The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-03-04
blizzard Sweeps the East and Changes the Pro-
gram Of Inauguration Exercises at WASH
inq-Eight inches of Snow at CaDital
SLUSH AND SNOW FILL STREETS
Great Crowds Fill the City Regardless of the
Weather Conditions Roosevelt and Taft
90 to Capitol In Closed Carriages

on the platform erected at the east
front of the capitol, Mr.. Taft was in
Quoted into the Office and delivered the
inaugural address in the senate cham
ber Immediately following the in
auguration Vice President Sherman
was swearing in the new members of
the senate. The wind was blowing a
hurricane across the portico 70 the
White House when President Roose-
welt and Mr.. Taft started or the trip
to the capitol. Goodbye, good luck"
the president shouted to the host of
admirers who gathered about the en-
rance of the grounds as he and Mr..
Taft boarded closed carriage for
the morning parade down the avenue.
Returning, the President wore coat
of medium weight but Mr.. Taft was
bundled in heavy fur garment,
brought from Russia. Mr.. Taft smil-
ed and nodded several greetings but
said nothing. The parade then pro-
ceeded to the capitol Reaching the
capitol President Roosevelt went to
his private room and signed a num-
oCi vi DClGlCu WI INOOoCNSlI
and Mrs. T7ft remained at the White
House. Irs Roosevelt turned over
the keys OF the mansion to Mrs. Taft
shortly before eleven o'clock, then left
fiifor the Union station and boarded
train, which will bear she and Ex-
President Roosevelt from Washington.
Mrs. Taft, accompanied by Mrs. Knox
and Mrs. Lodge went to the capitol.
Two secret service men sat on the
| box, at the windows of the carriage
with Mr. Taft and President Roose-
velt Mr.. Taft went at once to the
senate chamber Vice President Sher-
man was early on the ground with his
| family. There was a great crowd at
| the chamber early to witness the in
| auguration. At eleven forty-five, JUS
| tees and senators and Vice President
Fairbanks filed in. Mr.. Sherman en-
tered and Vice President Fairbanks
shook him warmly by the hand and re-
| cited the oath to Mr.. Sherm IN and as
the latter kissed the bible as the gavel
\ of Vice President Fairbanks fell for
| the last time. With a prayer by Chap
| lain Hall, Sherman began his address.
Taft and Roosevelt entered the cham
Der arm in arm and proceeded to the
| front to the chairs reserved ror them.
Taft and Sherman Sworn in
WASHINGTON, March 4.-Presi-
dent w. H. Taft and Vice President
James S. Sherman formally assumed
the reins of the government of the
J United States at noon today. The
new administration was born amidst
the scenes of turmoil so far as the
elements are concerned, but launched
with enthusiasm Snow, sleet and
rain were defied by the thousands, the
, crowds taking to the street and cheer
, ing the outgoing and the incoming
, pre- iGents.
The signal for the first real dem
, onstration of the day Was sounded
? from a ten-inch gun from the navy
yard a mile away in response to a
flash from the dome of the capitol at
12:55 conveying the information that
the new president had been sworn in.
The boom of the gun was taken up
by every noise producing instrument
, in the District of Columbia. For fif-
teen minutes pandemonium reigned
with mingled shrieks of tin horns,
cheering and steam whistles
. Elements lnterferred.
NEW YORK, March 1.-The storm
, here is unprecedented, the sleet and
. snow having prevailed all night and
! Is at this hour showing hard aid drift
> ing snow at every corner Everything
. is almost at standstill. The streets
are full of ice. snow and s'ush, and
e practically impossible"
5 The above message received at the
n Western Union Office here gives a
/ fair idea of the conditions in Wash
;. ington.
y At eleven a. m the New York station
e of the United Wireless company es-
tablished communication with Wash
i ington. The operator there stated
!. there was eight inches OF snow and
e the blizzard was still raging. Ac-
{ cording to the operator the indications
at that hour were that the parade
|. would probably be confined exclusive
J. ly to the troops on hand for the oc-
n casion. The trip of the outgoing and
{ incoming presidents to the white