Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-05

or Cannon, at the head of the column,
was at once escorted to a raised chair
on the left of the Vice-President,
elect taking seats assigned them
throughout the chamber The repre-
sentatives We're accompanied by the
House employees, who, together with
many of the official attaches OF the Sen
ate, being unable to obtain seats, were
obliged to stand throughout the cere-
mony.
The doors leading to the floor Of the
Senate had been thrown open at eleven
o'clock for the admission of any per-
sons entitled to seats there. Among
those who arrived early were officers of
the army and navy, who had received
the thanks of Congress- which entitled
them to the privilege of taking part in
the ceremonies. They were attired in
full dress uniform, made picturesque by
silver and gold ornaments. Admiral
Dewey and General Bell were also pre-
sent in full uniform as the official rep
rcsentatives of the Army and the Navy.
The committee on arrangements in
charge of the ceremony of inaugural
ing the President and Vice-President
consisted OF Senators Philander Chase
Knox, of Pennsylvania; Henry Cabot
Lodge, of Massachusetts, and Angus
tus Octavius Bacon, of Georgia. on the
part of the Senate, and Represen-
tatives James Francis Burke, Of Penn
sylvania, Horace Olin Young, of Michi-
gar, and John Wesley Gaines, of Ten
neasee, on the part of the House. This
committc escorted Mr.. Sherman, the
Vice President-elec to the chamber
and later performed the same service
Tor the President and the President
elect. Each of these distinguished per-
so:lages received his full quota of at
tention, and although the rules of the
Senate forbid applause, there was
pronounced demonstration in the gal
leries which Vice-President Fairbanks,
who was in the chair, did not hasten To
suppress. During these outbursts ladies
waved handkerchiefs and each of the
recipients of this attention made smi:-
ing as acknowledgment Mr. Taft raised
his eyes to the Senator's gallery in
which Mrs. Taft and other members of
his family We're seated, and nodded
recognition. Mrs. Taft responded with
a smile.
The two most conspicuous seats in
the Senate We're reserved for the Presi-
lent and President-e elect, both OF whom
faced the presiding officer, the Presi-
dent in the front row on the right side
Of the aisle, and the President-elect on
the left Members of the cabinet were
also given places in the front row of
seats near Mr.. Roosevelt, and the COM
,.,it 4
near them.
Mr. Sherman was at oEce escorted up
the steps to the desk of the Vice-Pres-
dent and was given a seat on his right.
There the oath of Office was admins
tered to him by Nice-President Fair
banks, this being the first of the func-
TONS performed after the gathering of
the asscmblagc. Mr.. Fairbanks raised
his right hand and Mr.. Sherman as
sumed a like position. The Words of
the oath of Office were pronounced in
clear resounding voice and the response
was distinctly heard in every portion of
the chamber, where, except as it was
broken by the voices of the officials
themselves. quiet reigned supreme for
the time. The ceremony was simple
but of tense interest, and spectators
We're duly impressed.
AS Mr.. Sherman lowered his right
hand it was grasped in congratulation
by his predecessor and a ripple of APP
plause was heard throughout the gall
leries.
At the instance Of Senator Culber-
son, chairman of the Democratic eau
Gus, the Senate adopted the following
resolutions expressive of it's apprecia-
ton of the able and impartial manner
in which the Vice-President had pre-
sided over that body during four years,
as follows:
Resolved, That the thanks of the
Senate are hereby rendered to Hon.
Charles w Fairbanks for the digni-
fed, impartial and courteous manner
in which he has presided over its DELHI
erdtions turing the present session"
Mr. Fairbanks delivered his farewell
address, referring with evident emo
ton to the uniform support that had
been given him, and to the pleasant
associations throughout his admins
tration.
AS soon as Mr.. Fairbanks had COM
pleted his remarks a motion to adj
journ the Senate sine die was adopted.
The gavel was then presented to the
new Nice-Presdent and Mr.. Sherman
at once called to order the Senate of
the 61st Congress. which had met in
Obedience to the Presidential proclama-
ton converting an extraordinary ses-
sion. Rev. Edward Everett Hale, the
distinguished chaplain. clad in heavy
sllken robe. resembling the gowns
Worn by the justices Of the Supreme
Court of the United States, invoked
the divine blessing. and in conclusion
requested the entire assemblage to
join in pronouncing the Lords prayer
Tie response was not very general. but
to the extent that it was the occasion
resembled, for brief time. a religious
rather than an official ceremony.
The proclamation of the President
converting the Senate in extra session
was then read and the VicePresident
delivered his brief inaugural address.
"Senators-Tlere is no need to re-
cite the history of this great legisla
tive body. proud of it though we be:
nor yet to suggest methods which
might in coming time enhance its use
fulness. The world knows the one and
you understand the other.
'In government for and by the