Evening star., 1909-03-04

several days and nights. But when the
hour Of noon approached and found them
indication of the strain to which they had
been subjected. The entire membership
of the Senate had been seated at the right
of the presiding officer. and facing him.
Nearly the entire left side had been re-
served for the diplomatic corps and men,
while special seats In the front row were
set aside for the members of the Supreme
Court of the United States who attended
in body. and for cabinet officers
Every available seating space in the
galleries was filed. The array Of beau
tiful gowns worn by the ladies presented
scene that suggested social, rather
than an official occasion, and the waving
of delicate fans and the buzz of conver-
sation lent Zest and animation to the
scene. In the front row of the senator's
gallery were the families of the President
and the President-elect and OF the Vice
President and the Vice President-elect.
Mrs. Taft was there with her daughter,
Miss Helen Taft. and her son. Robert,
both home from college, to be present on
this occasion, together with "Charlie,' the
youngest member of the family, who was
beaming in anticipation of the great event
in which his father was the central fig
ure of interest. The Presidents brothers.
Charles P. Henry W. and Howard. were
also present. as were Mrs. Roosevelt Mrs.
Sherman, with her sons and daughters,
Mrs. Fairbanks and members of the Vice
Presidents family. and many others in
timately connected with the chief actors
in this historic scene
Beautiful Women Everywhere.
The diplomatic gallery was reserved in
the main for the ladies of the corps,
many of whom were familiar with the
gorgeous coronation ceremonies Of mon
archical governments, and who witnessed
for the first time the simple induction
into office of the chief magistrate of The
great republic. Everywhere there were
beautiful women with faces radiant in
anticipation of the historic proceeding.
While the galleries We're being filled
the principals in the drama were assem-
bling in readiness to enter the chamber,
according to thoroughly ordered arrange
ments. The President and the President
elect were in the Presidents ROOM the
mural decoration of which, the work of
the famous Brumid.. has gained it the
distinction of being the most ornate
apartment in the Capitol. Mr.. Roosevelt,
accompanied by members of his cabinet.
had arrived early to attach his signature
to measures the passage of which had
been delayed by the rush of business
during the close of the session. and had
been very busly occupied In the last
hours of his administration. The Vice
President and Vice President-elect were
in the almost equally elegant apartment
at the other end or the marble lobby
which is occupied by the Vice President
throughout the sessions of Congress. and
is designated as the Vice Presidents
room. The diplomatic corps assembled
in the lobby. where the ambassadors and
ministers awaited an invitation to enter
The entrance into the chamber of the
several bodies of officials was announced
by Assistant DoorkeepeEs Stewart and
Keller in clear and distinct tones. The
Supreme Court of the United States"
was called. and the venerable chief JUS
tice followed by the eight associate jus
tices in their official gowns of black. and
accompanied by the officers of the court
came in slowly. and all were conducted
to large leather-covered chairs. which
had been placed along the front of the
chamber facing the Vice President, and
on his right.
Gorgeous Court Dresses.
Then came the ambassadors and MN
listers of foreign countries in their gar
geous dresses. The ambassador from
Italy. the dean of the corps. was the first
to enter. being followed by the ambassa-
dors from Austria Hungary. France
Germany. Brazil. Russia Mexico. Great
Britain, Japan and Turkey i'm the order
named. They were given seats near the
central isle Immediately behind the space
reserved for the members OF the Presi-
dents cabinet
Tie House of Representatives formed