The San Francisco call., 1905-03-05

ment was lost. Rising in front Of the
slender and towering form of his sue
cessor, the President pro tempore re-
peated to him in the form of an OFF,
cial oath the few impressive words
which transformed the Indiana leader
from the position of Senator to that
of Vice President Of the United States.
The ceremony did not consume more
than two minutes Of time. but it was
conducted with such dignity and SOL
emnity as to make lasting impression
on all present. Profound stiffness
characterized the dense assemblage
while it was in progress. none present
apparently falling to appreciate that
an act Of sacred national import was
being performed.
The oath concluded. the two lead
Ing participants shook hands cordially
and Frye spoke a few hurried words
Of congratulation. With a last posi-
tive thump of the gavel the Maine
Senator relinGuished his position as
President pro tempore by announcing
the final adjournment of the Fifty
eighth Congress. without a look
backward lie vacated the seat he had
occupied for almost four years.
stepped from the presiding officers
platform to the Senate floor and there
took his seat to listen with other Sem
atcrs to the address Of the new Vice
President.
INAUGURAL SPEECH.
Fairbanks had no difficulty in being
heard. He spoke deliberately and dis
tinctly. his voice, SO well tried during
the past campaign, easily reaching all
parts of the chamber. He said:
Senators: 1 enter upon the dis
charge of the duties of the position
to which I have been called by my
countrymen with grateful appreciation
OF the high honor and with q deep
sense of its responsibilities.
II have enjoyed the privilege OF
serving with you here for eight years.
During that time we have engaged In
the consideration Of many domestic
questions of vast Importance and with
foreign problems Of unusual and far-
reaching significance. We submit
what we have done to. the impartial
judgment of history.
"I can never forget the pleasant re-
Lotions which have been formed dur
ing my service upon the floor Of the
Senate 1 shall cherish them always
as among the most delightful mem
cries of my life. They warrant the be-
lief that 1 shall have in the discharge
of the functions which devolve upon
me under the constitution the gener-
Gus assistance and kindly forbearance
of both sides of the chamber.
1--WE witness the majestic spectacle
of a peaceful and orderly beginning OF
an administration OF national affairs
under the laws of a free and self-gov-
erning people.
1--WE pray that divine favor may at
tend il and that peace and progress,
Justice and honor may abide with our
country and countrymen."
SENATE ORGANIZES.
The address received careful atten-
ton, and at its conclusion the Vice
President instructed the secretary OF
the Senate to read the Presidents call
for an extra session of the Senate. The
reading accomplished and the Senate
of the Fifty-ninth Congress thus In
stalled, DR.. Edward Everett Hale, the
venerable chaplain Of the Senate, came
forward to deliver the opening prayer
OF the nrSC session.. III IeSpOISS ~
quiet signal from the chair the Sen
ate and it's guests arose and stood while
DR.. Hale, in his usual impressive man
ner. utter the invocation.
The organization of the Senate was
then completed by the swearing In OF
Senators elected to serve for the next
six years. They appeared in platoons
of four In alphabetical order at the
desk of the Vice President, each being
accompanied by his collea que. The oath
was administered by Fairbanks and in
each case was Immediately followed by
signing the Senate roll of membership.
This ceremony concluded the days
session, and the Senate adjourned to
the outside platform to witness. with
others, the inauguration Of President
Roosevelt.
The official guests left the chamber
in order the reverse of that in which
they had entered, and were closely fol-
lowed by the visitors In the galleries.
The arrangement for exit was excel
lently contrived; the departure was
without confusion or disorder. and only
few minutes were required to clear
the hall.