Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-03-11
SHERMAN ASSUMES
CHARGE Of SENATE
TAKES OATH IN PRESENCE OF
DISTINGUISHED GATHERING
OF STATESMEN.

| Washington, D. c., March with
simplicity and dignity in keeping with
American traditions the initial pro,
cedure attending the Inauguration of
the president of the United States,
which included the swearing in of
the vice-president and OF all the in
coming senators, was conducted in
the senate chamber in the presence of
distinguished company consisting of
leading officials of the three co-Or-
dinate branches of the government
and the diplomatic representatives of
practically every nation of the world
Senators Isaac Stephenson of Wis
/ cOnsin and Albert j. Hopkins of Hi
nois were not permitted to take the
oath Of office nor will the latter be I'M
til his title is cleared either by the &C.
ton of the legislature of that state
or by determination of the committee
on privileges and elections of the SEN
ate, and finally by the adoption or re-
lection Of the report of that commit
tee by the senate itself. Mr.. Stephen
sons election, which occurred yester-
Iday, was too late to get a certificate
of election to Washington in time for
the inauguration.
For the occasion the entire member
| ship of the senate was seated at the
right OF the presiding officer. and fac
ing him. The entire left side was re-
served for the diplomatic corps and
members of the house of representa-
tives, while special seats in the front
row were set aside for the members
of the supreme court of the United
States and for cabinet officers.
The two most conspicuous seats in
the senate were reserved for the
president and president-eleCt on the
left. Members of the cabinet were
also given places in the front row of
seats near Mr.. Roosevelt
Mr.. Sherman was at once escorted
up the steps to the desk of the vice
| president and was given a seat on his
right. There the oath of office was
administered to him by Vice-President
| Fairbanks, this being the first of the
| functions performed after the gather
ing of the assemblage. Mr.. Fairbanks
raised his right hand and Mr.. Sher-
man assumed a like position. The
words of the oath of office were pro-
nounced in a clear voice and the re-
spouse was distinctly eheard in every
! portion of the chamber.
At the instance of Senator Culbert-
son, chairman of the democratic eau
Gus, the senate adopted resolutions
expressive of appreciation of the abe
and impartial manner in which Vice
President Fairbanks had presided
over the body during the four year,
Mr.. Fairbanks delivered his fare
well address, referring with evident
emotion to the uniform support that
had been given him, and to the pleas
and associations throughout his ad-
ministration.
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 Vice-president and Mr. Sherman
at once called to order the senate of
the sixty-ffrst congress, which had
met in obedience to the presidential
proclamation converting an extraor-
binary session. Rev Edward Everett
Hale, the distinguished chaplain, clad
in a heavy silken robe, resembling
the gowns worn by the justices of the
supreme court of the United States,
invok ed the divine blessing, and in
conclusion requested the entire as
semblage to join in pronouncing the
lords prayer. The response was not
very general, but to the extent that 1t
was the occasion resembled, for q
brief time, a religious rather than an
official ceremony.
The proclamation of the president
converting the senate in extra session
was read and the yice-pTesident deliv-
cred his inaugural address. Mr.. Sher-
man spoke briefly saying there was no
need to recite the history of the great
BODY over which he had been chosen
to preside. "The vice-president is not
one of the makers of the law said
Vice President Sherman. His duties
are rather to regulate in this body the
method of making them; to regulate,
not in accord with his will and ideas.
but in accord with rules which you
yourselves have established. 1t is for
the presiding officer to require you to
act in conformity with your self-im-
posed regulations just as it is the
duty of the supreme court to deter
mine If your action is in accord with
the constitution.