The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-04
RICHMOND VA, SUNDAY FEBRUARY q. 1900.
Beckham was sworn. IN as Executive OF
the State by S. J. Shackeiford, clerk Of


the State by S. J. Shackelforu, clerk OF
the Court of Appeals.
It had been determined to keep secret
the news Of the death of MIR. Goebei until
Mr.. Beckham should have been formally
indicted into office and the delay was
made greater by the inability OF EDr. NC
Cornck to leave the bedroom II Mt.
Goehel and make the proper certihcase OF
DEATH Until this had been done the
Democratic attorneys were unwilling that
the oath of office should be administered.
The ceremony took place in small
room on the same floor 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 SEN
ator-elect Blackburn, Colonel q. II.
Young, Colonel Philip Thompson, Eph
Lillard, J. FL. #IiIlis, Lieutenant MCKAY.
S. J. Shackelford, clerk of the Court OF
Appeals; DR.. Z. w. Wells, Colonel Harry
Mackay,. Colonel Jack Chinn. Kit Chlnn,
Dr. Mccormick. Joseph Blackburn, Jr..
and three representatives of the press.
DEATH CERTIFICATE.
Colonel Yours, who as one OF the leading
Democratic attorneys throughout the Goe-
bel-Taylor contest and 'Senator-eiect
Blackburn, sat at 4 table in the centre
of the room upon which they had drawn
up the papers necessary to the admins
tration of the oath of office to Mr.. Beck
ham After the papers had been COM
peted there was 4 wait OF Marty ten
minutes for DR.. Mccormick.
The death certificate duly being pre-
pared. Mccormick quickly signed his
name and swore to the contents OF the
paper.
Now. Mr.. Beckham, it is your turn
said Colonel Young.
Mr.. Eeckham. who had been standing
in the far corner of the room. at once
advanced to the table with a huSh OF eS-
element on his youthful face. Sign the
OATH" said Colonel Young. pushing the
paper toward him.
Beckham heSitated and Colonei Young
repeated his request.
Let me be sworn first" said Mr.. Beck
ham.
You must sign the paper before you
take the oath,". said Colonel Young
I'VE want your oath to the signature.
Mr.. Beckham advanced to the table ana
affixed his signature and then, stepping
back, he held up his right hand for the
oath. which was read to him by CisrE
Slackelford, of the Court OF Appeals. The
light,was not the best. and the writing on
the paper not the most legible. and Mr.
shackelford enade slow work of it. All
the time Eeekham stood before him with
his eyes shining, and deep flush on his
face.
PRAYED FOR STRENGTH.
When the clerk read the concluding
words of the oath $50 help you Gcd,' Mr..
Beckilam's reply came 81 do and then.
with greater emphasis. And may God
give me strength to do my duty.
"I devoutedly hope he will" rejoned
Colonel Young.
Clerk Shackelford then attested TO uhe
oath.
The official action of Mr.. Beckham was
the appointment of new Adjutant-GelI-
eral, and his last act before assuming
the oath was an order relieving AdJu-
tant-General Collier and Assistant Ad-
jutant-General Dixon.
On the back of this order was en-
dorsed the following:
Executed by delivery of true copy to
Captain Bennett, officer of the day In
command of the troops at gate of -Gapf-.
tol grounds, who reported General D. II.
Collier absent from his command Cap
tain Bennett received the paper and
promised to deliver same TO General Col
lier The delivery was made at GO
o'clock p. NJ this Sd day Of February,
1900.
(Sisned) HARRY zM'KAT.
Colonel and aide-de-camp
Governors staff.
DEEPLY AFFECTED.
The order was delivered TO captain ben
nett at the gate of the Capitol grounds
twenty-five minutes before the death Of
Mr.. Goebel. Mr.. Beckham was made act
ing Governor last night by the announce
ment by DR.. Mccormick that Governor
Goebel was unable to attend the duties
of the Office.
Mr.. Beckham seemed deeply affected.
and he did not reveal much joy over the
congratulations which those in the room
sl,owered upon him.
There is one think T 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 my
self. but I know that it was matter
close to the heart of Mr.. Goe5el. and I
wish that he could have lived long
enough to do it. 1 think I can promise"
he said, with smile, "that it will be one
Of the first things I will do on Monday"
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