The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-02
,entea prlor q tlie beginning OF tho

main ceremonies. - IL. !.
spcnker cardwcl soon left the char 10
q 1oin the gts1ernatoral party In the court
room of tho Corporation Commission,
ana during his absence Colonel Robert
10 ice. Jr presided with eaHc ana grace.
Mrs. 7. Taylor Ellyson, with party or
lady friends. was the first of the oiiicial
contingent to arrive. They were assigned
front seats reserved for them, Mrs. Swan
son,s party came next, and were seated
directly In front OF the Speakers stand.
Just TO the right sat Mrs. Montague, with
Messrs r.. L. Montague and D. 10. Moh-
tnguc.
lust before noon the Senate entered
and the body was received by the House
standing. The rolls of the two bodies
were called and there were present
ntnety-hve delegates and thirty-threc sem
ators.
The Sergeant at Arms announced the
Court of Appeals and the Corporation
Commission. and these officials were seat
ed The former were in front of the
Speakers stand and the latter just to the
right. The other State officials then hied
In and were seated. Owing to sickness.
Judge II. ii. Cardwell, of Hanover was
absent.
On motion of Mr.. Baker. of Chesterfield
the Inaugural Committee escorted the gu
bernatorial party to the hall, and great
applause greeted their entrance. They
Chairman of the committee. Governor
elect Swanson was escorted by Governor
Montague, and there was n wild shout as
they entered and the cheering was kept
UP until they were seated. The former
went upon the stand and sat beside the
Speaker, while the latter occupied n seat
by Mrs Montague.
Received Standing.
Following the two Governors were Lieu
I-It.
dent Pro TEN. of the Senate Henry L.
Wickham. They, too, received their share
OF applause.
The members and visitors arose. and an
eloquent and timely prayer was offered by
Rev. j. Sidney Peters, a longtime friend
of Governor Swanson, who was presented
by Speaker Cardwell.
The new Governor was introduced by
the chair, and proceeded, after the ap-
plause had subsidized, to deliver his inaugu-
raj address, which is regarded on all
sides as an able State paper
Speaker Cardwell uttered but few
words: II have the honor" he said, ''of
presenting to you your Governor, the
Hon. Claude A. Swanson"
The reception accorded Governor Swan
son when no arose was heartily Joined in
by all, and it amounted well nigh to an
ovation. Time after time, as he proceeded,
the applause was renewed, and when he
concluded another wave of enthusiasm
swept over the great audience.
Governor Swanson spoke in n clear and
forceful manner, and did not refer at
any time to manuscript,
Earnestly Heard.
The most earnest attention was given
his every utterance, and save for the
applause, which broke out frequently
,Ie-n I,,fa
hall. He was clad in conventional black,
wearing Prince Albert suit, with stand
ing collar and black four-n-hand te
Upon the conclusion of Governor Swan
sons address, he turned to Judge Whittle
and, in clear voice, said he was ready
to subscribe to the oath of office
Judge Whittle read the Official oath.
and then the anti-duellng oath, both of
which are usual and regular, and the
Governor answered the questions put him
in distinct tones and pressed his lips
against a new Bible provided for the
purpose.
He then signed the oaths with new
gold pen. purchased by the Inaugural
Committee, and having complied with all
the forms of law, he was, indeed. the
Executive. of his native State for the
term of four years from that moment.
The oath of office was administered to
Lieutenant-Governor Ellyson by Pres-
dent James Keith. of the Supreme Court,
and he went through all the forms just
observed by the Governor.
A new Bible and pen We're provided for
MIR. Ellyson. and these will be preserved
as mementoes by the two distinguished
officials
Congratulations were fairly showered
upon both, after which the gubernatoral
party retired.
Governor Swanson aud former Cover
nor Montague went to the Executive
Office and remained there for few mo-
lnents in consultation.
Governor Swanson then went to the
Mansion. and Governor Montague to his
home on Grove Avenue.
Mr.. Ellyson Inaugurated.
Leaving the hall of the House of Dele
gates the Senate returned to it's chamber
and resumed its session, with Judge Will
liam Hodges Mann in the chair A COM
mittee of three, consisting of Mr.. Echols,
of staunton; Mr.. Ldssitern.of Petersburg,
and Mr. Walker56f Northumberland was
appointed to escort the Lieutenant Gov
ernor TO the hall.
AS Mr.. Ellyson entered the chamber the
senators arose and received him standing.
He was followed into the room by Coz
ernor Swanson, who was accompanied by
Ex-Governor Montague With them were
Mrs Swanson, Mrs, Montague and sew
eral other ladies' The Lieutenant-Gover-
nor was escorted TO the presidents ros-
trum. where he received the gavel from
the hands of Judge Mann. The Nottoway
senator made brief but very happy
speech, welcoming the presiding officer
on the part of the Senate. Responding,
Mr.. Ellyson said:
Il feel grateful to my fellow-ctizens of
the Old Dominion for the privilege they
have accorded me of presiding over so
distinguished body as the Senate of
Virginia.
II greatly appreciate the gracious man
ner in which have been presented 10
you by my honored friend. the acting
president.
II shall endeavor to perform the duties
of my office in such manner as will facili-
tate the transaction OF the business of
this body. and will cooperate with You
In the discharge of Your responsible duties.