Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-02-04
BECKHAM SWORN IN.

Exactly one hour after the death of
Mr.. Goebel, j. c. w. Beckham was
sworn in as Governor CT the State, The
oath being administered by S. j. Sha k
elford, clerk Of the Court Of Appeals
1t had been determined to keep secret
the news of the death of Mr.. Goebel I'M
til Mr. Beckham should have been for
mally indicted into office, and the de-
lay was made greater by the inability
OF DR.. Mccormack to leave the bed
room Of Mr.. Goebel and make the prop
er certificate OF death. Until this had
been done the Democratic attorneys
were unwilling that the cath of Office
should be administered.
The ceremony took place in a small
room on the same ncor as that in
which Mr.. Goebel died, but a few doors
to the west of it, In the room at the
time of the administration Of the oath
were Senator-elect Blackburn, Col. B.
II. Young, Col. Philip Thompson, Eph
Lillard, j. Fl. Liliis, Lieut. l.. E. Nc
Kay, S. j. Shackelford, clerk of the
Court of Appeals DR.. H. F. Wells, Col.
Harry Mckay, Col. Jack Chinn. Kit
Chinn, DR.. Mccormack, Joseph Black
burn, Jr., and three representatives Of
the press.
Col. Young, who was one of the
leading Democratic attorneys through
out the Goebel-Taylor contest, and SEN
ator-elect Blackburn, sat at a table in
the center of the room upon which they
had drawn up the papers necessary to
the administration of
The Oath of Office
to Mr.. Beckham. After the papers had
been completed, there was a wait of
nearly ten minutes for DIR. Mccormack
The death certificate had already been
prepared and DR. Mccormack quickly
signed his name and sWore to the con-
tents Of the paper.
Now. Mr.. Beckham, its your turn,
said Col Young.
Mr.. Beckham, who had been stand
ing in the far corner of the room at
once advanced to the table with flush
of excitement on his youthful face.
Sign the CATH said Col Young,
pushing the paper toward him.
Beckham hesitated and Col. Young
repeated his request
LET me be sworn first" said Mr..
Beckham.
you must sign the paper before you
take the OATH" said Col Young. I'VE
want your oath to the signature"
Mr.. Beckham advanced to the table
and affixed his signature, and then,
stepping back, he held up his right
hand for the oath which was read to
him by Clerk Shackelford, of the Court
of Appeals. The light was not of the
best and the writing or the paper not
the most legible and Mr.. Shackelford
made slow work of it. All the time
8eckham stood before him with his
eyes shining, and a deep flush on his
face.
When the clerk read the concluding
words of the OATH so help you God"
Mr. Beckham's reply came L do" and
then with greater emphasis, land may
God give me strength to do my duty.
II devoutedly hope he will" rejoin-
ed Col. Young.
Clerk Shackelford
Then Attested to the Oath.
The first official act of Mr.. Beckham
was the appointment of new adju-
tant general and his last act before as
Stunning the oath was an order remov-
ing Adjt Gen. Collier and Assistant
Adjt. Gen. Dixon.
Mr., Beckham seemed deeply affected
by the position in which circumstances
had placed him, and he did not reveal
much joy over the congratulations
which those in the room showered upon
him. although he accepted them CRATE
fully.
There is one thing that l would
have been greatly pleased to have had
done by Mr.. Goebel before his death"
he said, land that is to have signed
the certificate of Senator Blackburn
OF course. am greatly pleased to have
the privilege myself, but I know that
it was a matter close to the heart of
Mr.. Goebel, and l wish that he could
have lived long enough to do it. I
think | can promise" he said with a
smile, Tthat it will be one of the first
things that | will do on Monday"
Senator Rlackburu Arrfva.