Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-09-19
VICE PRESIDENT TAKES THE
OATH IN EXPOSITION CITY.
SCENE WAS A PATHETIC ONE.
President Roosevelt Announces That
He Will Follow Lines Laid
Down by Deceased.

PuffalO Sept. 14.-PresldenL HOoSe-
relt came to the house OF Ansley
met arrived, preparations were be-
Ing made for the taking OF the cath
If office. The place selected was the
library. a rather small room. but
picturesque and a pretty bay window
with stained glass and heavy hangings
formed the back ground, and against
this the president took his position.
Surrounding him were five members
of the cabinet, Root. Hitchcock, Long,
Wilson and Postmaster-General Smith.
Nearby were Senator Chauncey M.
Depew. Judge of the Court of Appeals
Haight, John Seathord, Mr.. and Mrs.
Ansly Wilcox, George P. Sawyer Doc
tors Mann, Park, Stockton, Mr.. and
Mrs. Carleton Spragus, Mr.. and Mrs.
John NJ Milburn, secretary to the
president, William Loeb, Jr.. secretary
TO the deceased president, George B.
Cortelyou, Dr. Mrs. Charles Carey, r.
C. Seathard. ]. d. Sawyer, William
Jeffries, the official telegrapher of the
United States senate, and Judge OF
the United States District Court John
r. Hazel.
Judge Hazel stood near the presi-
dent in the bay window, and the lat
ter displayed extreme nervousness
Asked to Take the Oath.
Mr.. Roots chin was on his breast.
Suddenly throwing his head back as
IL with an effort, he continued in a
broken voice:
II have been requested on behalf OF
the cabinet of the late president, at
least those who are present In Buffalo,
all except two, to request for reasons
of weight affecting the affairs of the
government that you should proceed
to take the constitutional oath as pres
ident of the United States"
Judge HAZEL had stepped to the
rear and Mr. Roosevelt, coming
closer to Secretary Root. said In a
voice that at first wavered, but finally
came deep and strong. while as II to
control his nervousness he held firm
ly to the lapels OF his coat with his
right hand:
Judge Il shall take the oath in &C.
cordance with the request, and in this
hour of deep and terrible national
bereavement l wish to state that 1t
shall be my aim to continue absolutely
the policy of President Mckinley for
the peace and prosperity and honor
of our beloved country"
Roosevelt Sworn In.
The president stepped farther into
the bay window, and Judge Hazel, TAX
ing up the constitutional oath of Office
which had been prepared on parch-
ment, asked the president 10 raise his
right hand and repeat it after him.
There was hush like death in the
room as the judge read the few words
of the statute, and the president in a
strong voice and without a tremor,
and with his raised hand as steady as
II carved from marble, repeated 1t
after him.
He stepped to Secretary Root, and
they discussed the question whether
the president should first sign the
path Of office, and then be sworn in or
whether he should swear in first and
tign after.
At 1892 o'clock Secretary Root
teased conversation with the presi-
tent and, stepping back, while an
absolute hush fell upon the room,
said in almost inaudible voice
Mr.. Vice President, Ibis voice
broke and for fully two minutes tears
came down his face, and his lips
luivered SO he could not continue his
stterances. There were sympathetic
ears from those about him, and two
great drops ran down either cheek Of
NE successor of William Mckinley.
Signature Attached.
And thus | swear. he ended it. His
land dropped by his side, his chin for
IN instant rested on his breast, and
ne silence remained unbroken for a
couple of minutes as though the new
PRESIDENT of the United States was of
'erng silent proyer Judge Hazel
Jroke 1t, saying: Mr.. President.
please attach your signature. and the
president, turning to small table
Lear by wrote, Theodore Roosevelt"
u the bottom of the document in a
lrm hand
! should like to see the members
" the cabinet for few moments af-
Ter the others have retired" said the
resident, and this was the signal for
me score of people who had been ia
,ored by witnessing the ceremony to
'-tire.
as they turned to go the president
'aa. Il will shake hands with you
lEup.e gladly and with something
ms old smilt returning he first
'-ooh hands with the members Of the
I'd met present. then Senator Depew.
M hnally with the few guests and
"spaper men present.
Old Cabinet Remains.
Immediately following the disap.
+aIance Of the spectators, after TAX.
"- me oath. the president asked the
tuner members to confer with him.
.-Hh the conference was finished the
t.'s.Aent said to an Associate Press
''l.esentatiye:
F3Aowing out the brief statement
"@te when taking the oath that |
"- follow the administrative lines
AoWn by President Mckinley. |
N's'ed the members OF the cabinet
We're present 10 remain in their
.a2ns, at least for time. and they
assured me that they will. and |
- say | have the assurance also
.- lhe absent members"