The Somerset reporter., 1897-03-11

Day Was Clear and Bracing City Was
Crowded With Lookers-on- Is ual Cour-
tesies Exchanged Between Retiring and
Incoming Chief Magistrate Vice Presi-
Inauguration Hall Eclipsed All Past
Functions Description of the Grand
Hall Incidents of the Day Presidents
Inaugural In Full.
Washington. March To-day for the
fourth time in the history of this great
republic. a native born citizen of Ohio,
in the presence of untold thousands of
his countrymen, and beneath the great
bronze goddess who stands in her lofty
place symbolic of the idea that created
this proud nation, bent his head over the
sacred book and took the solemn oath
which bound him for four long years to
watch over and guard the welfare of the
American people. 1t was an impressive
yet beautifully simple ceremony that
marked the accession of William McKin-
ley of Ohio, student. lawyer, representa-
tive, governor, but best of all one of the
common people SO dear to the American
heart. To the high office of President of
the United States of America. There was
a flash of gratfied triumph in the dark
eye beneath the broad white brow that
scanned the shouting and cheering null
titude that confronted him on the broad
I terrace of the east front of the Capitol
but an expression of humility mingled
With realization of the heavy burdens he
was about to assume. and of manly de
termination faithfully to discharge the
manifold duties of his high office as he
bent his head and repeated in clear
voice the words I do solemnly swear
that | will faithfully execute the office
of president of the United States and
will to the best of my ability. preserve,
protect and defend the constitution Of
the United States"
Thus did William Mckinley gather
from the hand Of Grover Cleveland the
reins of power and become President of
the United States. the 23d of that grand
line of rulers chosen by thu American
people. There have been many inaugu-
rations in Washington, but in many re
spects that of March 4. 1897. will go down
in history as eXcelling all that have gone
before. The citizens of the Capitol city
worked to that end with degree Of en-
ergy unknown even in this public spir-
tied community. In beauty, in taste, in
novelty, the decorations of the city were
incomparablY superior to anything ever
seen before in Washington; the magni-
ficent body of regular United States
troops was more numerous than any
gathered since Grants great display at
the close of the war; II sovereign states
had their citizens in the line of parade
and over SO civil organizations helped to
sW"ll its magnificent proportions
The line of march of the parade was
longer than usual-full four miles in fact
--lnade SO to ease the pressure of spec
tetors upon the line IT. the central sec
ton of the city. and to ensure the main
tenance in line unbroken. General Hor-
ace Porter, the grand marshall reviewed
the parade from point on Vermont ave
nue. and X street. we'll along towards the
place set for disbandinG.
To witness all this display there was a
mighty gathering of the American people
in the capital. For weeks the railroads
and steamboats, have been hauling heavy
loads of pilgrims To the heart of the great
nation; as the 4th drew near, these grew
even larger, and all through the night
and throughout the forenoon hours to-
day aceessions sWelled the great total of
strangers. Thanks to the perfect ar
engagements made by the citizens com .
mttee. all Of these We're Wen cared for.
and no one viii go forth from Wash
inGton With Just ground Of complaint on
the score of neglect.
Presdent-elect Mckinley. who had
left his handsomely fltted-up suite OF
rooms at the Ebbitt House sufficiently
early to pay his call of ceremony on the
retiring president was driven to the
White House. escorted by the senate
committee appointed for that purpose.
where. in one of the handsome state
apartments, he was received and wei
coined by President Cleveland and his
cabinet
Then the two presidents descended
the White House steps and together en-
tered a four horse carriage Mr. CleVe-
land sitting to the right and amid the
booming of cannon. the clatter of cav
airy. the deep. hoarse rumble OF artil-
lery. the measured tramp of many col
umps of infantry. and the blare of in
Vulnerable bands the marc to the Capt.
tol began.
In the meantime the houses of congress
We're making preparations for their part
In the ceren pnies. The house Of repre-
sentatiYes. headed by Speaker Reed.
proceeded in a body To Che senate cham
Der. where seIts had been assigned them.