The National tribune., 1900-10-04

After the counting of the electoral votes
In the presence of both Houses of Con
gress and it was found that there was
no election, the House Of Representatives
returned to its Chamber, and, accord
ing to the rule laid down by the Constitu-
tion proceeded to elect a President.
Thomas jefferson was elected on the
36th ballot, receiving the vote of 10
States; Aaron Burr receiving four, and
two voted blank.
Aaron Burr, receiving the second high
est number of votes, according to the then
existing law was chosen Vice-Presldent.
The Senate assembled in conformity to
call from President Adams, March 4,
1901, at 10 O'Clock a. m. Aaron Burr,
ce-President-elect, was in the chair. The
Senator from 16 States responded to the
roll-call. Senator HilIhouse administered
the oath of Office to Aaron Burr.
AT high noon the President-elect,
Thomas Jefferson, accompanied by the
heads of the Departments, the Marshal
Of the District of Columbia, and long
procession of military officers and men in
civil authority, came into the Senate
Chamber. Jefferson's was the first inaug-
ural ceremony held in the new Capitol.
We have read much and heard more of
Jefersonian simplicity, and especially con-
cerning the traditional simplicity of Mr..
Jeferson's Inauguration, and also regard
ing the manner in which he was escorted
to the Capitol. The facts seem to be left
In darkness. One authority says he
walked, and another that he rode on horse
back, tying his own horse, without escort
guard or servant, and another that his
dress was "blue coat, brass buttons, blue
pantaloons, and coarse shoes tied with
leather shocstrings." We are quite unable
TO decide; yet there is some evidence that
is quite to the contrary, and we have no
doubt that Jefferson, with his friends,
might have shared in the disappointment
that his son-in-law, Jack Eppes, who had
been sent into Virginia 20 purchase n
four-in-hand, for which he paid 81 500,
did not reach the Capital in time for the
ceremony, and there was a great dilem-
ma how Mr.. jefferson was to get TO the
Capitol; for sush was king and mud mon
arch in Pennsylvania avenue. We also
have different pictures of Mr.. Jefferson
in kDee-breeches, buckled low-cut shoes,
ruffed wristbands, etc. Did he throw
these aside to make an impression? We
have it from good authority descend
ant of .IeIferson's, son-in-law of Nicholas
Trist-that Mr.. Jefferson was most pune
tilions regarding his personal appearance,
and exacting Of those around him.
Mr.. Adams did not remain at the Fed
eral Capitol until his successor had been
installed. Various reasons have been
given; one was that he was called from
the city by sickness in his family; an
other, that he was irritated by the treach.
cry in his own party that caused his de-
feat. Whatever the cause, he did not
rise above human weaknesses. 1t would
have been much more manly for him to
have remained and shown the same cour.
tcsy TO Jefferson that Washington had
shown to him.
If there were any ceremonies after the
new President had taken the oath, admin.
istered by Chief Justice Marshal. and de.
livered his Inaugural address, the news
paper reporters failed TO get their story
No mention is made of any ceremonials
yet it is believed there were demonstra
tions in honor of the occasion. The In
auguratlon of President Jefferson was the
formal dedication of the Nations Capitol
From this tima-1S01-a change came
In the policy of tae Government. Jeffer-
sons policy had tendency to weaken the
general powers of the Union, and TO hold
authority in narrow limits He profited
by Adams's mistakes, Or the mistakes of
Adans's advisers. His superb organizing
ability was given the strongest test. He
gave a new turn to American affairs. He
began retrenching and making reforms.
He reduced the Army and Navy; he pro-
posed the remission Of taxes; he abolished