The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-28
Hon. Claude A. Swan
son Becomes Cover
nor Thursday,
CEREMONIES TO
BE IMPRESSIVE.
Distinguished Company Will Be
Present to Hear the Address.
Reception to Men at the
Mansion From 2 to q.
Mr.. and Mrs. Ely /
son Receive.

~
With simple. but imposing ceremony
and in the presence of distinguished
gathering of men and women from all
sections of tho State, Claude A. Swan
son will at noon on Thursday of this
week. take the oath of Office as Cover
nor OF Virginia for term of four years,
beginning that day.
Apart from the personality of the now
Chief Magistrate and the fact that the
inauguration will mark the elimination
of one of the most spirited political cam
paigns in the long history of the Com
monwealth, the event will be notable for
two chief reasons In addition. Heretofore
the Virginia Governors have assumed
office with the beginning of the year.
Under tho new Constitution the terms
were changed by a month and Governor
Swanson will be the first to go in under
this system. More significant still, as
adding to the ceremonial feature, q new
State Capitol will be the scene OF the
inauguration of 1906: In the magnificent
surroundings furnished by the great
building now at last completed and fitted
the days events always striking. will la
more brilliant than ever. The wide halls
will he crowded with distinguished Vir-
ginlans. and tho State functions within
the Capitol itself will give way in the
afternoon and evening TO 4 sound OF
brilliant social features.
Considerable Ceremony.
While there are a few minor details
still to be perfected, the plans for tho
inauguration are about complete. The
Importance of the event TO the State and
the dignity OF the office will demand con-
siderable ceremony, but tic Governor
elect mas expressed particular desire
] that there shall be as little display and
| formality as may be possible Under the
circumstances This idea will prevail IN
all arrangcments Democratic simplicity
will mark .thn Inauguration throughout,
and only such form and pomp win be
permitted as may be absolutely neces-
sary.
Tho Governor-elect and Mrs. Swanson
will reach Richmond on Tuesday. from
Washington and will be mt the Jefferson
Hotel until the Inauguration. which Will
occur OH Thursday at noon before a
joint-session of the two houses of the
House of Delegates. The oath or office
will be administered by Judge Stafford
G.. Whittle. of the Supreme Court of APP
peals of Virginia. Prayer will be offered
by the Rev. j. Sidney Peters, pastor of
Trinity Methodist Church. of this city.
The inaugural address Will then be de-
livered by the new Governor. The in
auguration of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ].
Taylor Ellyson Will follow immediately
after the ceremonies attending the in
auguration of the Governor.
| In the presence of the General Assem-
| bly, and great attendance OF others.
the scene set In the historic surround
ings of the Virginia Capitol, will be very
| impressive. Tho great hall will be filled
| to Overlooking. The gathering Will be
, very brilliant, including, besides the
members of the families OF the Cover
nor and Lleutenant-G Governor. prominent
men and women from all sections of tho
State. Both United States senators from
Virginia will be present, and a number
of the Virginia congressman, with coma
gressmen from several other States, in-
innate friends of MIR. Swanson In tha
national capital. It has been reported
that the congressional party will come
from Washington in a special train and
will include the entire Virginia delega-
ton, but this feature of the programme,
II arranged, has not yet been definitely
announced.
Owing to his great age. the father OF
the Governor-elect. who s seventy-six
years old. will not be able to attend
the Inauguration. and the Governors sis
ter also will be kept at home with her
father. Tho other members OF the fam
lily will all be present,
Mrs. Swanson will attend the exercises
In the capitol, but on account OF hsr
mourning for her mother. will not par
ticlpate in the social functions to follow.
Afternoon Reception.
After the inauguration Governor and
Mrs. Swanson will repair to the executive
mansion. From 2 until O'clock Thurs
day afternoon the Governor will extend
a reception TO the members of the Gem
eral Assembly, the State and city ott1-
Gals and such others as may desire to
attend. This reception will be entirely
for men. The visitors will be entertained
at luncheon. At night n brilliant reception
will be rendered to the new Governor ny