Mower County transcript., 1901-03-06
|THE INAUGURATION
IPRESlDENT M'kINLEY TAKES THE
OATH OF OFFICE TO sue.
CEED HIMSELF.

Ceremony Marred by Rain, but 100000
; People Crowd Themselves Into the
Space Around tn. Capitol and View
! the Proceedings-Vic Presidents
Induction Into Office Occurs Previ.
; ously in the Senate Chamber.
Washington, March 4-President
Mckinley, at III p. NJ, was sworn
in to succeed himself as chief magis-
trate on handsomely decorated
stand at the east front of the Capitol
In the presence of a surging multitude.
From early in the day the whole city
had emptied it's throngs into this vast
central plaza until by noon it was a
billowing expanse of humanity, cut
here and there by narrow defiles fol
the uniformed marchers. Massed
half way back were the mounted Of
ficers of the military escort and stan,
in their brilliant uniforms Of the
cavalry, artillery and infantry. on
to the left, fronting the senate, Troop
A, the presidents crack organization,
sat motionless on their black charg-
ers. Fronting the house wing was the
silk-hatted and be-sashed citizens
committee, their horses champing and
restless amid the pushing thousands.
Back of the glittering front of mar
shals, generals, aides, with their wav-
ing plumes and banners, surged the
countless multitude, estimated at 49,
900 people. s' ;,...4
Just before o'clock a drizzling
sleet with hail began to fall, and
over the sea of heads went up count
less umbrellas. The sky turned from
gray to black and the signs looked
ominous. But the crowd held it's
ground unmindful of the lowering
sky and slanting hail.
It was just 1 o'clock when the off,
cial party came through the main door
way of the Capitol. All eyes were
strained toward the distinguished
groups as they apeared.* Usually the
president comes among the first, but
on this occasion there was an entire
change and instead of having the
president wait until all the officials
were in place, the presidential party
did not appear until all the invited
guests had assembled and everything
was in readiness to administer the
oath.
Through the lines Of senators and
officials, all standing to do him honor,
the president proceeded to the cen
trail pavilion, going forward to the
railing and facing the vast assem-
blage at close range, again and again
bowing his Acknowledgements to the
tremendous cheers from 10000 throats.
Then he turned and shook hands with
Vice President Roosevelt, while an
other great cheer went up as the two
central figures, Mckinley and Roose-
welt, stood out above the crowd
Now again deep hush fell upon
the assemblage as the president and
the chief justice advanced to the CEN
ter of pavilion. The president re-
moved his hat and then he raised his
right hand. In the intense stiffness,
family could be heard the solemn
words of the chief justice and the
measured response Of the president,
taking the oath to maintain inviolate
the constitution and laws of the Unit
ed States. He spoke in: a strong
voice, easily heard by those near the
front of the stand. His face looked
very grave as the oath was pro-
nounced. There was no demonstration
as he concluded the oath and began
his inaugural address, following
which luncheon was served in the
room of the senate committee on mil
itary affairs. The return to the White
House was along the same route as
the morning parade. T..