The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1901-09-19
Our New President Has Issued His First Of
fetal Proclamation---Will Follow
Policy of Previous President.
An Extra Session Of Congress Will Not be CaedPresdent will
Move His Family to Washington D. C., Immediately
Cabinet to Remain as II Is For the Present.
Ceremony at Buffalo Impressive.

Buffalo, Sept. l6.-Theodore Roose-
welt, who was tragically elevated to
the chief magistracy Of the American re-
/ public by the death Of President McKin-
ley, entered this city Of mourning
after . remarkable and perilous jour
nsy from the heart Of the north
woods. He had been president under the
consitution and law Of the land since
the martyred president ceased to live. All
the duties and powers of the office had
dsvolved upon him, but he was powerless
- the humblest citizen to exercise one Of
them until he had complied with the con-
stitution and laws of the United States.
He took the oath at o'clock in the aft
Arnoon in the library Of the residence Of
Ansley Wilcox, personal friend, with
whom he stopped earlier in the week
when the physicians thought President
Mckinley would recover from the wound
inflicted by the Assassin.
There were present when he swore to
&Ae oath: Secretaries Root, Hitchcock,
Long, Wilson and Postmaster General
Smith, Senator c. N. Depew Of New York,
Judge Of the Court Of Appeals Haight,
John N. Scattered, Mr.. and Mrs. Ansley
Wilcox, Miss Wilcox, George p. Sawyer.
On. Mann, Park and Stockton, Mr.. and
Nrs. Carleton Spague, Mr.. and Mrs. John
9. Milburn, the secretary to the president,
William Loeb, Jr.; the secretary to the
deceased president, @. B. COrtelyou; Mr..
and Mrs. Charles Oarey, G. R. Scattered,
]. D. Sawyer and William JeAers, official
telegrapher. in addition to Judge ]. R.
Hasel Of the United States district court,
who administered the oath.
The scene was most affecting one.
The new president had just come from the
Nilburn house, where his predecessor lay
cold in death. Overcome by the deep per-
sonal sorrow he felt in his CHARACTERISED.
cally impulsive way, he had gone first to
the house Of mourning to Offer his con-
dolencs and sympathy to the broken
hearted widow. Secretary Root, who 20
years ago had been present 1T similar
scene when Arthur took the oath after
the death Of another president who fell
. victim to an assassin's bullet, almost |
broke down when he requested Mr.. Roose-
welt, on behalf Of the members Of the cab
met Of the late president, TO take the pre-
scribed oath. There was not dry eye
IN the room. The new president was visi-
bly, shaken, but he controlled himself, |
and when he lifted his hand to swear it |
was q steady - though carved in mar
BE. With the deep solemnity Of the oc-
casion he announced to those present that |
his aim would b to be William McEin- |
lsy's successor in deed a. well a. in name.
Deliberately he proclaimed it in these
words. I'm this hour Of deep and terrible
national bereavement wish to state that
Il shall Be my aim to continue absolutely
without variance the policy Of President
Mckinley for the peace and prosperity
and honor Of our beloved country"
The far reaching significance Of this
pledge to continue the policy Of the dead
president announced at the very thresh-
hold of new governmental regime pro-
foundly impressed his hearers and Presi-
dent Roosevelt's first step after taking
the oath was in line with it's redemption.
His first act was to ask the members Of
the cabinet to retain their portfolios in
order to aid him to conduct the govern
ment on lines laid down by him whose
policy be had declared he would uphold.
Such an appeal was not to be resisted and
every member Of the cabinet, including
Secretary Of State Hay and Secretary Of
the Treasury Gage, who were communi-
rated with in Washington, has agreed
Tor the present at least to retain their K
x,or&folion Ii