The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1897-03-12
IN THE SENATE.
The Scene a Remarkable 'One-Entrance
of the Presidential Party.

The Senate chamber was the center
of attraction, and early in the day the
galleries were jammed. The closing
proceedings of the Senate of the Fifty
fourth Congress were brief in terms
between recesses, for the time had
gone by for anything beyond the vital
legislation of appropriation bills.
Madame Yang Yu, wife of the Chi
nese minister, accompanied by Mr..
SEE and a number of ladies, were
among the early arrivals. Shortly af-
ter Ii o'clock ex-Queen Liliuokalani of
Hawaii entered the diplomatic gallery,
accompanied by her secretary, Mr.
Palmer. She was given the most
available seat, which, by this time,
was far in the rear
The presidential party arrived at
I1:3O o'clock and entered the east re-
served gallery. Mrs. Mckinley, ac-
companied by her sister, Mrs. Barber,
moved down the aisle and took front
seats, which had been reserved for her.
She smiled frequently as she surveyed
the crowd, chatting with Chairman
Bell of the Inauguration committee,
who sat beside her Following the wife
of the new President came the veneer
able Mrs. Mckinley, Sr., CARRIED fit
tlngly to- her years. Her face was
framed in rolls of gray hair, like those
in old prints. She was two seats from
Mrs. Mckinley, jr., and the two bent
forward frequently for an exchange of
words and smiles.
The diplomatic corps entered the
chamber at 11:45, followed a moment
later by the chief justice and associate
justices of the United States supreme
court They filed slowly down the
aisle in gorgeous regaiia and silken
robes. The members of the House of
Representatives headed by Speaker
Reed, then entered the chamber.
There was a stir of interest when
the Senate officials announced the
Vice President-elect, Mr.. Hobart. who
entered from the right door and stepped
to the seat near the presiding officers.
desk.
All this was but accessory TO the
main scene, which had been so eagerly
awaited-the arrival of President
Cleveland and President-elect McKin-
ley. 1t was just 1920 when they en-
tered the main doors, facing the Vice
President, and attention was riveted
at once on these two central figures.
Mr. Mckinley with Mr.. Cleveland
was seated Immediately in front of the
presiding officer facing the Senate and
the crowds. On the left sat Major
General Miles, commanding officer of
the army, and Admiral Brown, both
in full uniform. To the right was an
other blaze of rich uniforms and dec
orations, the four ambassadors, Sir
Julian Pauncefote, NJ. Patenotre,
Baron Thielman and Baron Fava,
being directly to the side of Mr.. Nc
Kinley. The members of the out
going cabinet were in a semi-circle.
to the left facing the outgoing and
incoming Presidents On the oppo-
site of the center aisle in a semi
circle were Chief Justice Fuller and
his associate justices Near them
were General Porter and Marshal Will
son of the District of Columbia Back
OF the supreme court justices were the
ministers of foreign countries wearing
their rich uniforms The members of
the house of representatives filled the
the entire body of the hail ON the right
side and on the opposite side of the
chamber sat senator's and senator's
elect.
As the presidential party took their
seats Vice President Stevenson arose
and invited his successor to step for
ward and take the oath of Office. Mr..
Hobart advanced to the desk. raised
his right hand and took the oath in
accordance with the constitution. Then
Mr.. Stevenson. delivered his valedic-
tory address, speaking hoarsely, as a
result of the recent strain.
Mr. Hobart now advanced to the
presiding chair ana for the first time
exercised his official functions by call
ing the Senate to- order, and delivered
a short address.
The proclamation OF the outgoing
President calling an extra session of
the Senate having been read Vice
President Hobart requested the new
senators to advance and take the oath
of office. At this suggestion Mr.. Nor
rill, the patriarch of the SenGte, was
with bel the first to
be sworn in
1t was LOS o'clock when, the last
oath had been administered and the
formal exit began. the supreme court
justices going first, then Mr.. Cleve-
land and President Mckinley and the
U f1icial following.
As President Mckinley appeared on
the east terrace of the capitol to
take the oath of office and deliver
his inaugural, a glorious Southern
spring sun blazed from a blue sky.
an suspicious augury for his admins
Except for Mr.. Cleveland's
first inauguration in 1855, there had
been no such ideal day for this mo-
IheRtouS ceremony.
Immediately in front were thousands
on thousands of people, wedged in so
close together that the broad plaza
a nd radiating avenues seemed vast
pavement of human heads.
Preceded bu two mi litary aides. Mrs.
Mckinley and her par " emerged first
from the Senate wing and were es-
cOrted to their seats on the plat
form in advance of the procession.
The future mistress of the White
house, heavily wrapped, rested
the arm of John Addison Porter She
walked somewhat feebly and was
seated in u large leather chair
behind the platform
from which her husband was To de-
l.. 1 y 81. A. l. 4