The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-03-13


were soon augmented by the badge fakirs, SELL
ing gold bugs badges, and the gilt-caped men
who sold official programmes.
Incidental to the actual assuming OF of1ce by
the president, and slightly preceding it in point
Of time, Carrot A Hobart, Of New Jersey "a
gentleman not heretofore prominent in national
politics., took the oath Of office as vice-president
of the United States, and was installed as ex-of-
hcio presiding officer Of the senate.
The proceedings Of the day were character
ICED by all the imposing spectacular effects and
l demonstrations Of popular interest which have
become q growing feature Of inaugural cere-
monies, rs the nation has advanced
In population and wealth. Between
5000 and $4,000 in the procession, partly mill
tsry, partly civic, escorted the retiring presi-
dent and president-elect to and from the cap
itol. At least 10000 people witnessed the ad-
mipistration Of the oath office on the eastern
portico Of the capitol, and listened, or attempt
cd to listen, to the delivery Of the new presi-
dents brief inaugural address; and at night a
gorgeous state ball, at which the president and
vice-president were present, closed the pro-
ceedings.
Grand Marshal Gen. Horace Porter.
The grand marshal intrusted with the direc-
ton of the days pageant was Gen. Horace Por-
ter, formerly Of the staff Of Gen. Grant. His
organizing skill had been tested in peace as well
as in war-notably in the conduct Of the great
sound-money procession through the narrow
and tortuous streets of New York city last Octo-
Der during the presidential campaign. With the
broad and smooth asphalted streets Of Washing
ton, Gen. Porter had full opportunities to dis
play his genins for controlling the movements
of large bodies of men, and he availed himself
of them. From the nature Of the day. s pro-
ceedings there were practically two professions,
though at the close they merged into one mass
i've and impressive body, part military, partly
civic, and each most effective. The esnort,
largely military, but also consisting Of govern
ors of different states, and other distinguished
the president-elect to the capitol,
naturally formed in the immediate vicinity
of the White House, the executive
mansion. The civic organizations which
followed the president and ex-president on
. their return journey from the capitol TO the
White House, were formed on streets adjacent
to the capitol grounds. All was so arranged
that each division fell into line at the appointed
time without delay or confusion.
The inaugural Parade.
The military division, preceded by q platoon
of mounted police, and followed by the Gov
ernor's Island On. " band, was headed, Of
course, by the grand marshal, his stans and
aides. 800 in number, selected from the states in
the Union, all well mounted, some wearing
crimson sashes and others white. The
grand marshal himself wore q sash
blending the national colors- By o
happy thought invitations had been extended to
ali the living sons of those who had served as
the nations chief executive, and Ulysses s.
Grant third), Webb c. Hayes, Harry A. Gar
neld, Chester A. Arthur, and Russell Harrison,
served as special aids on the occasion
The first division Of the military parade,
commanded by the gallant cavalry leader, Gen.
Wesley Merritt, included a battalion OF United
States engineers, the Seventeenth United States
infantry, four batteries OF United States artil-
lery. a regiment of United States marines; 500
sailors Of the North Atlantic squadron, made up
from the crews of the New York, Columbia and
Indiana, now anchored at Hampton Roads, and
commanded by Capt. Sands of the Columbia
(whose appearance, as is always the case when
the blue Jackets are ashore, was welcomed with
hearty cheers, followed a battalion OF light
artillery and q regiment of United States cav
airy.
President and President-Elect.
President-elect Mckinley, who had left his
handsomely-atted-up suite Of rooms at the Eb-
bitt house suficiently 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 tQe handsome state
fpartments, he was received and welcomed BY
rzsjdent Cleveland and his cabinet Then hf