The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-09-17
ROOSEVELT Takes OATH
Sworn In as President at Buffalo Satur-
day Afternoon The Cabinet Officers
Retain Their Plaoes-Tho New Exec
utivs Announces That He Will Con
tinue the Policy Of BIS Predecessor

Vice President Roosevelt nj the time Of
the Presidents death was hunting in the
Adirondack Mountains He was found
about - miles from the railroad Re
lays Of horses were provided and when
he reached the railroad u special train
took him rapidly 10 Buffalo, where at
$3.50 Saturday afternoon hc took the
oath Of office at the home oi Mr. Wilcox,
personal friend, in the presence Of the
Cabinet, and became the President OF the
United States
He had gone first 10 the house oi
mourning to offer his coincidence and
sympathy To the brokcn-hcartcd widow.
President Roosevelt left the Mllhurn
house at , 81 and drove To the Wilcox
home reaching there at 3.lj. \ ten
minutes wait for the members of the
Cabinet cnsued, and preparations were
made for taking the oath of office
The place selected was the library of
Mr. Wilcox X house. arHther small room.
hut picturesque, the heavy oak trim
mings and the massive book eases giving
il somewhat the appearance of legal
den 4 pretty bay window with stained
glass and heavy hangings formed back
ground and against this the President
took his position.
Surrounding him. were the five mem
bers OF the Cabinet. Secretaries Root
Hitchcock. Long. Wilson and Postmas.
ter. General smith Near by were: Sena-
tor Chauncey w. Depew. Judge Of the
Court of Appeals Ilaight, MIR aud Mrs
John G.. Milburn. Secretary To the Iresi-
dent. William Loeb. Ir.. Secretary 10 the
deceased President. George b Cortclyou.
Iudge'of the nitcd States District Court.
John r. Hazel and others
At 3:3O o'clock Secretary Root said ia
an almost inaudible voice.
Mr.. Vice President. T. then bis
voice broke. and Tor fully two minutes
the tears came down his face and his lips
quivercd There were sympathetic tears
from those about him and two great
drops ran down either cheek OF the sue.
cessor of William Mckinley Mr. Roots
chin was on his breast. Suddenly throw.
ing back his head, with am effort, he con
tinued 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 cX-
cept two. To request that for rca. uus of
weight affecting the affairs O! go, rn
mcnt. you should proceed to take the
Constitutional oath Of President of the
United States.
Mr.. Roosevelt said in "a voice that at
first wavered. but finally came deep and
strong:
IL shall take the oath at once IN ac-
cordance with your request and in this
hour OF deep and terrible national be-.
rcavcment ! wish 10 state that it shall
be my aim To continue absolutely I'M
broken 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. taking up
the Constitutional oath of office. which
had been prepared ON parchment. asked
the President 10 raise his right hand and
repeat it after him.
There was hush like death in the
room as the Judge read a few words alta
time. and Che President in strong voice
without tremOr and with raised hand
repeated it after him.
Mr. President please attach your
signature. said Judge Hazel and the
President. turning 10 small table near
by. wrote Theodore Roosevelt mt the
bottom Of the document in a firm hand
II should like 10 see the members OF the
Cabinet a few moments after the Others
retire. said the President. and this was
a signal for the score OF people who had
been favored by witnessing the ceremony
To retire
His first act was 10 ask the members
Of the Cabinet to retain their portfolios
in order to aid him To conduct the gov
eminent on lines laid down 10y him whose
policy he had declared he would uphold
Such an appeal was not to Doe resisted
and every member of the Cabinet, includ-
ing Secretary OfState Hay and Secretary
Of the Treasury Gage. who were COM
municated with in Washington. agreed
for the present. at least. To retain their
several portfolios.
The only announcement the President
had to make was that George b. Corte-
lyou. the secretary of President Mckinley.
would for the present act IN that capaci-
ty for him. because Of his knowledge Of
the condition of affairs.
Senator Hanna placed himself at the
disposal of the President who thanked
him cordially and told him that he should
never hesitate to ask him for his advice
and assistance il ever he should be- in need
OF it