Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-18
ON THRONE
CONTINUED from First Page.)

and princess Of the Astorias ascended a
platform, specially constructed, facing the
semi circular. gilded hall, around which the
benches we're filled to their capacity by
senators, deputies. courtiers and ministers.
The foreign princes and other special en-
voys we're seated to the right Of the plat
form, which was draped with red. Four
gilded arm chairs we're placed in the front
of the platform beneath a red canopy. The
king and queen regent who had entered the
ground, took the center seats and the prince
and princess Of the Astorias seated them
selves in the others. On the left of the
king stood a table on which was a bible
with a silver crucihx 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 every
one present rose and remained standing
until the queen regent pronounced the
words BE seated"
King Takes the Oath.
The president of the chamber, Senior Vera
Armijo, who approached the table on which
the bible rested, then said. amid impressive
~silence:
Senior, the Cortes, convoked by your au-
o1st mother are assembled to receive from
your majesty the oath, which, in accord
ance with the constitution, you come to
take, to maintain the constitution and the
laws.
Senior Armijo 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. placing his right
hand on the bible, then uttered the follow
ing words:
I swear, by God, upon the holy. bible, 70
maintain the constitution and laws. II
so l do may God reward me. II l 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 has received the oath your
majesty has taken to maintain the con-
stitution and laws.
At the same moment the booming OF
twenty-one guns was heard, announcing to
the city tina the king had taken the oath.
Proceed to Church.
King Alfonso, the regent and the princess
Of the Asturias withdrew from the Chamber
Of Deputies with the same ceremonial that
marked their entry into the building and
the procession was reformed and proceeded
to the San Francisco church, which was
reached shortly after 8 p. m. King Alfonso
was met at the portal Of the church by the
primate of Spain and the cardinal arch
bishop Of Santiago de Compostela and
twenty bishops all in the magnificent robes
which are only worn on great occasions.
Eight priests bore a canopy over the king
as he advanced up the central traiVe and
took his seat on a throne placed beside a
crimson velvet covered altar specially
erected in front Of the grand altar. A te
deum was then chanted, accompanied by a
grand orchestra. The king left the church
with the same ceremonial as on his entry
and returned directly to the palace.
Dons New OmciaI Robes.
King Alfonso today for the first time
wore the uniform of a captain general, dark
blue with gold facings and red silk waist
band, from which hung a sword, and a steel
helmet with a white plume. TIT reception
met with by the procession was on the
whole lukewarm on the part of the immense
crowds, composed chiefly Of people who had
gathered to witness the pageant out OF curl
osity. On the Puerta del Sol no cheer was
raised until the king arrived there, when he
received an ovation, mainly. however, from
the spectators who packed the windows and
balconies.
There were some cheers from the people
In the streets and hats were waved, bui
many men did not even uncover their heads
King Alfonso, who was seated on the right
OF his mother, smiled continually and &C
knowledged the cheers by bowling and wav'
ing his white gloved hand.
There were several minor accidents, bui
no fatalities were reported.
Queen Expresses Gratitude.
The queen regent has sent the following
letter to the premier, Senior sagasta;
On terminating today the regency tC
which l was called by the constitution a.
~widowhood, l feel from the depths of m!
heart the necessity OF expressing 70 TN
Spanish people my Immense ana u nSactIa,
and support which l have received from al
classes of society.
II at that time ! Soresaw that withou
the loyalty and confidence of the people
would be unable to fulfill my mission, TO
day. in looking back on this period. m
lecting the bitter trials which providenc'
has spared us, l appreciate those virtue.
IN all their Inn mag mt 0eit,op STbf as bbssen sbit
to traverse such a profound crisis unoe
conditions which augur an epoch OF tran
Therefore, in handing TO King Atoms
xiii the powers which 1 have exercised II
his name, 1 am confident that all the span
iards who are gathering around him. WI!
inspire him with the confidence and foru
tude necessary to fulfill the hopes place.
in him. That will be the most compIet
recompense for his mother, who, havinl
devoted her life to the fulhllment Of he
duties, begs God to protect her son !,
order hat emulating the glories OF hi
ancestors he may succeed in giving peac
and prosperity to the noble people.
wish to give to all Spaniards my ex
nraasion of profound thanks, and the ferV
emit wishes l make for the felicity OF GU
beloved country.
Manifesto of the CarIists.