The age-herald., 1902-05-18
K|NC ALFONSO
 TAXES THE OATH Mailman Caused Great Alarm by Rushing to Carriage ON MATRIMONIAL MISSION Wanted to Marry lnfanta Maria Teresa and Asked the Kings Permission.
 Beautiful Weather Favored
 the Coronation Day.
ON MATRIMONIAL MISSION

Madrid, May 17-The splendid cere- | monies in connection with the attaining of his majority by King Alfonso today were attended by an incident which while insignificant in itself for the moment, created considerable excitement among those who witnessed it. and in the Cham- Der of Deputies, where the story first arrived in the form of a rumor that an attempt had been made to assassinate the King. This report, however was soon contradicted by the speaker, Senor Ar milo. Just as the royal coach emerged from the Plaza de Armos, opposite the square in front of the palace, amid the sound of cannon, a young man among the sightseers behind the cordon sud- denly pushed through the ranks of sol diers and police and rushed toward the door of the chariot with his hat in one hand and holding outstretched in the other a paper. Before he reached the door the state lackeys hurried to the scene and quickly overpowered him. The prisoner was taken to the guard room of the palace. The letter he had in his hand proved to be an address to the King, stating that the 1nranta Maria Teresa, who was with the King in the royal coach, had promised him her hand. and begging the King as the brother of the Infanta, to accede to the marriage. The prisoner was carefully searched, and it was found that he carried no weapon. His remarks regarding the Infanta Maria Teresa left no doubt as to his mental condition.
 -le royal party reached the chamber of deputies few minutes later and the king, ascending tho throne, was greeted with tremendofs ovation which he smilingly acknowledged.
 The rumor of the attempt on the king s life spread to the crowds in the street and when the royal party was leaving the chamber the popular greetings were much more enthusiastic than they had been before.
 King Alfonso's first proclamation, is- sued tonight Is addressed to the nation. After saying that lessons of experience are awaiting him, his majesty expresses the hope that he will receive from the people the inspiration which will supply what time has not yet taught him. King 16 Years Old. King Alfonso attained his majority to- day and became king in fact as well as in name, having reached the age, 16, pre- scribed by the constitution
 Beautiful weather favored this the central day of the fetes. At an early hour all the bands of music composing the garrison marched through the principal streets playing lively marches to the royal palace. where they peri rmed bo- meath the windows of the kings apar = m ents.
 Thb royal procession was formed on the Plaza De Armas, in front of the palace, shortly before 2 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 constitution.
 Spectacle of Magnificence.
 The profession was :. a spectacle of medieval magnificence. Great grooms on horseback opened the march. They were followed by four buglers and cimbal players from the royal stables whose horses were led by grooms on foot; four mace bearers on four horses with Orient al trappings led by hand; two of the 
 Regents riding horses, ready saddled, led by grooms, and six other royal horses GOV cred with handsome velvet cloths of red, blue, green and yellow, embroidered ar moral bearings in gold and silver.
 Then came twelve of the principal out riders, who directly preceded d line of quaint, historical coaches emblazoned with armorial bearings and embellished with massive gilt ornamentation The hriIl a,,f Louis XVI. lveries and the trappings of the horses were of the most gorgeous de- scription.
 In the chamber of deputies the scene was impressive. On the left of the King stood a table on which was Bible with silver cruci1x behind it. On the other side of his majesty was a stool upon which was a golden crown, blazing with jewels and a scepter
 As the royal party entered the hall, everyone present arose and remained standing until the Queen Regent pro nounced the words, Be seated" Took the Oath. The president of the Chamber Senor Vaga Armijo, who approached the table on which the Bible rested, then said amid impressive silence: "Senor the Cortes' convoked by your august mother, are as-
  oath which, in accordance with .le con- stitution you come to take to maintain the constitution and laws.
 Senor Armito then drew near to the King and held out the Bible, at the same time keeping open a book containing the formula of the oath. His majesty, plac- ing his right hand on the Bible, then ut tered the following words: T swT by God, upon the whole Bible, to maintain the constitution and laws If l so do, may God reward me; if do not, may he call me to account"
 The Queen Regent, the royal party and all others present listened to the fore going standing. King Alfonso then again seated himself on the throne and the others also reseated themselves. . The president of the chamber returned to the table and from there addressing the King. said:
 The Cortes have received the oath your majesty has taken to maintain the constitution and laws"