The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-03-08

tclt, VI view Iofh- lOudy was lEQuCIeu
in to the office OF vice president of the
United States. The solemn oath was
administered by Senator William p.
Frye, Of Maine, president pro tempore
of the United States senate. The Ger
emony was thoroughly democratic,
yet in its very simplicity, profoundly
impressive.
in its white and gold beauty, was with
out decorations of any kind.
Up in the galleries were many per-
SON Of note. including diplomats
The wives of the British ambassador.
the Chinese minister and the japanese
minister, much attention
Mrs. Mckinley closely watched the
proceedings, and Mrs. Roosevelt was
there, With her children and friends
and the new vice president as he con-
cluded his oath proudly glanced up
ward to her.
At 1890 o'clock a. IN. the vice presi-
dent-elect arrived at the capitol. He
was accompanied by Senator Spooner
and Representatives Dalzell and Nc
Rae. He went directly to the vice
presidents room and was soon Joined
by Senator Eyre, the president pro
tenn. of the senate.
Shortly before 11:30 o'clock Mrs. Nc
Kinley. escorted by Major General Cor
bin, adjutant general of the army, en-
tered the executive gallery. She was
accompanied by the members of her
house party, mostly relatives.
The senators were seated in front
and to the left of the president pro
tempore. Supporting the senate as
host were executive and judicial Off
GERS, including members of the cabi-
net and house Of representatives and
the chief justice and associate justices
of the supreme court of the United
states.
On the oposite-the democratic side
of the chamber the guests were seat
ed.
h entrance of the various distin-
guished bodies was formally nou
ed by the door-keepers. FIRST came
the members of the house and MEM
bers-elect and later the diplomatic
corps, headed by it's dean, Lord
Pauncefote. They were all in the
splendid uniforms Of the diplomatic
rank. The supreme court justices were
in their robes of heavy black silk.
Then, precisely at noon the presi-
dent-elect was announced. He was ac-
companied by the congressional COM
mittee of escort. He approached his
seat in dignified mein. Meantime the
cabinet, accompanied by Secretary
Cortelyou, had entered and had been
seated on the left of the ambassadors.
Then came Admiral Dewey and Lieu
tenant General Miles and aides in full
uniform.
Amid deafening applause the presi-
dent of the United States-"the presi-
dent-elect' was announced. Just in
advance of Senators Hanna and Jones
and Representative annon the escort
committee, the president seated him.
self in the historic red leather chair
in front of the secretary's desk, faced
the assemblage and smilingiy bowed
to Mrs. Mckinley who watched him
from the gallery.
The oath of office was then admins
tered to Vice President Roosevelt, by
Mr.. Frye. Mr.. Roosevelt directed the
reading of the proclamation calling a
special session of the Senate and call
ed the new senate to order. There was
prayer by Chaplain Milburn, after
which the vice president delivered his
inaugural address.
The proclamation Of the president
calling the senate into extraordinary
session then was read by the clerk un-
der the first official order of the new
vice president.
He then directed the names of the
new senators to be called and the oaths
were administered 10 them in groups
of four.
This ceremony concluded, Vice Pres
loSliS iNoooS NliC z q
alarms to execute the orders of the
inaugural ceremony.
Colonel Ransdell then conducted
President Mckinley, who followed the
Sergeant-at-armS on the arm of Chief
Justice Fuller to the presidents room,
where with the inaugural committee
he remained in readiness to proceed
to his own inaugural ceremonies,
THE PARADE.
Never has an inaugural parade in
Washington passed off with as little
friction and with the general pictures
que effect a accompanied the great
pageant that served as President Nc
Klnley and Vice President RooSevelt'S
escort to the White house after they
had taken the oath of office under the
shadow of the capitol. The police ar
engagements throughout were excep>
tionally effective. The troops, were
able to march in extended formation.
The start was made from the c2pitol,
about 2:15 o'clock n the last of the
civic organizations had passed the re-
viewing stand at the White house a
little before 6 o'clock. Considering
the weather conditions the parade in
point of numbers closely approximate
ly the official forecast.
In point of beauty, the military dis
play PROBABLY never has been exceeded
- NOi- IL iSooAoA ~
gent CT cavalry, infantry and artillery
were uniformed as though for the
most exacting official inspection. The
same could be said with equal empha-
sis of the naval contingent. The ma
rines, and the Jackies, were especially
well received by the crowds. The
youthful cadet corps Of West Point
n Annapolis, in the severe simplici-
ty of their uniforms, quick snappy ac-
ton and m~achine-like accuracy with
which they performed evolutions, were
a body quite apart and distinctive
from all the others. The naval cadets
band created much comment as per-
haps the best musical organization in
the procession.
One of the unique features of the
military display was a battalion of the
Porto Rico regiment recently organized
in our island possession and recruited
from amo the native population.
Their welcome was of the warmest.
The civic division consisted of clubs
from all sections of the country, many
OF them unique in their uniforms and
regalias.
THE TNATrCJTpA T Rail-