The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-03
Though Colder, is Promised for
the Inauguration
BY Chief of the Weather Blu
reau Willis l.. Moore.
CROWDS POURING IN.
A Great Jam of Visitors at the
Ebbitt House.
Ohio People Predominant Every
where.

fore Inauguration opened moist and
warm and by 10 o'clock a slow steady
drizzle had set in that cast discourage
Inent on the visitor. But today's down.
fall gave promise that the wet weather
would end before tomorrow morning
and when the wind began to freshen
from the west and to blow the innum-
cradle flags, banners and strips of bunt-
ing out good and strong the Washing
tonian was quite prepared for the Off
cial weather forecast sent out about 10
o'clock after consultation by the best
weather foTecasters in the local service.
Prof. Willis L. Moore, chief of the
weather bureau has issued to Chairman
Charles J. Bell the following favorable
prediction. 1t gives me much pleasure
to be able to state that the storm is
now central over western New York,
moving rapidly eastward giving heavy
rain through New England and the
middle Atlantic states, but the weather
has cleared in the west behind the
storm and with the rapid movement
eastward of the storm center, am able
to make the following definiteF predic-
ton: Thursday, fair and colder Threat
ening weather and rain will continue
today but it Will surely clear by or be-
fore Thursday morning with colder
fresh northwest winds. The tempera-
ture will be 80 and IS during the day
with a clear pleasant bracing atmOs
phere.
The railroads continued throughout
growing special trains into the city and
the rush of military companies and civ
ic organizations fairly began, few of
them having reached here yesterday.
Around the larger hotels there was a
crush and at the Ebbitt House where
the president-elect is staying there was
a perfect jam.
The president-elect retired at a late
hour last night and rose at an early
hour In his short sleep he had found
much rest and recuperat ton and when
ha ny n III lie IL
about o'clock he looked the picture of
health and strength. The Mckinley
breakfast was a home-like meal and be-
sides the president and Mrs Nc
Kinley and Mrs Mckinley ST, no one
was admitted TO the breakfast room
save two or three friends who had in
tended to come on with the presidential
party but were delayed in their arriV-
al until this morning. Mrs. Mckinley
also was much refreshed by her nights
rest.
BY o'clock the lobby of the Ebbitt
was crowded by persons anxious to
meet the president-elect either on per-
sonal business or from curiosity So
many of them wore Ohio badges and
the name of Ohio was so often uttered
in the talk that one was reminded of
the famous phrase THE United States
of Ohio" current in the days of Presi-
dent Hayes and applied to Washington
while the city was filed with aspirants
for office. But while many came few
were successful in the efforts to reach
ire ear OF the DG6SlQGnt-GI6ct. MT. ROT-
ter, his secretary and the near friends
who are looking after his comfort re-
alizing that Mr.. Mckinley had before
him an exhausting day even if he con-
nned his receptions to cases Of great
and immediate Importance, gave orders
that only chosen few be admitted and
cards We're generally refused a the
desk.
Senator-elect Hanna was among the
earliest callers and of course he found
no difficulty in making his way into the
reserved section of the hotel
About half past nine o'clock notice
came to Mr.. Mckinley that a deIega-
ton sought to meet him to make a pre-
sentation- An appointment had been
made in advance for this call so the
President-elect descended from his
rooms to the second floor of the hotel
where the delegati ton was in waiting.
This was headed by Postmaster Cen
eral Wilson and included Hon John q
Capers of the attorney generals office:
Rev William b. Capers, of Virginia:
Representatlve Harrison and w. D.
Dunlap of Alabama; Nathan Heard of
PennSylVaniia; Judge Charles HoWrey
or the court of claims bench and A Nj
austin OF Ohio. They were all members
or the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity
ana called to present a badge of the or
der.
The president-elect greeted his callers
with the greatest cordiality. He was in
good spirits, and seeing Postmaster
General Wilson in the van was remind
ed of the old days of their service in
the house of representatives Taking
him by the hand he exclaimed. u
nave not seen you since the storm of
last November. Come over by the
window where I can see YOU plainly
and make sure you look as you did in
the good old days when you were on
one side and L on another"
After reciprocating the greeting in
the same spirit the postmaster general
proceeded to make little speech in en-
tirely informal language He was
charged with the presentation to the
president-elect of a badge which IN
fortunately he did not have himself. Az
an earnest of his good faith he pro-
duced the receipt of the express COM
pany and telegram announcing the
shipment of the article, but up to the
time set for the presentation it had
not been received. 1t was hardly pos
sible that the president-elect could
spare the time for another appoint
ment so the committee thought it best
to make this explanation and send the
badge itself along later The president
elect is himself a member of Sigma
Alpha Epsilon and still takes great in
terest in the welfare of the fraternity.
When he was inaugurated governor
OF OHIO he wore the lapel of his
coat a very pretty badge and tomorrow
on his inauguration as president he will
again wear his college fraternity pin
This time, however. the badge though
similar in general design, is more elab-
crate and costly and is the gift of the
fraternity at large.
The president-elect thanked the dele
cation in suitable terms and promised
to wear the bade if, as he remarked
there really was any such badge, and
his visitors were not joking. This point
was soon met, however, for just as the
party started away an express messen-