The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-03-04
UNPRECEDENTED SCENES
IN PRESIDENTS OFFICE
Leavetakings Are Affecting to Many
Who Have Been Associated With
the President During the
Past Seven Years.

Washington, March "A vast army of
people tonight tramped the streets of the
national capital in a downpour of rain
in eager expectancy of the nations great
est of all pageants.
Congress practically cleared its decks,
both houses working under high pres
sure President Roosevelt and President
elect Tart tonight slept under the same
roof after a strenuous day spent in re-
ceiving callers. All the members of the
cabinet resigned in accordance with GUS
tom, and the Iabors of the inaugural
committee were completed.
Numberless hosts have gathered here
from all parts of the country awaiting
the coming of tomorrow's S spectacle when
Mr.. Taft will be inducted into the highest
office in the gift of the people. In spite
of the threatening Clouds which hung
overhead during the day and afternoon
and later turned into a drenchings.dow
pour of rain, the visiting thousands did
not allow their ardor to be dampened or
their interest in the spirit of the festive
occasion to be lessened by the disagree
able weather. On account of the dark
clouds which overcast the city it was
time to light government and other office
buildings in the city. Pennsylvania ave.
hue tonight along its mile and quarter
of length from the capitol to the treas
ury was rainbathed asphalt mirror for
long golden fairy dances from the arches
above.
Programme VIII Go Through.
1t is believed that Mr.. Taft and Mr.
will ha ind iptn
cording to the programme. The finishing
touches in the decorative scheme of the
magnificent court of honor were finished
today and the final rehearsal of the or
chestra for the inaugural ball at the pen
sion office building Was held. Pennsyl-
vania avenue will be cleared of all We
hicles. street cars anG pedestrians at
O'Clock, by an order issued by the super
1ntendent of police today.
The hotels and boarding houses have
been taxed to their utmost to accommo-
date the visitors, $4,000 of whom are
estimated to have arrived by rail to-
day.
The Familiar figure of a commander
in-chief of the Grand Army of the Re-
public will be missing in the parade to-
morrow, as Henry M. Nevius, the present
head of that organization today tele-
graphed that he would be unable to
attend because of an accident which
of the United Spanish War veterans
Charles w. Newton, with other officers
of that organization who arrived here to-
day, will march in the division which
will accompany the presidential party to
the capitol tomorrow.
All of the executive departments will
be closed for tomorrow's event
Unprecented Scenes.
Men who have been 90 years at the
White House have no recollection of
scenes such as were witnessed here to-
day in the closing hours of President
Roosevelt's administration. The latter's
retirement was unprecedented In MANY
ways but chiefly in the hundreds of peo-
pie who called to exchange farewell words
with the retiring chief executive AL
though no exact count of the number of
visitors was kept it is estimated that
between 10 a. m. and p m. there were
at least 25O0.
The President stood the test with the
hardihood and joyousness that made
his greetings to every man or woman
more pleasant than usual. During all
this time he stopped at intervals to
sign bills coming in from Congress or
to attach his name to photographs
brought to him. The President signed
the District of Columbia, the fortihca-
tions the army and naval appropria-
tion bills. The latter bill contained the
provision designed to restore the ma
rines to the ships of the navy, from
which they were taken by the order
OF the President.
The Brownsville bill, which permits
the discharged negro soldiers of the
Twenty-hfth infantry to re-enlist in
the army upon establishing their in
nocence has not yet reached the Presi-
dent, but 1t was said today he had de-
cided to sign it.
Visits to White House.
Every cabinet officer in the citv
went to the White House during the
day with the heads of the bureau ana
the principal officials of their depart-
ments.
President Roosevelt spent a busy aft
ernoon.
Among those received by appoint
ment were the members of the inter
state commerce commission. The Presi
dent exchanged with each member cor
dial personal greetings. Chairman
Knapp, speaking for the commission.
said that the country was Indebted to
the Presidents persistent efforts and
commanding influence for notable
measures of regulation. In response
the President said that you have done
the work while 1 have seemed to get
the credit for it. I have tried to be a
decent President for decent people,
At o'clock this evening he re-
ceivsd his old friends from Oyster Bay