Newport weekly independent., 1902-05-23
King Alfonso, Having Attained His Majority, Sixteen Years, Be-
 comes King in Fact.
OFFICIAL CATH ADMINISTERED TO HIM.
The Procession to the Chamber of Deputies n Spectacle of Medieval Magnifcence and GiitterinE Spien- dor-A Salute Announced the Fact to the POpu1Rce.


 | ed by the constitution.
 Beautiful weather favored this, the central day of the fetes. At an ear l ly hour all the bands of music of the troops composing the garrison marched through the principal streets, playing lively marches, to the royal palace, where they performed | beneath the windows of the kings apartments.
 The royal procession was formed on the Plaza de Armas, in front of the palace, shortly before ? p. m., | and proceeded to the chamber of | deputies, where, in the presence of | the senators and deputies, the king took the oath to uphold the constitu- | tion.
 The procession was a spectacle of medieval magniticence. Eight grooms | on horseback opened the march. l They were followed by four buglers and cymbal players from the royal stables, whose horses were led by groOmS on foot
 The officers of the kings military | household and three squadrons of the royal bodyguard closed the parade. The procession which emerged from the courtyard of the palace amid the booming of cannon, pro- ceeded, at walking pace, through | the streets, gay with flags and bunt- # greens, which, at some parts of the | route, formed veritable vaults of | foliage and flowers, to the chamber of deputies, before the steps of which had been erected purple canopy.
 A delegation, consisting of 12 sena- tors and 12 deputies, received their majesty at the steps, and preceded by the mace bearers, they were con- ducted through the ante-chambers, | filled with courtiers and others, who were unable to find accommodation in the chamber itself. The king, queen regent and the prince and prin- cess of the Asturias ascended plat form, specially constructed, facing the semi-circular, gilded hall, around l their capacity by senators, deputies. courtiers and ministers. The forei gn | princes and other special envoys were seated immediately to the right of the platform, which was draped ill red. Four gilded arm-chairs were placed in front of the platform be- meath red canopy. The king and l | T gether, took the center seats, and the prince and princess of the Astur- ias seated themselves in the others.
 On the left of the king stood a table on which was a Bible, with a silver crucifX behind it. On the other side of his majesty was stool upon which was a golden crown, blazing with jewels, and a sceptre.
 As the royal party entered the hall everyone present rose and remained standing until the queen regent pro- nounced the words Be seated" | The president of the chamber, Sen- or Veg Armijo, who approached the table on which the Bible rested, then said, amid impressive silence: "Senor. the cortes, convoked by your august mother are assembled to receive from your ma jesty the oath, which in accordance with the constitution, you come to take, to maintain the constitution and laws"
 | Senor Armi 50 then drew near to the king and held out the Bible, at the same time keeping open a book con- talning the formula of the oath. His majesty, placing his right hand on the Bible, then uttered the following words:
 Il swear, by God, upon the Holy Bible, to maintain the constitution and laws. If so 1 do may God reward account"
 The queen regent, the royal party and all others present listened to the foregoing, standing. King Alfonso then again seated himself on the throne and the others also reseated themselves.
 The president of the chamber re- turned to the table and the premier, addressing the king, said: "rhe cortes have received the oath your majesty has taken to maintain the | constitution and laws"
 At the same moment the booming l of 2l guns was heard, announcing to the city Shat the king had taken the | oath.