Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-04

the President rather busly engaged for
some time. but not too busy to stop and
give greeting to the senators and represen-
tatives who called to pay their respects. or
to see that bills in which they were inter-
estsd were signed. When Senator Dolli-
ver's aged father, who has lost leg. hob
bled in on his crutches the President arose
from his seat and advanced to the door Of
the room to meet and greet him.
Arrival of Distinguished Guests.
Members of the House Of Representatives
marched to the Senate from the south
wing of the Capitol in a body. They were
the first to arrive They were headed by
Speaker Cannon. The Senate arose to re-
ceive them.
They were given seats on the democratic
side of the chamber. All seats had been
placed together closely and hundreds OF ad-
ditional chairs had been brought into the
hall. All members of the Senate were
seated on the republican side Of the hall.
The entrance of the diplomatic corps was
an impressive part of the exercises The
assistant sergeant-at-arms announced the
entrance of the various representatives of
foreign governments. Count Cassini, the
dean of the corps, was the first to enter
on the democratic side on the second row.
sadors being occupied by members Of the
Presidents official household.
1.-THE ambassadors and ministers plenipo-
Tertiary" announced the assistant SER
geant-at-arms in ringing tones, and again,
upon the fall of the gaval, all came to
standing posture, while Sergeant-at-arms
Ransdell escorted the foreign dlgnitares to
their places fronting the presiding officer.
The foreigners attracted much attention.
and the brilliancy of their dress and the
distinction of the gentlemen themselves
were the subjects of much admiring COM
ment Events followed quickly.
From this time until Senator Fairbanks
began his address the senator's and their
visitors were kept quite constantly engaged
In rising to receive newcomers.
The diplomats were followed by the Su-
preme Court, officially gowned in long robes
and with Chief Justice Fuller, distinguish
ed in appearance. leading the van. The
judiciary was in turn succeeded by repre-
sentatives Of the two warlike arms of the
government.
Gradually the hall was filled, and the
scene had become more and more animated,
until for the last time in connection with
the occasion the doors were opened to adj
nit a guest. He was a guest of guests
the President and the President-elect, The
odore Roosevelt.
The Presidents Arrival.
1.-THE President and his cabinet" pro-
claimed Sergeant-at- arms Ransdell in we'll
modulated phrase.
The President went at once to his seat
directly in front Of the presiding officer.
looking scarcely to the right to the left,
but evidently never unmindful Of the scene
about him. Once at the place assigned him
he threw himself into his chair, and imme-
diately became visibly aware of his splen-
did environment He has once before been
participant in an inaugural ceremony,
but then only as the recipient Of second
honors. He was there now as the head of
the people Of the nation and by right of
their choice. and he looked the part.
The Vice President Sworn In.
Senator Fairbanks. upon entering the
chamber, was escorted by the committee on
arrangements to the platform. on which sat
President Pro Tempore Frye ana Speaker
Cannon. the former of whom was on the
eve Of performing the last act of his pres
ent term In that Office by administering the
oath which would make Mr.. Fairbanks not
only Vice President but also the permanent
presiding officer Of the Senate.
Rising in front of the slender but tower
ing form Of his successor, the President
pro tempore repeated to him in the form
of an official 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 cere-
mony did not consume over two minutes
Of time, but 1t was conducted with such
dignity and solemnity to make. a lasting
Impression on all present. Profound still
ness characterized the dense assemblage
while 1t was in progress none present ap-
parently failing to appreciate that an act OF
sacred national import was being per-
formed.
The oath finished. the two leading par
Elephants shook hands cordially and Mr..
Frye spoke a few hurried words Of congrat-
ulation. With last positive thump OF the
payel the Maine senator relinquished his
position as president pro tempore by an
nouncing the final adjournment Of the Fifty
eighth Congress. Without look backward
he vacated the seat he had occupied for
almost four years. stepped from the presid-
ing offlcer's platform to the Senate floor
and there took his seat to listen with other
senators to the address Of the new Vice
President.
The Vice Presidents Address.
Mr.. Fairbanks spoke deliberately and dis
tinctly, his voice easily reaching all. He
said:
Senators: I enter upon the discharge of
the duties Of the position to which have
been called by my countrymen with CRATE
full appreciation Of the high honor and with
deep sense of its responsibilities
AT have enjoyed the privilege Of serving
with you here for eight years. During that
period we have been engaged In the consid-
oratiny, ~ MANY df7rHoatif 0anaatffya4a Of vast
Importance, and with foreign problems Of