The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-03-05
William Mckinley a Second Time Is
Sworn in as President of the
United States.
not A HITCH IN The PROCEEDINGS
Inaugural Parade, the Finest Seen in
Washington in Years. EXcep-
tiOnally Well Handled.

Kinley, a second time, is president of
the United States. He was ushered into
that office today in a city ablaze with
more and finer decorations than ever
have graced the hoIiday-loving national
capital, whose streets today resounded
to the tread of more marching soldiers
and sailors than ever have participated
in a like function, and had as witnesses
to, the ceremonies a vast multitude who
cheered frequently whenever he or his
vice presidential colleague was visible.
There has been better weather on in
auguration days, and there has been
much worse than that which attended to-
days ceremonies. The day during the
forenoon gave promises of being a golden
spring day, such as Prof Moore, the
chief of the weather bureau, last night
very confidently and with much en-
phasis predicted, but the weather was in
capricous mood and by noon a slow
drizzle began which lasted, with some
intermissionS and some lively downpours
the rest of the afternoon. The rain un-
fortunately came just at the time when
President Mckinley was being inducted
into Office on the east front of the cap-
itol in the presence of a crowd estimated
to number 10000 persons. But the air was
mild and pleasant, and the day ended
with dry weather, so that as stated there
have been many worse Inauguration days
storm; Harrison in a cold rain that de-
luged the city from dawn until dark,
and Cleveland took the oath at his sec
ond inaugural before 10000 cheering peo-
pie in a fierce gale with the snow beat
ing down upon his bare head
RAINED ON MKINLEY.
Todays downpour at the most interest
Ing point of the proceedings, while the
oath was being administered on the east
front of the capitol helped forward the
agitation for April 4 as the date for
future inaugurations. 1t was April 80
that George Washington took the first
oath to the highest office known to man,
and today's experience was a commen-
tary on-the uncertainty of March wealth
er. The day could not have promised bet
tfr than it did in the early forenoon.
The air was soft and balmy and a light
southern breeze was blowing. But it was
gray day. Leaden clouds drifted across
leaden skies, a 1eaden shaft pierced the
sky where a snow white shaft to Wash
ington used to stand, and in the distance
leaden stream rolled where formerly
was the silver Potomac. But the weather
sharp was certain. He used no ifs or
butts. He staked his honor upon blue
skies and blazing sun later on and the
multitude pinned their faith on him
Everything presaged the greatest page
ant III the AlSlOIy Oh HAD
man been on top of the dome of the
capitol, Washington must have looked
as it did in the spring of 1865, when the
victorious armies and the multitude be-
hind and with them gathered here for
the grand review. Off to the south of
the broad bosom of the Potomac seven
warships one of them the historic Hart
ford, Admiral Farraguts flagship at the
battle Of Mobile bay, rode at anchor.
.
From every direction long winding
trains were coming into the city to pour
their human freight into the already
Feething caldron. In the maze of choked
streets spread out between squares, NOV
ing gun barrels CLEANED, banners. flags
and transparencies rose above compact
masses of men and gorgeous bands
checks of color, drifted here and there
everywhere, the shifting multitude So
closely packed that the ground seemed
fairly alive. Pennsylvania avenue dec
Grated with miles of bunting and with
thousands of flags trembling and f1utter-
ing in the gentle br6eze, was lined with
an impenetrable mass of people so early
who had apparently arisen for the pur-
pose of getting good positions They
hlled the terraced stands and balconies
vale I in the windows and fringed the
roofs, while blaring bands, clear drawn
bugle calls and galloping aides told Of the
military legions marching deep into the
taDgle of streets to take their place in
the grand procession. The influence OF
the greatest multitude that ever invaded
the city, oVershadoWed all the pagean-
try and most impressed the mind. Wash
ington had decked herself as never before
for the second Inauguration of McKin-
ley, and the induction into the vice pres
idency of Roosevelt She has been many
tN1iI TO1a
truly regal for her twice accepted lord
She was dressed like a queen. The COM
mittee in charge had insisted upon uni
form and harmonious decorations. The
scheme was superb and it was admir-
ably executed. The gem of it all was
the court of honor, where the president
reviewed the parade. 1t extended from
the treasury building, with it's severe
classic facades and columns. to the state.
war and navy building. with it's impos-
ing Italian renaissance architecture
comprising the stretch in front of the
executive mansion Guarding the en-
trance were gigantic white pilons sur
mounted by bronze urns for the Greek
fire at night Doric columns like meas
ured sentinels, stood before the white
rooted stands in which the distinguished
Iersonages were seated, while other col
umns run in a semi-circle through the
White house grounds. 1t was as beauti-
full as the setting in a theater.
SCENE IN THE SENATE.
Only a comparatively insignificant por-
ton of the vast multitude saw anything
OF the actual inauguration ceremonies at
the capitol. The great umbrellaed thou
sands were content to wait in the avenue
below to see the two men whom the
mental attention of the world was fixed
today and the great processi.n which
followed them. The brilliant and i'm
pressive scene in the senate when the
vice president-elect was inducted into
office was reserved for a few hundred.
The public had no part in it. While the
distinguished audience was gathering in
the senate chamber the president in a
little side room was signing the bills
which the dying congress was sending
to him.
The senate galleries were already filled,
tier on tier with handsomely gowned
women and men, conspicuous in every