The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-03-05

Washington, March 4-William Nc
Kinley, second time, is president of
the United States. He was ushered
into that Office today in city ablaze
with more and finer decorations than
ever have graced the holiday loving
, national capital, whose streets today
resounded to the thread of moro march
ing soldiers and sailors than ever have
participated in like function, and
had as witnesses to the ceremonies
vast multitude who cheered frequent
ly whenever he or his vice presidential
colleague was visible.
There has been better weather on
Inauguration days and there has been
much worse than that which attended
today's ceremonies. The day during
the forenoon gave promises of being a
golden spring day, such as Professor,
Moore, the chief of the weather
bureau, last night very confidentally
and with much emphasis predicted,
but the weather was in a capricious
mood, and by noon slow drizzle be-
gan, which lasted with some intermis-
sions and some lively downpours the
rest of the afternoon. The rain un-
fortunately came just at the time
when Pre- sident Mckinley was being
inducted into Office on the east front
of the capitol in the presence of a
crowd, estimated at 40, 900 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 than
this Garfield was inaugurated in
storm; Harrison in cold rain that
deluged the city from dawn until
dark, and Cleveland took the oath at
his second Inauguration before 10000
cheering people in fierce gale, with
snow beating down upon his bare
head. Today's downpour at the most
interesting point Of the proceedings,
while the oath was being administered
on the east front of the capitol
helped forward the agitation for April
as the date for future inaugurations
1t was April 80 that George Washing
ton took the first oath to the highest
office known to man and today's ex-
perience was commentary on the
uncertainty of March weather.
The day could not have promised
better than it did in the ::early for
noon. The air was soft and balmy,
and light southern breeze was blow
ing. But it was grey day. Leaden
clouds drifted across leaden skies,
leaden shaft pierced the sky where a
snow white shaft to Washington used
to stand and in the distance a leaden
stream rolled where formerly was the
silver Potomac. But the weather
sharp was certain. He used no s.ifs''
or "buts;" he staked his honor upon
blue skies and blazing sun later on
and the multitude pinned their faith
to him. Had man been on top
of the dome of the capitol, Washing
ton must have looked as it did in the
spring of 1866 when the, victorious
armies and the multitudes behind and
with them gathered here for the
grand review by President Lincoln.
Never has an inaugural parade in
Washington passed off with as little
friction and with the general piotur-
esque effect that accompanied the pa
geant that served as President Nc
Kinley's and Vice-President Roose-
velt's escort to the white house after
they had taken the oath of Office under
the shadow Of the capitol.
The police arrangements through
out were exceptionally effective. The
Inauguration management had pro
vided durable barrier of iron posts
and wire cable along both sides of
Pennsylvania avenue from the Peace
monument to Seventieth street, abso-
lutely keeping clear the line of march
for the first time in the history of
inaugural displays ip Washington.
This barrier was not broken through
at any point on the whole day and the
troops were able to march in extended
formation, thereby adding to the
beauty Of the display and the speed
with which the procession was ena-
bled to pass given point.
The start was made from the capitol
about 2:15 O'Clock and the last Of the
~S u