The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1901-09-20

DuHhiOs sept ~ utDdufe GDO~e-
welt, who was tragieaIly elevated to
the chief magistraey Of the American re-
public by the death Of President Mekin-
ley, entered this city of mourning
after a remarkable and perilous jour
ney from the heart of the north
woods. He had been president under the
constitution and law Of the Land since
the niarfyred president ceased to live. All
the duties and powers Of the office had
desolved upon him, but he was powefiess
as the haHblest citizen TO exercise one Of
them until he had complied with the con-
situiion and laws Of the United States.
He took the oath at o'clock in the aft
ernoon In the library Of the residence of
Ansley Wilcox, personal friend, with
whom be stopped earlier in the week
when the physicians thought President
Mckinley would recover from the wound
inflicted by the assassin
There were present when he swore to
the oath: Secretaries Root. Hitchcock.
Long. Wilson and Postmaster General
Smith. Senator c. 81 D~pew Of New York,
Judge Of the Court of Appeals Haight,
John \. Scattered. Mr. and Airs. Ansley
Wilcox, Miss Wilcox. George p. Sawyer.
Dss. Mann, Park and Stockton, Mr. and
Mrs Carleton Sprsgue Mr.. and Mrs John /
c. Milburn, the secretary to the president,
William Loeb, Jr.; the secretary to the
Decreased president. g. .. corteIyou: Mr..
and Mrs. Charles Carey. C. r. Scattered.
]. d. kawyer and William Jcffers, official
~legrspher. in addition 10 Judge j. r. /
Hazel Of the United States district court,
4 ho administered the oath
The scene MAS a most affecting one
The new president had just come from the
Iiilhurn house. where his predecessor lay
old In death. Overcome by the deep per-
onal sorrow he felt in his characteristic.
ally impulsive way, he had gone first TO
he house Of mourning to offer his con-
oiencr and sympathy TO the broken
earted widow. Secretary Root, who 20
cars ago had been present at similar
ccne when Arthur took the oath after ,
be death Of another president who fell
victim to an asssssin's bullet. almost
roke down when he requested Mr.. Roose-
cit. on behalf of the members Of the cab |
yet Of the late president. to take the pre- I
ribbed oath. There was not a dry eye '
the room. The new president was visi. Q
ly shaken. but he controlled himself, ]
ID when he lifted his hand TO swear 1t
AZ a. steady as though carved in mar
e. With the decp solemnity Of the oc-
sion he announced to those present that
: aim would be to be William Aicnin-
Us successor in decd ~ well as in name. :
Deliberately he proclaimed II in these
,rds: I'm this hour Of deep and terrible = !.
tional bereavement l wish to state that y
shall BE- my aim to continue absolutely
thcut variance the policy Of President a.
,KinIcy for the peace and prosperity !"
a honor Of our beloved country" q
The far reaching significance of this q
.dgc to continue the policy of the dead ~
ssident announced at the very thresh- P'
ID of new governmental regime pro-
Indly impressed his hearers and Presi- pr
Il Roo~evclt's first step after taking nc
oath was in line with its redemption. nc
first act was to ask the members Of M
cabinet to retain their portfolios in tic
cr to aid him TO conduct the govern vi
ut on lines laid down by him whose ma
ICY he had declared he would uphold. It
h an appeal was not to be resisted and Ar
nv member of the cabinet, including FOL
rotary Of State Hay and Secretary Of ide
Treasury Gage, who were communi- ro'
"a with in Washington. has agreed car
the present at least TO retain their inc
raj portfol;os. col