Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-09-20
THE DEAD PRESIDENT AND THE NEW PRESIDENT

the Attn Signal Corps formed about
him and conducted him to an auto
mobile which his friend, Mr.. Wilcox,
had in waiting. The demonstration
which greeted his appearance was in
keeping with the solemnity of the oc-
casion, the people showing their re-
spect by simply lifting their hats.
Twenty mounted policemen accom-
panied the automobile on it's run to
the Wilcox residence
President Roosevelt declined to
make any statement whatever for pub
LEGATION. 81 was so shocked" said he,
"by the terrible news brought to me
last night, and by the calamity which
it entailed upon the country, as well
as by personal sorrow which | feel,
that | have had no time to think of
plans for the future conduct of the
Office which has been so suddenly and
sadly thrust upon me-"
At 2.30 o'clock Col. Roosevelt went
to the Milburn house to make his
official call of coincidence. He was
escorted by a detail of the 4th Signal
Corps and mounted police. On his
return to Mr.. WilcOX's house prepare
lions were made at once for taking the
oath of Office At precisely 3.S2
o'clock Secretary Root ceased his con-
versation with the President, and step
ping back, while an absolute hush
fell upon every one in the room, 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 uttteranCes. There were SYM
pathetic tears from those about him
| and two great drops ran down either
cheek of the successor of William Nc
| Kinley. Mr.. Roots chin was on his
| breast. Suddenly throwing back his
| head as if with an effort, he continued
with a broken voice: 81 have been re-
| quested 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 government
you should proceed to take the CON
stitutional oath of office of President
of the United States"
Judge Hazen 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, 81 shall
| take the oath at once in accordance
with your request" and he then added
the words previously given in regard
| to continuing the policy of President
| Mckinley. Judge Hazen then admins
! tered the constitutional oath of office,
and Col. Roosevelt, in a strong voice
without a tremor and with his raised
hand'as steady as if carved from mar
bic. repeated it after him, as follows:
II do solemnly swear that | will faith
| fully execute the Office of Presi
dent of the United States and will to
the best of my ability preserve, pro-
tect and defend the constitution of the
United States"
And thus | swear" he ended 1t.
The hand dropped by the side, the
chin for an istant rested on the breast
and the silence remained unbroken
for a couple of minutes, as though the
new president of the United States
was offering silent prayer. Judge
Hazel broke it, saying: Mr.. Presi-
dent, please attach your signature -
and the President, turning to a small
! table near by, wrote Theodore
Roosevelt" at the bottom of the docu-
ment in firm hand.
After taking the oath the new Pres
ident asked for a consultation with the
| members of the cabinet The session
lasted about two hours, and at its
close the President announced that
the members of the cabinet had coo.
scented to remain in their positions at
least for the present, and that Con.
gress would not be convened in aX
traordinary session.