The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-01-18
THE INAUGURAL CEREMONIES
Fine Weather and an Immense Crowd.
The Stand Beautifully Decorated.
Enthusiastic Greeting to the Gov.
ernor-Elect-Strfct Attention Paid to
His Address, and Words Of High
Praise-The Exercises Close with a
Review OF the Troops.
Especial to the Messenger.)

William P. Roberts said isn't Ay-
cock in luck"
There was a rush of visitors to the
inauguration, which began with the
earlist hours of the morning. On rains
and in all kinds of vehicles the came
in, from towns and country All were
happy n in smiles, the democrats be-
cause The king had come to his own
again. and the republicans appeared
to be by no means depressed at the
change of administration and the end
of the Russell regime.
Governor Russell vacated the execu-
tive mansion yesterday afternoon and
spent the night as the guest of Clerk
Riddick, the clerk of the United States
circuit court. He did not look today
as if he were sorrowful at relinquish-
ing the cares of the executive chair.
The exercises of the day were held
at the east portico of the capitol. The
stand built out from the massive por-
tico, was draped with flags, an i'm
mense national flag in the center, with
state flags at either end, while on
each side of the speakers were dis
played the headquarters flags of the
governor, silken banners, the national
color, on the right, the state IN the
left. From the apex of the lofty porti-
CO there swept far down to the cor
nerS of the stand broad bands of red,
white and blue, While from the flag
staff on the roof were displayed the
equally brilliant red, white and blue
of the states flag, this state being one
of the two or three in the union TO
ave a special flag. In the glory of the
sunshine. under a sky of tenderest blue
all the brightness of cOloring was
brought out.
Seats for a thrusand persons had
been placed on the ground in front Of
the speakers stand, filling out all the
space between it and the statue or
Vance. Three hundred of these seats
were specially reserved for the legis-
lature and members of their families.
a very handsome carriage, drawn by
four white horses, was assigned for
use by Governor AycOck today
In all respects the Inauguration GER
emonies were model. Governor Ay-
cock arrived at the railway station at
1920 o'clock and was heartily cheered.
He was quickly driven to the execu-
tive mansion under escort.
1t was 1890 o'clock when he made
his appearance at the capitol square,
under escort of the two Goldsboro COM
panies. In the carriage with him were
Governor Russell and Chairman Fran
els D. Winston, of the legislative COM
mittee and Chairman ]. E. Pogue, of
the citizens committee.
In the other carriages were all the
outgoing and incoming officials, SINH
larry escorted.
THE INAUGURATION CEREMONIES
The two governors assembled the stand
preceded by Adjutant General Roy
ster, while the band played Dixie and
there was great cheering.
The Die and the new officials took
their seats side by side, to the left OF
the governors, in their order of preced-
ence. The latter sat in large chairs.
Chairman Winston master OF cere-
monies.
Chaplain A. A. Marshall, of the First
Baptist church, of Raleigh, and AS
sociate Justice Walter Clark had seats
in front. There were two score of 9TH
er prominent men on the platform. in
Guiding al the members of the electoral
college.
Chairman Winston, addressing the
legislators who sat on benches in the
grounds in front of the platform said:
Gentlemen of the General Assembly,
Ladies and Fellow Citizens:
The Inauguration of the tw~enty-third
elected governor of North Carolina will
be open with prayer by Rev. A. A.
MARSHALL.
The chaplain'S ray was fervent
and in forceful words. He prayed that
Governor Aycock might rise above the
party n be governor of all the people,
and that the m of Vance, whose
bronze image stood near, might nerve
and inspire him.
Chairman Winston then called on
Corporation Commissioners MCNEIL and
Rogers to come forward and he pre-
scented them to the legislature saying:
II have the honor of presenting two
members of the corporation commits
sion who will o take the oaths of
Office.
This form he followed in all the 9TH
er cases. 1t only required about a min
ute to swear in the head of each de-
pxrtment. AS each rose to be sworn in
the retiring officer rose and stood DUR
ing the m
At 12:45 o'clock the troops made their
appearance. having been massed at
the south of the capitol on Fayetteville
street, and took their position on VIII
mington street, facing the speakers
stand.
Labor Commissioner Warner was sec
ond to be sworn in. Then came, in
succession. Commissioner of Agricul-
ture Patterson, Attorney General Gill
mer, Superintendent of Public IN
struction Toon. Auditor Dixon, Treas
urer Lacy applause as he rose), Sec
rotary of State Grimes (applause.)
Lieutenant Governor Turner zap
plause).
Governor Russell and Governor Ay-
cock then rose and the former said:
Il present for qualification, according
to the constitution and law, the gov
ernor-elect of this commonwealth"
AYCOCK DELIVERS HIS ADDRESS.
There was a great outburst of APP
plause as Aycock stepped forward and
began his speech at 1855 o'clock.
Three cheers for Aycock' was the
cry and they were given with a will.
Aycock looked the picture of health
- ITs- 1865 49,
tune. Six thousand people were in
sound of it. Neve was closer atten-
ton paid TO speech by legislators, peo-
pie on the stand and the general pub
lie. Governor Russell did not miss a
word of it. He nodded his head when
Avc0oL said his ounn0nufC wpro ipoa