The sun., 1901-09-16

secretary ROOt, WHO tWchts se"t'
ago had been present ut similar scene
when Arthur took the oath after the
death of another president who fell a
victim to an nssassin's bullet, almost
broke. down when he requested Mr.
Roosevelt. on behalf OF the members
of the cabinet of the late president, to
take the prescribed oath. There was
not dry eye in the room. The new
president was vislbly agitated, but he
controlled himself and when he lifted
his hand to swear 1t was as steady az
though carved in marble.
To Follow McKinley's Policy.
with the deep solemnity of the oc
casion full upon him he announced to
| those present that his aim would be to
| be William McKinley's successor in
deed as well as in name. Deliberately
he proclaimed it in these words;
I'm this hour of deep and terrible
national bereavement | wish TO state
| that it shall be my aim to continue alb
| solutely without variance the policy OF
President Mckinley for the peace and
prosperity and honor Of our beloved
country"
| The great farreaching Significance of
this pledge to continue the policy of
the dead president. announced at the
| very threshold Of Il new governmental
regime, profoundly impressed his hear
ers, and President Rooseyelts first
step after taking the oath was in line
with its redemption.
His first act was to ask the members
Of the cabinet to retain their portfolios
In order to aid him to conduct the gov
ernment on lines laid down by him
whose policy he had declared he would
uphold. Such an appeal was not to be
resisted, and every member OF the cab
met, including Secretary Of State Hay
and Secretary of the Treasury Gage,
who were communicated with in WASH
ington. have agreed for the present at
least. to retain their several PORTFOLIOS.
The president has made no plans as
vet. lie said he was so shocked by
this national calamity that had thrust
his new responsibilities upon him that
he had had no time yet to think OF his
future career at Washington.
Mrs. Mckinley, feeble and broken
hearted as she Is, bears up under her
great SORROW with remarkable forti
tude. and DR.. Rixey says he believes
. she will be able to go through the try
, ing ordeal of state funeral.
A death mask will be made by Q
| Washington artist named Garet. AL
the presidents relatives and friend.
: agreed that it was desirable that thu
= features of the martyred presiden
should be preserved for the sake o.
history.
:. No coroner's inquest was held. Pur
/ suing the precedent laid down In tn
!. case of Garfield. the coroner simpl.
:, viewed the body and hter gave cer
tilicate of burial.
OdelIs Proclamation.
:. Governor Odell, now at Buffalo, ha
:, issued the following proclamation:
- "The nation mourns the loss of tn
i president. William McKinley's VII
Il tues his devotion to duty and nobl
!, character had won for him the conf
i, dence, the love and admiration of tn
=, American people. History will recor
i, the events in his life devoted to publ
service and his wisdom in formulatin
;. the policies of our country His loy
!, of home and family have brought hi
10 near to the hearts of his countrymel
, With profound sorrow In this, the firs
10 hour of our atiliction, we may fall
!, discern the purposes Of an all wis
rn Providence; but, with heavy hear
"a and heads bowed low in grief, we sa.
y however, with our lamented presiden
i, His will be done, not ours.
n, "rhat the day of the final obsequi'
Il. may be appropriately observed in tn
to state the 10th day of September, 100
NJ is hereby designated as day OF n
~. initiation and prayer.
q "Let all the people of this commo
nm wealth upon the day thus set apart
n, frain from all secular pursuits and
pair to their respective places of VIC
no ship, there to offer up prayers to !
m mighty God for the comfort and su
,In port Of the bereavcd wife and famil
ar. for a continuance of his mercy al
he blessings toward our country and tn
~. wisdom and strength may be youc
nj safed to his successor, so suddenly ca
nj ed upon to assume the rcsponsibiliti
wv of president of the United States"