The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1909-03-09
TAFT BECOMES
Scene was Brilliant and Impressive
Was Witnessed by High Dignitaries
of State and Nation.
BLlNDlNG SNOW STORM COMPEL
LED A CHANGE OF PROGRAM.
And Mr.. Taft Had to Take Oath and
Deliver inaugural Address in
Senate Chamber

1
Washington, March Am the SEN
ate chamber, which seldom before has
witnessed so impressive a ceremony
| or held a more brilliant audience; in
| the presence of high dignitaries OF
state and nation and ambassadors and
| representatives of practically every
civilized world, VIM. Howard Taft,
| shortly before 1 o'clock today took
oath of office as President of the Uni
| ted States. A binding snow storm
which swept in upon Washington late
| lastnight and continued throughout
| the forenoon, caused an abandonment
of outdoor ceremony at the capitol
| which heretofore has marked the
Inauguration of many presidents of
the United States. The change of
program was a source of deep disap-
| pointment to many thousands of per-
| sons who had gathered in the deep
| snow drifts and slush of the capitol
plaza in hope of witnessing the taking
| of oath of the new president. Mr..
Taft was extremely anxious that the
| original plans should be adhered to
but after he had arrived at the capt.
tol he gave consent because of the dan
ger the exposure to the elements
would have entailed upon the vener-
able Chief Justice Fuller of the Sup
preme Court of the United States and
the older members Of the Senate and
diplomatic corps.
Mr. Taft's Inauguration Immediately
| followed that of Vice President James
| S. Sherman, which was carried out in
accordance with the original program
The distinguished company which
| gathered in the Senate to witness the
Inauguration of the vice-president, and
which afterward was to be escorted to
the immense inaugural stand on the
east front of the capitol. simply re.
mained in their places in the chamber
to view the more impressive ceremon
les attending the induction into Office
of the new chief executive of the ma
| ton.
| President Roosevelt, arm-in-arm
with President-elect Taft, entered the
crowded senate chamber shortly after
IL o'clock
! The appearance of these two CHIEF
figures in the days events was sig
nal for the spontaneous outbreak OF
applause on the floor and of cheers in
the galleries. Speaker Cannon enter
ing the senate chamber at the head Of
the House of Representatives, took a
place on the presiding officers bench
by the side of Vice President Fair
banks. Prior to the entry Of the mem
bers of the house and distinguished il
vited guests, the senate had adopted {
resolution of thanks to Mr.. Fairbanks
who replied with farewell ad
dress.
He then administered to Mr. Sher
man the brief oath of Office prescrib
ed by the constitution and turned owe
} to him the presiding officers gavel
; Vice President Sherman made but ,
brief inaugural address and then rap
ped the senate to order for furthe
business of inaugurating the nev
President of the United States.
\ Mr.. Taft's induction into Office wa
J the same simple ceremony devised il
the early days of the Republic. HI
, sworc to uphold and defend the consti
! tuition, to enforce all laws and to pre-
tect the Republic against all enemie
both foreign and domestic. The oatl
, was administered by Chief Justice Ful
Ter, who was officiating at such a Gel
emony for the last time in his notabl
, career as the chief presiding Office
of the country's highest court. Pres
dent Roosevelt who became again
) plain citizen Of the United State
when Mr.. Taft had kissed the Bible il
consumation was quick to congratu
late his successor in Office, being se<
ond to the chief justice in exercisin
that privilege.
Delivered Inaugural Address.
Mr.. Taft delivered his inaugural az
+ dress in abbreviated form in the Ser
7 ate Chamber. The address for publ
cation, however, stands in full
n When Mr. Taft had concluded h
was escorted to the waiting carriag
/ outside the Senate wing, and ther
was Joined by Mrs. Taft and Vice Pre-,
ident and Mrs. Sherman for the retur
ride to the White House.
President Roosevelt walked out {
& the capitol amid the cheering thron