The morning times., 1897-03-07
THE OATH ADMINISTERED
Members OfPreSident McKinley's
Cabinet Sworn In.
AN INTERESTING CEREMONY
All the Secretaries Went Through
the FormaIity of Taking the Oath
in the Blue Room of the White
House, With the Exception of
Mr.. Gage.

The swearing in of all the members Of
the Cabinet, except Mr.. Gage. secretaryof
the Treasury, in body at the. White House
yesterday was pleasant departure from
the usual routine in connection with a
change of administration Heretofore il
has been the custom To administer the oata
of office TO the new Secretaries at their
respective departments, generally by the
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court OF the
United States, but the c6incident presence
OF the members OF the court and OF the
Cabinet az the Executive Mansion made the
unusual incident not only possible, but
highly appropriate.
Tie members of the Cabinet, save Mr..
Gage, had assembled in the Cabmet-Toom
at 10: 80 for consultation with the
President. Thev Were thus engaged when
the presence of the Chief Justice and IS
sociate Justices. accompanied hy Reporter
Davis, clerk of Mr. Mckinley, and Marshal
Wright, in the Blue Room below, was an
nounced. President Mckinley promptly
came downstairs and received the con-
gratulatons Of his distinguished visitors.
1t was very pleasant meeting, entirely
free from the constraint and stiffn ess so
often a characteristic of such occasions,
President Mckinley replied gracefully TO
the congratulations of his visitors, ana
after few minutes spent in general con-
versation, he said the member of the
Cabinet were upstairs, and if il was gree
able 10 the members Of the court, he would
like to present them. The justices were
glad of the opportunity to meet the Cabinet
officers under these auspices, and they
We're invited int o the Blue Room.
The introductions having been made.
Chief Justice Fuller suggested that the
members of the Cabinet might be sworn
in then and there, which suggestion was
instantly accepted. The commission of
oaths of office had been prepared and were
in the office of Secretary Porter. They
were brought down, together with two
tables, inkstands and pens, and the cere-
mony began. The oaths were admins
tered in the following order:
To Secretary Sherman, by Chief Justice
Fuller; to Secretary Alger, by Justice
! Brown; to Attorney General Mckenna, by
| Chief Justice Fuller; to Secretary Long, by
Justice Gray; to Postmaster General Gary,
by Chief Justice Fuller; to Secretary Bliss,
| by Justice Peckham; to Secretary Wilson,
by Chief Justice Fuller
Two Bibles were used in the ceremonial,
| and their condition, indicating constant
use. suggested that the occupants of the
White House would probably welcome a
new copy of the Scriptures
Each official signed the cath of office,
and Secretary Sherman performed his first
| official act by countersigning the commits
sions OF himself and associates. The af-
fair was informal and pleasant, being con-
| Quoted in the most democratic spirit. Sec
| rotary Porter was present in the room,
| and the scene was witnessed through the
! open door by a number OF persons in the
corridor.
Shortly after the fsrnlaiities had beer
completed, the gathering broke up, Presi
dent Mex niey and his Cabinet returning up
stairs and the justices OF the court pro
ceeding to the Capitel~for their regular
Saturday consultation. 4Ghief Justice Full
er, accompanied by Cferk McKenney, drove
to the Treasury Department, where secre
tary Gage had been detained by company
OF visitors, largely fremsChicago, number
ing over 200. In the presence Of these, the
oath of office was administered to the
new Secretary, and the function was com
pleted. G