congressional com
mittee called upon him four years later 10
await his commands as to his second IN
auguration, he Informed " that he wouIo
take the oath OF Office in the hall OF the
house of representatives at IL O'Clock on
Monday next" Here the oath was admin
istered by the chief justice.
In the same place and witnessed by John
Adams. the second president. John quincy
Adams. took the oath Of office on March 4.
1925. Chief Justice Marshall presided al the
ceremony. Adams first read his inaugural
address, and when he had concluueu re-
ceived from Marshall a volume OF law
of the United States, from when ne reau
In a low, clear voice the oath OF ONCE
Marshall performed the same Office Tor
jackson at both OF the inauGuratlons IN
which "O!d Hickory" participated II Was
at Jackson's second inauguration thdt
chief Justice Marshall, who had admin
istered the oath Of Office 10 presloentS TOT
more than a quarter of century, per-
formed his last service of this character.
Chief Justice Roger r. fancy, OF Mary
land was appointed rs the successor OF
Chief Justice Marshall on the supreme
bench. and the duties of the latter In the
matter OF swearing in presidents also de-
volved upon the new appointee. Van Buren
was the president upon whom Chief JUS
tice fancy performed his initial service IN
the way of administering the oath of office
10 presidents. William Henry Harrison was
also sworn in by Chief Justice fancy, the
ceremony being performed after the for
NAL presentation in the senate upon the
out-of-door platform
one month later the United States had a
new president. Vice President Tyler was
Informed Of the death of the president, and
that the duties of chief magistrate now
devolved upon him. He thereupOn took and
subscribed the oath of office required BY
the constitution before William Cranch
CHIEF Justice OF the supreme court of the Dis
trio, of Columbia Chief Justice Cranch
thereu pom drew up this notarial certificate
In regard to the new presidents act:
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
"City and County of Washington. S.:
81, william Cranch. chief justice of the
circuit court of the District OF Columbia.
certify that the above-named John Tyler
personally appeared before me this day,
and, although he deems himself qualified
to perform the duties and exercise the
powers and office of president on the death
Of William Henry Harrison, late president
of the United States. without any other
oath than which he has taken as vice pres
fdent yet, as doubts may arise ard Tor
greater caution, took and subscribed the
foregoing oath before me.
April & 1su- WILLIAM cBs NCH.