Norwich bulletin., 1909-03-05


 chief executive to take the oath of office in the chamber of the senate in eeventy-six years, William Howard Taft became president of the United States today.
 Sudden Blizzard Set Things Awry.
 Accompanied to the capitol by Pres ident Roosevelt and a guard of hon. or through a blinding snowstorm, Mir. Taft returned to the White house just as the sun began. to force its way through the thinning clouds of gray. A sudden blizzard sweeping in from the northwest last night, to set awry the weather bureaus optimistic promise of flair and somewhat cool err caused an abandonment Of the outdoor ceremonies on the famous east front of the capitol, much to Mir. Taft's cnagrin and threatened for time to stop altogether the brilliant pageant of the afternoon.
 Three Hours Review of Passing Col
 umns.
 By great efforts1 passageway was cleared along the center of Pennsyl- vania avenue, however, and for nearly three hours President Taft and Vice President sherman reviewed passing columns replete with martial spIeudor and picturesque with civic display.
 Roosevelt Again a Private Citizen.
 After the brilliant and impressive ceremonies in the senate. during which both the president and vice president took the oath of off1ce. President Roosevelt, again private citizen. bade an affectionats adieu to his successor, while all in the historic chamber look ed on in silence, and then hurried away through side door to take & train for New York As he passed out of the chamber he was given an ovation quite the equal of that tender cd to the new president. Outside the capitol the retiring chief executive was met by 800 members of the New York county committee, and under their escort was driven to the union station a short three blocks away. A band at the head of the column play ing Agl36 Lang Syne. told the story of the march, and MT. Roosevelt was compelled time and time again to acknowledge the cheers from the ehrong which lined his way.
 There was a wait of nearly two hours &t the station, during which MT. Roosevelt held an impromptu recep- tion in the presidential suite. Many of his old frienda, among them gov ernment officials and the diplomatic corps. sought him far @ final word of farewell. As he made his way to the train shortly after three o'clock he &H ~ANO% VI 0S ~~AO1S'NA%1Ns
 Glad to ReIinquish Office.
 To all with whom he talked. MT Roosevelt declared that while he had "a bully time" as president, he was glad to lay down the duties of office. He praised his successor and com mente6 upon the latter's inaugural ad- dress as "splendid."
 Inaugural Ball in Pension Building.
 President and Mrs. Taft were the csnters of interest at the eliminating feature of the memorable day-the in- augural ball in the pension building. The soene in the oavernous building, which had been transformed into a canopied court of ivory and white, was another of the brilliant pictures which are quadPennially painted here by the gathering Of vast and brilliant assem- blages from every section of the coun- try. With all the color and movement of a military spectacle, with the soft ening influence of delicately tinted gowns and the interest Of a personnel seldom squaiIsd at @ social function. the inaugural ball holds place unique tn the history making of a day.
 Magnificent Fireworles.
 While the ball was in progress in- doors, a display of fireworks on the monument lot in the rear of the White House marked the end of the outdoor campaign
 For hours the thinly clouded heavens were alight with screaming rockets, with sun clusters that challenged the brilnance of day, with fiery "coibras" and all the fantastic creations of mod ern pyrotechnic skill. Aerial salutes. floating festoons. illuminated balloons @Ra .scores of other features made the @Pplay visible from one end of the capitol city to the other.
 o,.sO kr hi ~rfaf f~ ba han Draaf- dent Taft entertained at tea in the White House the members of the Yale club, dined with Mrs. Taft st o'clock and stopped at the Metropolitan club to say a few words at the dinner of the Yale class Of '7S.
 Steady Cheers and Piaudits for Mir.
 Taft.
 MT. Tsft's day was one of steady cheers and plaudits from the moment be first appeared on the White House poPtico to go to his inauguration until he retired late tonight reluctantly from the inaugural ball. MT. and Mrs Taft were the guests of the Roosevelts at the White House last night, setting a new precedent in the courtesies of the executive mansion, as they did agsir today when Mrs. Taft accom- panied the newly made president and MT sherman, the new vice president, rom Lue cN pttOi Al lllC 6cA4 Ol liso 4Ata- posing parade to the White House. The presidential carriage. drawn by four bay horses, which had been closed against the storm as President Roose- welt and Mr. Taft made their way to the capitol, was thrown open as the return joufney was begun. and PreSi- dent Taft quickly recognized by the crowds which stood enthusiastically unmindfSl of the aniele-deep snow and slush about them. was acclaimed ali along the great distances of the ave nue. Wearing his broadest of smiles. he bowed right and left in acknowledE- ment of the succeeding Ovetions which plarked his progress to the White 114otlMa.
 Happy ss Two Boys. When they met al breakfast shfs morning with the world all white out side, and the song of the blizzard ringing in their ears, Mir. Taft and Prestdsnt Roosevelt were Gs happy as two boys. T knew 1t woxid be cold day when I was made <pFesldsnt of the United States" exclaimed Mr. Taft land l knew there would be a blizzard clear lFp Co the mousnt went out of office" reJodnsd President Roosevelt.
 ouadoof cs-srneny Abandoned. Despite his untsjling good humor. Mir. Taft was deeply disappointed when, upgn arriving at the capitol, | enor<sz afkae ~ ete<aaE. hA fslznA fhat
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