The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-04
HELM OF STATE
in NEW HANDS
Gov. johnson Takes Oath in the
Presence Of a Notable
Gathering.
VAN SAINTS MESSAGE
PRECEDES INAUGURATION
Floral Portrait Of the New Gov.
ernor Presented Before
the Ceremony.

ernor Presented Before
the Ceremony.
''Do you, John A. johnson, solennly
swear to uphold the constitution Of the
United States, the constitution Of the
! state Of Minnesota, and to. faithfully
discharge your duties as governor Of
this state, according to your best judy
ment and ability, SO help you Godf''
rms solemn oath, pronounced by
Chief Justice Charles M. Start, was tax
en- at ll:4O this morning by John A.
Crimson, standing on the speaker 5 dias
with right hand uplifted. In the
presence of the senators and represen-
tatives Of the legislature assembled, and
under the eyes Of thousand spectators
in the crowded galleries, the st. Peter
editor entered upon the duties and OBJ.
| legations of his high office.
When the chief justice and the new
governor had taken their seats, the en-
longed handclapping, led by the mem
bers themselves, who thus testified.
their good will toward the new ex-
ecutive.
Seldom if ever has the state seen
more impressive civil ceremony. The
magnificent setting furnished by thenew
house chamber lent q dignity to the
holder. The new governors incoming
was in every way suspicious.
Floral Piece Presented.
/ Before Governor Johnson began read
ing his message, several pages came
struggling up the aisle, bearing life
size portrait Of the governor in mas
siye floral frame, tastefully designed in
bright colors. Representative James
Governor johnson from many admiring
friends. The inaugural ceremony fol-
g lowed Governor Van SAINTS farewell
message. The retiring governor pre-
scented a lengthy document, but omit
ted reading Of large part, and finished
interruption, when he paused and read
one of his sub-heads, "The Merger
Before he could go on there was a
round Of hand-clapping and laughter,
, in which the merger governor joined.
!, Hearty applause followed the reading,
and then Speaker Clague raped three
ftimess ths=hiss gaveI, the signal for.
) They remained standing while the oath
, was administered to Governor john
4 son.
The message Of Governor johnson
: was hardly half as long as that Of
his predecessor. He read rapidly and
with no, attempt at oratorical effect.
The audience was tired, and he hasten
: ed thru as rapidly as possible.
Distinguished Guests.
! There were many interested listeners.
r On the speakers dais were four other
officials. At one end sat Chief Justice
Start. snd at the other Lieutenant Mt, Coy os.
: Speaker Frank .olague, who presided.
: At the speakers side sat Samuel R.
Van SAINT, who had just laid down the
reins Of state, after four notable years
Of service: He listened with deep in
n terest to his. successor.
Down on the floor Of the house were
! several distinguished guests. Judge L.
W. Collins sat by one Of his Legislative
friends, and saw the oath administered
to the victor in the recent campaign.
Frank A. Day and L. A. Rosing, mana
G1 es had s saa hs
W. E. Young, the new railroad and
7 warehouse commissioner.
In a sheltered corner sat bright
l faced little woman whose eyes shone
with pride. and perhaps tears, when her
q bly,, and became the chief magistrate Of
J his state.
Hundreds stood in the galleries fol-
- two hours, Drawing fatigue rather than
miss word Of the proceedings.
Audience Politically Hostile.
While both governors, had cordial
q greetings, both were speaking in sense
s. to a hostile legislature. The republi.
n. can members elect, who had been candi'
u dates on the same ticket with r. g
70 defeat, and some resentment against
n the retiring governor for his attitude
d. in the campaign. For this reason the
10 Recommendations Of the two messages
|d while listened to with interest, will not
carry the weight that htey would have
e. coming from an active head OF the11
N own political party.
or Assemblage Of Joint Session.
* The joint session met for the imam.
e. gura, at 1880. The short sessions OF
G. each house were adjourned and soou
r. trance to the house chamber, marching
X two by two, Senators R. E. Thompson
t. of Fillmore county and II. F. Barker
xe of Isanti county leading the column
ic The house rose in body at the signal
a. Of three taps from the speakers gavel
70 were bestowed in the places prepared
n for them.
h. One tap of the gavel seated the whole
NJ assembly, but the members were hardly
ia comfortably placed before three tap!
h ,s again sounded. This time it was sena
at tors George P. Wilson and Hitler Hor
" " ton, at the head of a distinguished
4. train, including Governor 8. R: Val
~ SAINT, Governor elect John A. johnson
~ Chief Justice G. NJ. Start, former Gov
ernor L. f. Hubbard and Lieutenant
lGovernor Ray w. Jones, who were es
corted to places Of honor on the speak
er's dais.
q have the honor to introduce to 20.
Governor 8. r. Van SAINT, who will
give to you his farewell message, salt
r Speaker Clague simply.
Without more ado Governor Val
SAINT arose and, waiting for the heart,
applause to subside, began the reading
NJ Of his address.
81 After the reading of the two mes
no sages, the joint assembly was dissolved
~. The house took short recess durinI
- which Governor johnson and forme
os Governor Van SAINT held an informa
o1' reception. The senators and representa-
az tives. with their ladies and othe
to guests, were presented to the new gov
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