Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-09-27
ROOSEVELT SWORN IN
THE NEW PRESIDENT TAKES THE
OATH OF OFFICE.
Tell. the Cabinet officer. that His
Main Purpose L. to Continue the
Policies of McKinlcy-Pays Visit OF
Coincidence to Widow.

Theodore Roosevelt became President
of the United States at $3.50 O'Clock Sat
urday afternoon, when he complied with
the constitutional provision and took the
prescribed oath to support and defend the
constitution and the laws of the United
States. He took that oath at Buffalo in
the library of the residence of Ansley
Wilcox. u personal friend, with whom he
stopped earlier in the week when the
physicians thought President Mckinney
would recover from the wound inflicted
by the assassin,
The scene was a most affecting one.
TIL new President had just come from
the Milburn house, where his predecessor
lay cold in death. Overcome by the deep
personal sorrow he felt, in his character
istically impulsivc way he had gone first
to the house of mourning to offer his con-
dolence and sympathy to the broken
hearted widow. Secretary Root, who.
twenty years ago. had been present at a
similar scene, when Arthur took the
oath, after the death of another Presi-
dent who fell a victim to an assassin's
bullet. almost broke down when he re-
quested MIR. Roosevelt, on behalf of the
members of the cabinet of the late PrsS.-
dent, to take the prescribed oath. There
was not Il dry eye in the room.
The new President was visibly shaken.
but he controlled himself, and when he
lifted his hand to swear it was steady.
With the deep solemnity Of the occasion
full upon aim, he announced to those
present that his aim would be to be Will
liam McKinley's successor in deed as well
as in name. Deliberately he proclaimed
IL in these words:
I'm this hour of deep and terrible be-
reavement, l wish to state that it shall
be my aim to continue absolutely unbrok-
en- the policy of President Mckinley for
the peace and prosperity and honor Of
our beloved country"
The great, far-reaching significance Of
this pledge to continue the policy of the
dead President, announced at the very
threshold of a new governmental regime.
profoundly impressed his hearers, and
President Roosevelt's first step after TAX
ing the oath was in line with it's redemp-
tion. His first act was to ask the men,
bers of the cabinet to retain their port
folios temporarily in order to aid him to
conduct the government on ines laid
down by him whose policy he had declar-
ed he would uphold, and every member
of the cabinet. including Secretary of
State Hay and Secretary of the Treasury
Gage. who We're communicated with in
Washington, agreed for the present, at
least, to retain their several portfolios.
Col. Roosevelt arrived in Buffalo at
1875 o'clock Saturday afternoon. He had
had a hard nights ride from the North
Woods to Albany and then a swift Sush
across the State by special train. but his
bronzcd face howed no signs of fatigue
as he stepped from the train to the plat.
form. He looked grave and saddcned,
but not in the least fatigucd.
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 fundamental
law requiring the calling of Congress to-
gether upon the succession of Il Vice.
President to the presidency, and that af-
ter consultation with the cabinet they
had decided that no such extra session
would be called.
Cabinet Will Stay.
Somewhat to the surprise of the six
members of the cabinet who were on the
funeral train from Buffalo. President
Roosevelt called them into his private
compartment and said to them that he
wanted everyone of them to consider him
self invited to become u mcmbe of the
new cabinet.
II not only wan you to stay with me-"
said the President to them, but l want
you to consider that 1 am selecting you
as my choice. You are asked not merely
to fill out q term. but to be my chosen
counselors. 1 wish to have the matter
regarded in this light. There are vacan-
cics in the cabinet post, and l choose all
you gentlemen to fill them. l will appoint
you anew"
The six members of the cabinet held a
brief consultation. and at the end of it
all of them accepted the invitation and
pledged themselves to their new chief.
AT the request of the President they also
promised to use all their influence to SEE
cure a similar acceptance from the two
members of the cabinet who were not
present at this happy conference-Secre-
taries Gage and Hay.