The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1902-01-24
THE INAUGURAL CEREMONIES.
Fine Display of States Militia
Other Occasions of Similar Nature.

colors in silk and bunting gave the
State House decidedly patriotic ap-
pearance, for the inaugural ceremon-
les which occurred on Tuesday and il
seemed especially fitting that in the
corridors and dome, the battle flags
of the New Jersey regiments should
be illuminated by the colors under
which the brave boys fought. The
ceremony itself was simple, and yet
very impressive.
There has not been such display
of the militia of the State since Gen.
Mcclellan was inaugurated, when
soldiers from New York, Pennsyl-
vania, and the home state participated.
owing to the fact that Gen. MoClel-
lan's military standing was of high
order. Gov. Murphy was the first to
have the entire national guard of the
State take part in the inaugural cere-
monies. Gen. Wamser of Jersey City
rode at the head Of the procession,
which for so many years has been &C.
cupied by Gen. Sewell, the leader OF
the New Jersey militia. The oath of
Office was administered by Chief JUS
tice Gummere in Taylor's Opera
House, as has been the custom for
sometime past.
| : The inaugural program was strict
ly followed at the Opera House where
proceedings were opened with prayer
by Rev. Henry r. Robinson, pastor
of the First Methodist Episcopal
Church, of Trenton, after which the
oath of Office was administered to the
Governor elect by Chief Justice Gum
mere. Following this salute of
II guns was fred from the grounds
in the rear of the capitol. Gov.
Voorhees, in a happy speech of short
duration delivered to Mr.. Murphy the
great seal of state and introduced
him os the Governor Of New Jersey
to Mr.. Francis, president of the
Senate, who in return introduced
Gov. Murphy to the members of the
Senate and General Assembly, the
members of the two bodies having
risen in their places. Gov. Murphy
then read his inaugural address which
the Chronicle gladly publishes in full.
The benediction was pronounced by
Rev. Q. J. Conklin, of Trenton,
closing this portion of the exercises.
Following this, Gov. Murphy, ex-
Gov. Voorhees,. the Inaugural Com
mittee, and other guests dined at the
Trenton House, when the party was
driven to the capitol, where seated in
the grand stand, which had peen
erected in front of that building, they
witnessed the inaugural procession.
Later reception was held in the ex-
ecutive chamber; the governor also
received in the public reception room
from 7. 80 until 10.
A peculiar feature about the cere-
monies was that Notwithstanding the
heavy skies everybody seemed to be
good natured and irrespective of party,
cheerfully joined in the spirit of the
occasion.
PREVIOUS INAUGURATIONS.
Prior to the swearing in of Theodore
f. Randolph as governor in 1869, ..the
oath of Office was administered by
the president of the Senate, and the
inaugural ceremonies were always
held at the State House, the oath being
administered in the senate chamber.
Since 1869 with the exception of the
Inauguration of Governor Mcclellan,
he new governors have always taken
the oath in Taylor Opera House and
the Chief Justice of the state has beer
the official to administer it.
The change was brought about by
reason of some doubt that existed al
to just who should administer the
oath. Under the law of 1916 it wai
provided that member Of the Senate
should administer the oath in the
presence of the Senate.
Usually the president was selected,
but the law caused trouble on more
than one occasion. 1t was further
provided that the oath should be ad
ministered in the senate chamber.
1t was quite apparent that the ac
oommodations were too meagre ant
it was decided to change the order o.
things. When the committee was
arranging for the inauguration o.
Governor Randolph they put through
the legislature bill which provided
that the Chief Justice, the Chancellor
or any member of tho senate should
administer the oath in the presence o.
the senate and General Assembly a
any place they might designate.
That ended the inaugural ceremon
les at the State House. 1t also ended
the transformations oeremonials thai
had marked the induction of Cover
nors into office.
AT the very first Inauguration out
side of the State House, there was {
spectacular demonstration. Governor
Randolph took the oath Of Office ii
Taylor Opera House, January 19, 1859
and there was an imposing display.
Joel Parker, who had presided over
the dastiuias of the state durino thf