The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1901-09-27
TAKES THE OATH OF OFFICE IN
THE PRESENCE or MEMBERS
OF CABINET.
CABINET OFFICERS WILL STAY
Mr.. Roosevelt Declares Before the
Ceremony 1t VIII BE His Purpose
to Garry Out the Policy of Preai-
dent Mckinley - There Will Not
BE an Extra Session of Congress-
Offers Sympathy to MRS. Me-
Kinley.


presidential chair Of the American re-,
public, Saturday took the oath Of office
and was sworn in as president TO- sue
coed the lamented President Mckinley,
lying dead from the effects Of an assas.
sins bullet.
The new presidents first announce
ment YVES that all the cabinet ministers
would remain with him end that there
would not he an extra session of con-
gress.
The ceremony Of taking the oath OF
Office occurred at the residence of
Ansley Wilcox. personal friend, and
the scene was an affecting one.
There were present when he swore to
the oath: Secretaries Root, Hitchcock,
Long, Wilson and Postmaster General
Smith, Senator Chauncey NJ. Depew Of
New York and others.
The new president had just come
from the Milburn house. whittier he
had Immediately gone on his arrival in
the city to express to Mrs. Mckinley
and the family of the dead president
his deep sympathy in the hour o. their
bereavement.
Roosevelt Takes Oath. .
The place selected for the ceremony
was the library Of Mr.. Wi)ccx's house.
Surrounding him were the five men,
bers of the cabinet-Secretaries Root,
Hitchcock, Long and Wilson and Post
master General Smith.
At precisely 3:32 o'clock Secretary
Root said in an almost inaudible voice:
"Mr. Vice President, L" then his
voice broke, and for fully two minutes
the tears came down his face and his
lips quivered so that he could not con-
tinue his utterances. There were SYM
pathetic tears from those about him.
and two great drops ran down either
cheek of the successor to William Nc
Kinley. Mr.. Roots chin was on his
breast. Suddenly throwing back his
head as if with an effort, he continued
in broken voice:
II have been requested on behalf Of
the cabinet of the late president, at
least those who are present in Buffalo,
all except two, to request that for
reasons Of weight affecting the affairs
of the government you should proceed
to take the constitutional oath as pres
ident of the United States"
Follow NcI<inlcy's Policy.
Mr.. Roosevelt replied in a voice that
at first wavered, but finally became
deep and strong:
IT shall take the oath at once, In &C
cordance with your request, and in this
hour OF deep and terrible national be-
reavemcnt, I wish to state that 1t shall
be my aim to continue absolutely UNI
broken the policy Of President McKin-
ley for the peace ana prosi Gritty and
honor of our beloved country"
Judge ]. r. Hazel Of the United
States district court then administered
the oath of office.
Immediately following the dispensing
of the spectators after taking the oath
President Roosevelt asked the cabinet
members present to confer with him.
The conference lasted very nearly two
hours, and when it was finished the
president said:
Following out the brief statement
made when taking the oath that I
would follow the administrative lines
laid down by President Mckinley, re-
quested the members Of the cabinet
who were present to remain in their
positions at least for the present. They
have assured me that they will, and
may say that I have assurance also
from the absent members
Inquiry was made of the president as
to whether an extra session of congress
would be called by him, and he said in
substance that there was no funda-
mental law requiring the calling of con-
gress together upon the succession OF a
vice president to the presidency, and
after consultation with the cabinet they
had decided that no extra session would
be called.