Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-09-19
OATH IS
TAKEN
Vice President Theodore
Roosevelt Formally
Assumes Office
Impressive Event Occurs
in Private Home
/ in Buffalo
New Executive Announces
Continuation of nc
kinley's Policies

Buffalo, Sept. 15.-At 3:15 President
Roosevelt came to the house Of Ans
ley Wilcox and until 1925, when the
cabinet arrived preparations were be-
ing made for his taking Of the oath OF
Office. The place selected was the IL
brary, a rather small room, but pictur-
esque and pretty. A bay window with
stained glass and heavy hangings
formed a background and against this
the president took his position. Sur
rounding him were five members OF
the cabinet, Secretary Root, Hitch
cock, Long, Wilson and Postmaster
General Smith. Nearby were Senator
Chauncey M. Depew, Judge of the
Court of Appeals Haight, John Scatch-
ard, Mr. and Mrs. Ansley Wilcox,
George P. Sawyer, Doctors Mann,
Park and Stockton, Mr. and Mrs.
Carleton Sprague, Mr.. and Mrs. John
G. Milburn, Secretary George B. Cor
telyou, DR.. and Mrs. Charles Carey, r.
G. Scatchard, J. D. Sawyer, William
Jeffers, official telegrapher of the
United States senate, and the judge of
the United States district court, John
R. Hazel. Judge Hazel stood near the
president in the bay window and the
latter displayed extreme nervousness.
He stepped over to Secretary Root
and they discussed the question
whether the president should first
! sign the oath of Office and then swear
or whether he should swear in first
and sign afterwards. At 1892 O'Clock
| Secretary Root ceased the converse
! ton with the president and stepping
back while absolute hush fell upon
every one in the room SAID in almost
inaudible voice:
| "Mr. Vice President, L" Then his
| tears came down his face and hi
| lips quivered so that he could not con
| tinue his utterances. There were
sympathetic tears from those about
him and two great drops ran down
either cheek of the successor OF Will
liam Mckinley. Mr.. Roots chin was
on his breast. Suddenly throwing
back his head as if with an effort, he
continued in a 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 rea
sons of weight affecting the affairs OF
the government you should proceed to
take the constitutional oath of presi-
dent of the United States"
| Judge Hazel had stepped to the rear
OF the president, and Mr.. Roosevelt
coming closer to Secretary Root, said
in a voice that at first wavered, but
finally came deep and strong, while as
! if to control his nervousness he held
/ firmly to the lapel of his coat with his
right hand:
Il shall take the oath at once in &C
| Cordance with your request and in this
hour of deep and terrible national be
reavement | wish to state it shall be
| my aim to continue absolutely the
policy of President Mckinley for the
peace and prosperity and honor of our
beloved country"
The president stepped farther into
the bay window and Judge Hazel, TAX
ing up the constitutional oath of Of
fee which had been prepared on
parchment, asked the president to
raise his right hand and repeat it after
him. There was a hush like death in
thereon as the judge read few words
at time and the president in strong
voice and without tremor and with
his raised hand as steady as if carved
from marble repeated after him: "And
thus | swear" he ended it. His hand
dropped by his side, his chin for an in
slant rested on his breast and the
silence remained unbroken for
president of the United states was
offering silent prayer Judge Hazel
broke it, saying
"Mr. President, please attach your
signature and the president turning
to a small table near by, wrote "The-
odore Roosevelt" at the bottom of
the document, in a firm hand.
Il should like to see the members of
the cabinet few moments after the
others retire" said the president; and
this was the signal for the score of
people who had been favored by wit
Messing the ceremony to retire. As
they turned to go, the president said:
81 will shake hands with you people
gladly" and with something Of his
old smile returning he first sho ok |
hands with the members Of the cabi- |
net present, then Senator Depew and |
finally with the few guests and news |
paper men. Immediately following |
the dispensing Of the spectators after
taking the oath, the president asked |
the cabinet members to confer with
him. The conference lasted nearly /
two hours and when finished, the
president said to the Associated
Press:
Following out the brief statement
[ made when taking the oath that ]
would follow the administration lin IS
aid down by President Mckinley. ]
the members of the cabinet
who were present to remain in their
positions at least for the present.