The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-03-05

| She smiled frequently as she surveyed
| the crowd and chatted with Chairman
Bell OF the inaugural committee. who
sat beside her. Following the wife of
| the new president came the venerable
Mrs. Mckinley, ST., ga-hed befittingiy
for her years. Her kindly 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
happiness.
| The diplomatic corps entered the
chamber at II As followed a moment lat
er by the chief justice and associate JUS
| tees of the United States supreme court.
| They filed down the aisle in gorgeous
regalia and silken robes. The members
| of the house of representatives, headed
py Speaker Reed. then entered the
| chamber.
THE TWO CENTRAL FIGURES.
| There was stir Of interest when SEN
ate officials announced the vice p-esi-
| dent-elect, Mr.. Hobart. who entered
from the right door and stepped 10 the
seat near the presiding officers desk.
All this was but accessory to the main
scene which had been so eagerly await
ed, the arrival of President Cleveland
and President-elect Mckinley. 1t was
just 1920 when they entered the main
doors, facing the vice president, and at
tertion was riveted al once on these two
central figures. Mr.. Mckinley, with
Mr. Cleveland. was seated immediatel
in front Of the presiding officer, facing
the senate and the crowd On the left
sat Major General Miles, commanding
officer Of the army. and Admiral Brown,
both in full uniform. To the right was
another blaze of rich uniforms and dec
orations, the four ambassadors, Sir
Julian Pauncefote, NJ. Paternotre, Baron
Theiman and Baron Faya being direct
ly beside Mr.. Mckinley. The members
of the Outgoing cabinet were in semi
circles facing the outgoing and ircom-
ing presidents. On the opposite Of the
center aisle in semi-circle were Chief
Justice Fuller and the associate justices.
Near them were General Porter and
Marshal Wilson, of the District of Col
umbia. Back of the supreme court
judges were the ministers of foreign
countries, wearing their rich uniforms.
The members of the house OF represcn-
tatives filled the entire body Of the hall
on the right side, and or the opposite
side Of the chamber SAT the senators
and senators-elect.
HOBART TAKES THE OATH.
AS the presidential party took their
seats Vice President Stevenson arose
and invited his successor to step for
ward and take the cath of Office. Mr..
Hobart advanced % he desk, raised his
right hand and took the oath in accor J.
ance with the constitution. Then MI.
Stevenson delivered his valedictory 3D.
dress, speaking hoarse,y as a result Of
the recent strain. He said:
STEVENSON'S FAREWELL.
Senator's: The hour has arrived which
marks the close Of the Fifty-fourth con-
gress and terminates my official relation
10 this body. Before laying down the
gayel for the last time, may be pardon
ed for OBTAINING you for a moment, in
the attempt to give expression to my
gratitude for the uniform courtesy OK
tended me-for the many kindnesses
shown me-during the time Il has been
my good fortune to preside over your
deliberations.
Chief among the favors political for
tune has bestowed upon me, 1 count
that having been the associate-and hav-
ing known something of the friendship
OF the men with whom l have so long
held official relations in this chamber.
The record of our years of parlia-
mentary struggles, of masterful debates
of important legislations, is closed, ana
passes now to the domain OF history. !
think 1 can truly say, in the words of a
distinguished predecessor: In the dis
charge Of my official duties, I have
known no cause, no party, no friend"
II has been my earnest endeavor just
ly to interpret and faithfully to execute
the rules of the senate. At times the
partisan ends by a disregard or per-
vasion of the rules. t. think 1t safe
to say the result. however salutary, will
be dearly purchased by a departure
from the methods prescribed by the SEN
ate for its own guidance.
II must not be forgotten that the rules
governing this body are founded deep in
human experience; that they are the re-
suit Of centuries of tireless effort in leg
islative halls, to conserve. 70 render sta
BILE and secure the rights and liberties
which have been achieved by conflict.
By its rules the senate wisely fixes the
limits to its own power.
OF those who clamor against the SEN
ate, and its methods Of procedure, 1t
may be truly said: They know net
what they do In this chamber alone
are preserved, without restraint, two es-
sentials of wise legislation and of good
government-the right of amendment.
and OF debate Great evils often result
from hasty iegislation-rareiy from the
delay which follows a full discussion
and elaboration.
The senate is perpetual body. In the
t6r5e words of an eminent senator now
present: The men who framed the con-
stitu,ion had studied thoroughly all
former attempts at republican govern
ment. History was strewn with the
wrecks Of unsuccessful democrscies.
Some times the unsurpation OF the exc
cutive power. some times the fickleness
and unbridled license OF the people, had
brought popular government to destrue-
ton. To guard against these dangers
they placed their chief hope in the SEN
ate"
Txenty-four senator's who have occu-
pied their seats in this chamber during
my term OF Office are no longer members
OF this body. Five OF that number
Sanford. Colquit, Vance, Stockbridge |
and WILSON, shattered with the con-
tentions Of the great halr'-fulI Of years
and Of honors. have passed from earth |
" scenes. The fall OF the gavel will con-
Glade the long and honorable terms az |