Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-09-19
OATH Of OFFICE
Administered by Judge Hazel to
President Roosevelt in
Buffalo.
PRES. M'KINLEY'S POLICY
VIII Be Followed Closely by the New
Executive-Ol Cabinet VIII Not
Resign AZ Present-No Extra Ses-
sion OF Congress- Went to
Washington Monday.

Buffalo, ~ Y, Sept 15.-Presidcnt
Roosevelt took the oath of Office at Ansley
WilcoX's residence at 3:35 p. IN. yester-
day. The place selected was the library
of Mr. WilcoXs house, rather small
room, but picturesque, the heavy oak
trimmings and massive bookcases giving
it somewhat the appearance of legal
den. A pretty bay window with stained
glass and heavy hangings formed back
ground, and against this the President
took his position.
Surrounding him were the five members
of the cabinet Secretaries Root. Hitch
cock Long, Wilson and Postmaster-General
smith. Near by were Senator Chauncey
NJ. Depew. Judge of the Court of Appeals
Ilaight. John Scathard, Mr. and Mrs
Anslcy Wilcox, Miss Wilcox, George T.
Sawyer, Drs. Mann, Park and Stockton
Mr.. and Mrs. Carleton Spraguer Mr.. ana
Mrs. John c. Mlburn. Secretary to the
President William Loeb. jr.. Secretary TO
the deceased President George b. Cortel-
you, DIR. and Mrs Charles Carey, r. C.
Scathard, j. ID. Sawyer. William Jeffers,
official tclegraphcr of the United States
Senate, and Judge of the United states
District Court John r. Hazel
Judge Hazel stood near the President
in tho bay window, and the latter showed
his almost extreme nervousness by pick
Ing at the lapel of his long, fsrock coat
and nervously tapping the hardwood foor
Win MS Ittl. tie SAtpItu oNtl oilN' ~
Secretary Root, and for about five min
utes they ConVersed very earnestly. the
question at issue was whether the Presl'
dent should first sign an oath of oillce
and swear in or whether he should swear
IN first and sign the document in the case
after.
AT precisely 3:32 o'clock Secretary Root
ceased his conversation with the Presi-
dent and, stepping back. while an alb
solute hush fell upon every one in the
oil sNN4tt ~ 10 n 40
Mr.. Nice-Presdcnt, l. then his
voice broke, and for fully two minutes
the tears ran down his face and his lips
quivered so that he could not continue his
uttcrances. There were sympathetic tears
from those about him, and two great drops
ran down either check of the successor
of William Mckinley. Mr. Roots chin was
his breast
Suddenly throwing back his head, as II
with an effort. he continued in broken
voice: Il have been requested on behalf of
the cabinet Of the late President. at least
those who are present in Buffalo, all ex-
cept two. to request that for reasons OF
weight affecting the affairs OF government
you should proceed to take the constitu-
tional oath of office of the President Of
the United States.
Judge Hazel had stepped to the rear of
the President, and Mr.. Roosevelt, coming
closer to Secretary Root, said in a voice
that at first wavered, but finally came de ep
and strong while as If to control his
nervousness he held firmly the lapel of his
coat with his right hand I shall take
the oath at once, in accordance with your
request and in this hour Of deep and ter
rble national bereavement l wish to state
that it shall he my aim to continue abso-
lutelY unbroken the policy of President
Mckinley for the peace and prosperity and
honor of our beloved country"
The President stepped farther into the bay
window. and Judge Hazel taking Up tho
/ a h.td
been prepared on parchment, asked the
President to raise his right hand and re-
peat it after him.
There was hush like death in the room
as the judge read few words at a time,
and the President, In a strong voice ana
without a tremor, and with his rails d
hand as steady as If carved from marble.
repeated it after him,
And thus l swear" he ended it, Tho
hand dropped by the side, the chin for an
instant rested on the breast and the 81
lence remained unbroken for a couple OF
minutes as though the new President Of
the United States was Offering silent pray
Judge Hazel broke it, saying: Mr.. Pres
ident, please attach your signature" And
the President, turning 10 a small table
nearby. wrote "THEODORE ROOSE-
WELT" at the bottom OF the document in
a firm hand
Il should like to see the members of the
cabinet a few moments after the others
retire" said the President, and this was
the signal for the scores of people who had
been favored by witnessing the ceremony
to retire As they turned to go, the Pres
ident said: II will shake hands with you
people gladly" and, with something If his
old smile returning, he shook hands with
those present
Immediately after tNe dispensing Of the
spectators Of the taking OF the oath, the
President asked the cabinet members
n him "a