Middletown transcript., 1905-01-21
PRESTON LEA
INAUGURATED

INAUGURATEI
lnducted Into Office With Dig
nified Ceremonies Tuesday
PROMINENT PERS0NS.ATTENI
DOVER, Jan. 17th-Never before ha
the inauguration of Governor ant
Lieutenant Governor of Delaware beel
attended with such Romp as was witness
ed here to-day when Preston Lea of Viii
mington, the Governor-elect. and Isaa
Thomas Parker, also of Wilmington
took the oatIls of Office Nearly everl
building in Dover was decorated, the
State House, Opera House and Hote
Richardson being made bowers of beaut,
with flags, bunting, flowers and evergreen
The State Capital was crowded completely
the three hotels being totally unable tt
accommodate the guests.
Governor Lea was sworn in at tht
Opera House at noon in presence of {
brilliant and large assemblage, by Judgt
William G. Spruance, while Lieutenant
Governor Parker took the oath of office
In the Senate chamber shortly after IL
O'Clock, it being administered by Judge
James Pennewil.
When the Senate was called to order
at 1850 A. NJ, by retiring Lieutenant
Governor Cannon, it was crowded, g
majority of the attendants being ladies
The Senators and all of the attaches gave
their seats to the fair sex and the former
stood around the chamber, and transacted
the business. The scene has probably
never before been equalled in the State
House from standpoint of grandeur.
Prayer was offered by the Rev. c. A
Grise, OF Baltimore, former member ol
the Wilmington M. E. Conference who
was stationed at the Brandywine Church
in Wilmington and at Georgetown. He
prayed for prosperity and long life of the
State of Delaware and her officials and
made profound impression by his in.
vocation.
II esteem it great honor for ME to
have been chosen as the Lieutenant-G Gov
ernor of the State of Delaware and Presi.
dent of the Senate, and while have been
chosen from the ordinary walks of life
l have been received by these gentlemen
Of the Senate with the fullest confidence
and esteem. I have much to learn and
must rely upon your indulgence from time
to time applying myself meantime with
diligence to the responsibilities which
you the people of Delaware, have placed
upon me.
"To the Senators on both sides of this
chamber let me say that l will be an i'm
partial presiding officer. l bespeak from
you for me your most earnest co-opera-
ton in legislating for people whom we
all love so that when this session of the
Legislature shall close it may be said
that this Legislature was after all the
most successful ever held"
Legislators Go to Inauguration
The Senators at 1l.25 o'clock joined the
members of the House and proceeded in
a body to the Opera House where they
witnessed the Inauguration of Governor
Lea.
As the day progressed the splendor Of
the occasion increased and the people of
Dover viewed the festivities with won
derment. The attendance was larger,
the people were more representative and
everything was on a greater scale that
had ever been witnessed at any previous
Inauguration of Governor. If appear
ances shall be Indicative, the administers,
ton OF Governor Lea will be success.
A large crowd stood in front of the
Opera House long before the doors were
opened, eagerly awaiting admittance to
the auditorium. At noon the rear doors
leading to the stage were opened for
those holding tickets to the stage and for
the citizens committee of one hundred,
who were given front seats in the theatre
proper. Following this, the women aud
other visitors to the number of 285 were
admitted to the stage, they forming a
pleasing picture. John Edward Addicks
was not present.
Brilliant Scene on the Stage
After the guests had been seated, the
General Assembly occupying two rows
in front Of the stage with the members
of the Senate ahead of the House, the
members of Governor Hunn's staff, re-
splendent in their uniforms also took
seats on the stage. Then, at r. 10 P. NJ,
when the First Infantry Band was play
ing ''Hail TO the Chief outside of the
theatre and when the assembiage inside
was cheering, the Governor-elect appear
ed in company with Governor Hum
He was loudly greeted. The new execu-
tive and the retiring executive took
seats on the very first row of the stage,
the others besides them being:
Senators Ball and Alice, Secretary of
State. to-be Cahall, Judge William C.
Spruance, Secretary of State Layton,
Congressman-elect Burton, Lieutenant
Governor Parker, Speaker of the House
Denney, the Rev. DIR. L. Z. Barrett, ex-
| Lieutenant Governor Cannon, Senators
Monaghan and Pennewill, of the Legis-
lative Committee, ard the clerks of the
Senate and House.
Or. Barrett's Prayer
| The Lieutenant Governor raped for
order and the Rev. DIR. Barrett led in
prayer. He asked for blessings upon
the retiring Governor and upon Cover
nor Lea and said: "Oh, Lord, bless Gov
ernor Lea" The invoc alton was pa
thetic and the new Governor was deeply
moved. DR.. Barrett also prayed for The
other State officials.
Senator Sparks moved that the joint
resolution convening the two Houses in
II . Il II.