The semi-weekly messenger., 1905-03-07
Roosevelt Takes Oath of Office Before
immense ThrOng, Gathered From
all Parts of the Continent.

week ever advancing was colors sweep
Though all it's streets. Not only was
the line of march artistically decorated
to a degree never before attained, but
no street in the city was without it's
national colors. Acting under sug-
ges lon from the inaugural committee,
the board of education had requested
it's $4,000 school children to see that
each one of their homes displayed the
flag. 1t was a request responded to oy
an army of children. This apothoesls
or the colors was one of the most strik-
ing elements of a gigantic scheme for
expressing the national respect for a
president.
Comprehensive Decoration Scheme.
The committees on street decorations,
parks and reviewing stands worked to-
gether with artistic taste and trans
formed two miles and a half Of the
city's noted avenue into a fitting high
way for the nation in it's countless rep
resentative bodies to march as an es-
cort to it's President. Every square
yard that was not black with people
banked high from the pavement, crowd
ing all windows, and fringing all roofs,
was brilliant with the national colors.
II was not a hap-hazard hanging of
banners, but under the direction and
advice of a competent committee the
best effects were produced. The light
and airy stands conforming every
where to elementary architectural rules
as to construction, painting and decor
ations, supplanted the huge and un-
slightly lumber piles which were form
erly tolerated as OutlOOkS for the
crowds For this the public owes John
b. Larner thanks. The scene by day
was magnificent, by night, under the
committees scheme of illumination,
the tremendous crowds wandered in
fairy land.
Heretofore the decorations of the aV-
enue have been chiefly flags, streamers
and bunting. To these today were
added palms of large growth and in
endless abundance, by carloads from the
south, and shiploads from Porto Rico.
The Court of History.
The Presidents reviewing stand, in
front of the White House, was the CEN
ter of the court of history, which ex-
tended two long blocks from Fifteenth
street Along each side of the avenue
were noted historical figures in great
numbers, from the ST. Louis exposition.
This triumphal pathway, along which
the kings of the earth might have
deemed it an honor to be conducted,
was cleared and closed to cars and
vehicles at an early hour. The police
management was perfect-such as was
shown as has long been the custom
under the able management OF Major
sylvester, it's chief of metropolitan po-
lice. 1t was a rural highway upon
which the President early entered and
proceeded to the capitol to sign such
bills as Congress might pass in it's
closing hours.
Escort to the President.
General Chaffae had provided a well
ordered and perfect cavalry escort
which could have rapidly passed over
the line and made possible the prompt
reopening of the streets to the car lines
and the public in order that the resi-
dents of the suburbs and the greater
portions OF the city might reach the
centers Of interest with the least deiay
But the grand army, as is its habit, IN
sisted on acting with this escort, ara
the President sharing the universal .1p-
probation of it's past deeds, yielded. and
his rate of progress to the capitol was
reduced to the pathetic pace of nen
who are fast approaching the scripture
limit of life. But the delay had its
compensation. Many thousands had op :
portualities to see and greet the Pres
ident, as his cOrtege slowly passed
along the two miles from the White
House ito Capitol Hill.
The five minutes remaining at the
close of the Senate'S session were given
to inaugurating the new vice presi-
dent He appeared at the main en-
trance, escorted Ey the joint commit
tee of arrangements, and as the Sem
ate and it's guests rose he was escorted
to a seat at the right of the presiding
officer where he delivered brief inau-
gural remarks, and repeated the oath
of office after che presiding officer.
Senator Frye.
New Session of the Senate.
Then immediately began the opening
and formal organization Of the new
session in the Senate chamber. In this
little box, whose galleries seat about
S00-seats eagerly but vainly sought for
by at least hundred thousand people
the Senate, after a dull roll call, and
a duller reading of the Presidenl IS
proclamation assembling the body, be-
gan its work. Packed like sardines in
the restricted space of the little cham
Der were the official visitors, the Pres
ident and cabinet In plain clothes; the
ambassadors and ministers, gorgeous
in gilt braid and decorations; the Su-
pren1e court in deep black: the army
and navy in silver and gold swords;
and last of all the members OF a dead
House OF Representatives banked about
the walls or crowded into cloak rooms.