Evening star., 1901-03-04
with leather leggtns and were armed with
Lee-Medford rifles.
THE PRESIDENT SWORN IN.
Ceremonies at the East Front of the
Capitol.

The PRESlDENP SWORN n.
, Ceremonies at the East Front of the
Capitol.
| The great plaza at the east front of the
Capitol was packed with spectators close
| as they could stand, from the Capitol steps
! back to the National Library building.
| By the arrangement, which was an
nounced by the president pro tenn. in the
Senate under which the Senate and House
and guests were seated on the platform be-
fore the President appeared, the arrival of
the President was readily distin-
guished by the crowd, and his arrival at
the head of the grand east staircase
the signal for prolonged and vehemen.
cheers.
Rain Begins to Fall.
The rain began to fall in gentle sprinkle
about the time the head of the line (com-
posed of the press representatives. reached
the stand. Inside of five minutes the sprin-
kle had developed into drenching down.
pour of rain, with an occasional dash Of
seet.
Just as the rain was beginning to make
the multitude restless, Mrs. Mckinley Oh
the arm of General Corbn, appeared at the
top of the stairs, and, leaning heavily tn
the arm of her escort, walked out upon the
stand into the rain This manifestation Of
wifely pride and devotion aroused the Ell
thusiasm of the vast assemblage and she
was greeted with cheers.
The rain greatly reduced the number of
spectators on the platform, but the Supreme
Court justices in their gowns, the diplomats
in their gold lace and feathers, and states
men with their silk hats, stoically stood the
shower.
Just as the President accompanied by
the congressional committee and Vice Pres
ident Roosevelt were escorted to the execu-
tive stand by the sergeant-at-arms Of the
Senate, the shower suddenly ceased.
Ovation for the President.
The President stepped lightly forward
upon the raised platform, bowling in one di-
rection and then another, with that smile
upon his face which won for him many
friends long before he was thought Of for
President.
Then he stood with uplifted hand and
took the oath of office, which was admin
istered by Chief Justice Fuller. A great
battery of cameras snapped and great
roar Of cheering swept through the crowd
as he pressed his lips to the Bible.
Immediately upon taking the oath the
President began his address, which was de-
livered from manuscript, but with a
freedom that did not suggest reading.
His voice was clear and that he could be
heard far out through the great audience
was evidenced by the applause, even at the
very outskirts, which responded to par
ticularly pointed appeals to patriotic senti-
ment.
Before he had spoken many minutes the
downpour of rain and hail began anew, /
and the spectators were drenched as they
listened.
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
President Mckinley Speaks Again to
the American People.
The Presidents inaugural address was as
follows:
My FelIow-Citizens:
When assembled here on the 4th of |
March, 1897, there was great anxiety with |
regard to our currency and credit. None |
exists now. Then our treasury receipts |
were inadequate to meet the current obli- |
cations of the government. Now they are
sufficient for alfpublic needs, and we have
a surplus instead of deficit. Then I felt |
constrained to convene the Congress in ex- |
traordinary session to devise revenues to |
pay the ordinary expenses Of the govern
ment. Now 1 have the satisfaction to an