Evening journal., 1909-03-04
TAFT TAKES OATH
INSENATECHAMBER
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early this morning were atill far away
from the sccen OF the Inauguration.
Many persons were reported TO have
been injured by being struck by limbs
OF trees that had blown down into the
streets or by slipping and railing on
the icy pavcments. As the morning
vent on the snow kept coming down
and Il was not until after IL o'clock
that there was a break in the gloomy
overhanging sky.
President Roosevelt and Judge Taft
started from the White House in a
closed carriage shortly after 1890 ana
reached the capitol at about 10.45 ac-
companied by o detail OF Secret Ser
Vice men and the committee of arr
rang genacnts. IL was stated at that
time that the inauguration ceremonies
would take place az about noon in
either the supreme court room, or the
senate chamber. The ceremonies wcru
originally scheduled for II a. m.
Hold Ceremonies in Senate Chamber.
OWING to tho storm, the inaugural cere-
monies were held In the United States
Senate Chamber instead OF at the East
Front Of the Capitol. where former Prosi-
dents have taken the oath Of office.
Because Of this comparatively few per-
sons-only high officials Of this country
and diplomatic representatives OF foreign
countries being admitted along with other
favored and influential ones who obtained
places within the chamber.
In the executive galleries were the Taft.
Fairbanks. and sherman families, and
they were the center OF attraction TO
everyone until the actual ceremonies be-
gun.
The Senators were grouped on the right
of the center aisle Of the chamber. At
1l.fS the first Of the participants, the
justices Of the Supreme Court in their
black robes and headed by Chief Justice
Fuller. filed in and were seated. They were
quickly followed by the members OF the
diplomatic corps, and then came the
House OF Representatives.
Governors OF States. and officlaldom
in every branch followed and almost
before they had settled back in their
places there was a sound OF cheering
from the corridors and through the
main portals came President Roosevelt
and President-oloct TAFT. arm in arm
They were escorted down the aisle to
the two chairs reserved for them by
the committee Senator's Knox. Lodge.
and Bacon. and Representatives Burke.
Young and Gaines. As the two dis
tinguished men proceeded down the
aisle they were chcered TO the echo
by galleries and floor.
At exactly 10 o'clock the committee
re-appcared accompanied by Vice.
Presidont-elcct sherman. Nicc-Prcsl-
Fairbanks shook him warmly by the
hand. and tho Incoming official. aftc;
a hastv glance at the crowded chamber
turned and faced the man be was n
succeed. The oath OF Office was re-
cited 60 Mr.. sherman by Mr.. Fair
banks. and as he kissed the Bible
preferred 10 him. the gaVcl Of Vice.
President Fairbanks fell for the last
time. the Sixteenth Congress had ad-
iourned for the last time and and IL
was former Vice President Fairbanks
and President sherman.
Taking up the ivory gavol laid down
by his predecessor. Mr.. sherman rap
ped sharply and called on Chaplain Ed
ward Everett Hale for tho usual
prayer with the finishing OF the
prayer Mr. sherman buttonod his irociS
coat and stepping forward 10 the front
Of tho desk began his inaugural ad-
dress.
President Takes Oath.
The oath Of Office was administered
20 President Taft at 1855
O'Clock. Chief Justice Fuller
left his chair and advanced toward the
places occupied by President Roose-
Welt and President-clcct Taft Mr.
Taft promptly rose TO his feet and
met the white-haired Justice az tn,
center OF the rostrum. James II. Nc.
Kenney. Clerk Of the Supreme Court
advanced with massive copy Of tn,
Bible and almost before the vast gath.
erlng of people knew what was trans
pirng, Mr.. Taft had taken the oath O
Office, repeating these words slowl,
and distinctly after the Chief Justice
Il do solemnly swear that viii
faithfully execute the Office OF Presi
dent Of the United States. and will. t,
the best Of my ability. preserve, pro
tcct and defend the Constitution O
the United States"
A second later the crowd saw MI
Taft press his lips 20 the Holy Book
4 signal was flashed from the dom
Of the Capitol TO the Navy Yard.
mile away. and was answered by tn
booming of a tcn-inch gufi.-and then b.
other cannon and a chorus Of stear
whistles. Long before the naval gum
deep voice had finished it's twenty-one
syllabled message all the people O
Washington and an the thousands q
visitors who could not get near tn
scene knew that another administra
tion had begun.
A. the time President Taft was inaugu
rated the wind was blowing a hurrlcan
and the snow was swirling about the out
side stands, which It had been hoped 4
use.
II was l.So o'clock when President Tai
finished his inaugural address