The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-02-08
Formal DECLARATIONOF The
ELECTION E0F'ROOSEVEL!T AND
FAIRBANKS WAS made TODAY
s. sEHATE y Al E AN Q 10 u Sc MET in
Iss Joint sEssio FAT ONE
WIEN STIR s NAH oGANY
BOXES WERE UNLOCKED i 5Y
SENATOR FRYE. Il

SENATOR FRYE. s
WASHINGTON; Feb. s.-Rooseyelt
\ md q Fairbanks were to-day formally
soelared sthe President M and Vice
Presid lent elect aof the United States.
The ceremonious event Of canvass
ssinss the electoral vote by the Senate
Z: s::aaA House in Joint session took place
i Sin the hall of the House this after:
S:nnoa In the presence OF a concourse
et distinguished men and galleries
fEed TO suifocation with those fortu.
rate enough to obtain cards of ad.
Mission from some Senator or Repre-.
sentative. The galleries set apart for
guests Of the White House family and
81 the diplomatic corps, usually emp.
were crowded as rarely before.
Both houses Of Congress met as
ssSasual atsnoon. At 1 o'clock the Sen.
ate was notified the House was pre-
pared ito go into joint session for the
purpose Of carrying out the provision
@ofs the constitution in the ratification
gSfs the vote cast by the electoral col.
1 lege. The Senators at once formed
inS solemn procession, which issued
from the south door Of the Senate
schamber, ,3Salong the MOSAIC floor OF
ssthe corridor and wended its way to
The entrance Of the hall Of the house.
ssisfIt was preceded by a phalanx of cap
ital police, behind whom came the
assistant doorkeepers Of the Senate,
two fswhom carried mahogany boxes
containing the certified returns from
the electoral colleges Of the forty five
States declaring their choice for
n President and Vice President. The
4 boxes were especially constructed
for the occasion by the cabinet max
eFsS at the capitol. Contrary 70
Sths usual custom, they are not rein.
forced with metal supports, on the
y corners this year. They are adorned,
however. with beautiful inlaid work.
IA big shawl strap was. provided for
Ssseach to make the task OF carrying
them an easy one. The boxes, after.
hes counting of the ballots. become
the property Of Senator Frye, presi,
dent pro ten. of the Senate. IT is
the long established custom to give
5sthe boxes to the presiding officer Of
the Senate and this is the second set
sini the possession Of Senator Frye, he
having been presiding officer when
the electoral vote was counted four
years ago.
Behind the bearers of the boxes In
the solemn Senatorial procession
marched / Colonel Daniel NJ. Ransdcll,
!3Sthe Ssergeantat.arms Of the Senate,
followed by Senator William P. Frye.
the president pro tenn, who was es-
corted by Charles G. Bennett, clerk
ofS the Senate. AS the Senators reach
3ed the entrance to the hall Of the
house their coming was announced
ITO the Representatives waiting by
,,EB. F.. Lyon, door.keeper Of the House.
a Seats had been provided for them
svacating the first four rows to the
sfrightso the speakers desk, the Dem
ssocrats who usually occupy them hav-
ing found quarters with their Repub-
lican colleagues on the left. AS tie
Y Senators led by Mr.. Frye, appeared
lat the center aisle Speaker Cannon
A rose and sthe members of the House
followed his example. All remained
satnding until the, members Of the
upper house had been seated PIesi-
dent Pro TEN. Frye then mounted the
speakers stand and beneath the silk
flag draped above it seated himself
X beside the speaker, on his right, us.
stunning the post of presiding officer
sSofs the Joint session, an honor confer
sSsred upon the President OF the Senate
by Congressional enactment years
agos The two mahogany cases were
placed on the speakers desk. Each
contained the reports Of the electoral
Votes 8of the States, one holding the
set that came by mail, the other the
set which messengers had delivered
IN person to Senator Frye. The two
keys were placed before Senator Frye
ssand as he unlocked the boxes the
ceremony which declared the election
of a President and Vice President
of the United States had actually be.
gun. To those who were able to see
the contents Of the boxes there were
revealed a number Of large brown
Eenyelopes which marked each with
4 the name OF az State. AS they were
placed before Senator Frye he rose,
gayels in hand, and addressed the as;
semblage as follows !: u
This being the day and hour ap.
pointed for opening the certificates
~, a Sry,,y,f h ~ 7, Z, Al fS,r