Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1909-03-05
TAFT MADE
PRESIDENT IN
SENATE CHAM Der
FIERCE STORM BRINGS DISMAY TO
THOUSANDS WHO HAD PLANNED
TO SEE INAUGURATION.
MARCHERS PLOD IN SLUSH,
Parade, Dimmed by Effect of Weather
Upon Many, Held Over Short
ened Course.
SNOW a FOOT DEEP IN PLACES

WASHINGTON, D. c., March f..
In the Senate chamber, which seldom be-
fore has witnessed 50 impressive a cere-
mony or held more brilliant audience
III the presence of high dignitaries of
state and nation and the ambassadors
and the representatives of every coun-
try Of the civilized world, William I'll.
Taft shortly before / O'Clock today took
oath of office as President of the United
States. A binding snow storm which
swept in upon Washington late last
night and continued throughout the fore
noon, caused an abandonment Of the out
door ceremony at the capitol which here
tofore has marked the Inauguration of
many presidents of the United States.
The change of programme was also
source of deep disappointment to thou
sands Of persons who gathered in the
deep SHOW drifts and slush Of the capitol
plaza i'll the hope of witnessing the tax
ing Of oath by the new President.
Mr.. Taft was extremely anxious the
original plans should be adhered to, but
after he had arrived at the capitol he
gave consent because of the danger that
exposure to the elements would have en-
tailed upon the veteran Chief Justice
Fuller of the supreme court of the Unit
ed States and the elder members of the
Senate and diplomatic corps Mr.. Taft's
Inauguration Immediately followed that
of Vice President James 5. Sherman,
which was carried out i'll accordance
with the original programme.
Taft and Roosevelt Cheered.
President Roosevelt arm in arm with
Presidentelect Taft, entered the crowded
Senate chamber shortly after II o'clock.
The appearance of these two chief fig
ures i'll the days events was a signal
for a spontaneous outbreak of applause
on the floor and of cheers in the gal
lerieS. Speaker Cannon, entering the
Senate chamber at the head of the House
of Representatives took a place on the
presiding officers bench by the side of
Nice-President Fairbanks.
Mr.. Taft's induction into office was the
same simple ceremony devised III the
early days. He swore to uphold and de-
fend the constitution, to enforce all laws
and to protect the republic against all
enemies, both foreign and domestic. The
oath was administered by Chief Justice
Fuller, who was officiating at such
ceremony for the last time in his notable
career as the chief presiding officer of
the country's highest court.
President Is Congratulated
President Roosevelt, who became
again Il private citizen OF the United
States when President Taft had kissed
the Bible in consummation of his oath,
was quick to congratulate his successor
in office, being second to the chief jus
tice in exercising that privilege.
Mr.. Taft delivered his inaugural adj
dress III abbreviated form i'll the Senate
chamber. The address for publication,
however. stands in full. When Mr..
Taft had concluded he was escorted to
the waiting carriages outside the Senate
wing and there was joined by Mrs.
Taft and by Vice President and Mrs.
Sherman Cor the return ride to the white
house.
President Roosevelt walked out of the
capitol amid cheering throng and es-
cOrted by ii thousand members of the
New York Republican committee was
driven to the Union station several
blocks away and boarded a train for
New York and Oyster Bay.
The ceremonies at the capitol ended
at | 40 p. M. after which the Senate
adjourned until l. O'Clock tomorrow,
when it meets in response to the extra
session cali. TO confirm cabinet appoint
mentS.
Inaugural Parade Is Held
BY p. IN. a large street cleaning force
had cleared the central part of Pennsyl-
yania avenue of SNOW and in anticipa-
ton of the parade had been completely
choked with thousands who had gathered
in spite of the slush. The parade was
somewhat dimmed by the effect of the
weather, but it was carried out over a
shortened course.
President Roosevelt and Mr. Taft
were escorted to the capitol promptly
at the hour set this morning, their prog
resS through the binding snow being
met with cheers from d thin fringe of
hardy spectators who braved the ele-
ments and stood ankle-deep in snow and
SluSh along the distances OF PennSyl-
vania avenue.
The presidential party entered the cap
itol building at II o'clock and were
escorted to the Presidents room in the
Senate wing. Up to the time of leav-
ing the white house, Mr.. Taft had his
heart set upon taking the oath in front
of the multitude gathered on the capitol
plaza After reaching the Senate how
ever. the counselS of the elder members
of the Senate prevailed and it was de-
cided that the ceremonies for the first
time in a score or more of years should
be held indoors.
Storm RACES All Night
A wet, clinging snow, driven before
singing northwest wind. fell through
out the night and wrought havoc with
telephone and telegraph wires, complete
IL cutting off the capital city from com
munication with the remainder of the
country for many hours. Snow and
slush filled the streets to the depth of a
foot or more in places. The wind
threshed many of the eity's prettiast
decorations TO threads. The immense
reviewing stands along the line of march
were made we'll night uninhabitable by
the swiriing snow. Street car and rail
way traffic We're imDeded TO the extent
seriously delaying the arrival of thou
sands who had planned to attend the
inaugural ceremonies.
President-eect and Mrs. Taft spent