Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1901-09-19

/ Theodore Roosevelt. twenty-siXth
president OF the United States. sue
ceeds Ia that exalted office under the
constitution and laws of the country,
and with the administration of the
oath OF office began the exercise of the
functions OF president
Ia these statements are embraced
the consummation of an awful trag
edy ana the historic event 10y which
the entire administration of govern
ment is changed ana new admins.
tration comes into being.
The statute providing for the success
sion 10 the presidency requires that
congress shall he convened in case
member of the cabinet becomes pres.
dent. but the statutory requirement
does not apply 10 the case of the vice
president being elevated TO the preSl-
dency through the death of the pres-
dent 1t is believed that since the law
does not call upon him to do so, the
new president will not summon con
gress I'm special session. but will allow
the affairs Of the different departments
10 remain in their present hands until
congress shall meet in constitutional
session December I'd. less than thre,
months hence. This precedent was set
by President Arthur after the death
Of Garfield. President Arthur did con
woke the senate in special session. but
circumstances arc somewhat different
in the present instance.
President Roosevelt reached Buffalo
ut 40 Saturday afternoon, accom-
panied by his private secretary. Will
~ -. ~. r..
nh escort of the Fourth signal corps
formed about him and conducted him
To an automobile which his friend. An
sley Wilcox. had i'm waiting. The dem
onstration which greeted his appear
ance was in keeping with the solem-
nifty of the occasion. Those who saw
him did not raise cheer. but attest
ed their respect by lifting their hats.
As soon as he entered the vehicle the
chauffeur turned the lever and the
automobile went Swimming away To
the residence of Mr.. Wilcox on Della
ware avenue. The president arrived
ut the Wilcox home ut lao o'clock
Call of Condolences
With hardly any conversation he
retired mt once to his room. where he
bathed and dressed. At 1910 o'clock
he was ready TO leave for the Milburn
house. where he desired TO make his
official call of coincidence. He was eS-
corted by detail from the fourth sig
nal corps and mounted police.
The president was attired in Il black
frock coat and dark striped trousers.
He alighted at the NIilburn house "a,
exactly 2:3S o'clock. He was accom-
panied to the house by his host. Mr.
Ansley Wilcox and one of the secret
service force.
1t was 3:1J when President Roose-
welt came back 10 the house of Mr..
Ansley Wilcox. and until 3D.. when
the cabinet arrived, preparations were
being made for the taking OF the oath
of office.
Roosevelt Toot the Oath of ONCE.
At precisely 3:32 O'Clock Secretary
Root ceased his conversation with the
president and, stepping back. while an
absolute hush fell upon every one in
the room said in an almost inaudible
voice: Mr.. NicePresident. ]" then
his voice broke and for fully two
minutes the tears came down his face
and his lips quivered so that he could
not continue his utterances. There
were sympathetic tears from those
about him and two great drops ran
down either cheek of the successor Of
Mr. Mckinley 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 of the late president. ut
least those who are present i'm Buff
falo. all except two, 10 request that
for reasons of weight affecting the az
fairs of government you will proceed
10 take the constitutional office of
president of the United States"
Mr.. Roosevelt's voice wavered at first
as he replied;
Il shall take the oath AT once in ac-
cordance with your request and in this
hour of deep and terrible national be-
rcavement wish To state that il shall
he my aim 10 continue absolutely I'M
broken the policy of President McKin-
ley for the peace and prosperity and
honor of our beloved country
An Impressive Scene.
The president stepped farther into
the bay window, and Judge Hazel.
taking up the constitutional oath Of
office which had been prepared on
parchment. asked the president TO
raise his right hand and repeat it
after him. There was n hush like
death In the room and the judge read a
few words ut Il time and the presi-
dent i'm a strong voice and without II
tremor and with his raised hand as
steady as IL carved from marble. re-
peated ii after him. And thus
swear" he ended H. The hand drop
ped by the side. the chin for an in
slant rested on the breast and the
silence remained unbrOken for couple
a minutes as though the new presi
dent of the United States was offer
Ing silent prayer. Judge Hazel broke
ii. saying: Mr. President. please at
tach your signature" And the preSi-
dent turning to small table near by.
wrote Theodore Roosevelt at the bot
tom OF the document i'm Il firm hand.
Immediate session of Cabinet Called
Il should like 10 see the members ot
the cabinet Il few moments after the
others retire. said the president. ana
this was the signal for the score OF
people who had been favored ny
witnessing the ceremony 10 retire ~
they turned 10 go the president SAID:
Il will shake hands with You people.
gladly" and with something of his old
smile returning he first shook hands
. I... ..,I. Al