The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-09-17

Mr.. Roots chin was on his breast
Suddenly throwing back his head as If
with an effort he continued in broken
voice:
Il have been requested on behalf OF
the cabinet CT the late president. at
least those who are present in Buffalo.
all except two. to request that for rea-
sons OF weight affecting the affairs Of
government you should proceed TO take
the constitutional oath Of president OF
the United States"
Judge Hazel had stepped to the rear
OF the president and Mr.. Roosevelt.
coming closed to Secretary Root, said
in voice that at first wavered, but
, finally came deep and strong, while, as
if to control his nervousness he held
firly to the lapel of his coat with his
/. right hand:
Il shall take the oath at once in ac-
| cordance with your request and in this
hour of deep and terrible nationa, be-
reavement I wish to state that it shall
| be my aim to continue absolute un-
/ broken the policy Of President A-cKin-
| ley for the peace and prosperity and
| honor of our beloved country"
! The president stepped farther in the
Il! bay window and Judge Hazel, taking up
the constitutional oath of office, which
! had been prepared on parchment, ask
ed the president to raise his right hand
/ and repeat it after him. There was a
hush like death in the room as the
| judge read a few words at a time and
the president in strong voice and with
out a tremor and with his raised hand
| as steady as if carved from marble
repeated it after him.
and thus I swear" he ended it.
The hand dropped by the side and the
chin for an instant rested on the
| breast and the silence remained unbro-
ken for couple Of minutes as though
the new president Of the United States
was offering prayer.
Judge Hazel broke the silence, say
ing, "Mr. President, please attach
your SIGNATURE and the president,
turning to small table near by, wrote
Theodore Roosevelt at the bottom of
the document in a firm hand.
| II should like to see the members of
the cabinet few moments after the
others retire. said the president, and
this was the signal for the score of
people who had been favored by wit
Messing the ceremony, to retire. When
they turned to go, the president said:
'T will shake hands with you people,
gladly" and. with something of his old
smile returning, he first shook hands
with the members of the cabinet pres
ent, then with Senator Depew and
finally with a few guests and newspa-
per men.
PRESENT CABINET TO REMAIN
FOR THE PRESENT.
Immediately following the dispensing
of the spectators after the taking of the
oath, the president and the cabinet
members present held a conference.
When it was finished the president said
! to the represcn nta tives of the Associa- :
: ted Press:
"Following out the brief statement 1
made when taking the oath that l
. would follow the administrative lines
: laid down by President Mckinley 1 re-
quested the members of the cabinet
who We're present to remain in their po-
sitions at least for the present. They
have assured me that they will, and /
may say that / have assurances also
from the absent members
NO EXTRA SESSION OF CONGRESS
( Inquiry was made of the president
as to whether an extra session of con-
{ gress would be called by him and he
l said in substance that there was nc
fundamental law requiring the calling
: of congress together upon the success
= sion of a vice president to the presi-
: dency and that after consultation with
the cabinet they had decided that ne
l such extra session would be called
' ! The president after the meeting of the
: cabinet saw q few personal friends and
] then putting on his hat said to Secre-
:, tary Root: Let us take a little walk;
< it will do us both good
1 Secretary Root assented and the!
J., walked out on the porch.
= His host, Mr.. Ansley Wilcox, said
!. Mr. President. shan't I go with you?'
: short walk up the street with Secretary
, Root and will return again."
/ WANTS NO BODYGUARD.
When he got down to the foot of th'
= walk a couple of policemen and ;
;. couple Of detectives in citizens clothing
8 | started to follow him. He turned ant
:, told his secretary to tell them that III
. | did not desire any protection. Il d.
. not want to establish the precedent o
/. going about guarded"
= The policemen and detectives touched
: their hats, but before he had gone 1O
j yards two of them were walking jus
a behind him ard two of them were fol
r lowing him on the other side Of the
e street
The two distinguished men attracted
but little attention until they got neal
q the police lines on Delaware avenue
q when the president stopped to shake