The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-03-11
The Inauguration Ceremonies.

Thursday in Washington was a wild
day of storms and billiards and slush.
When the two leading characters in
the days ceremonies met at the
breakfast table with the world all
white outside and the song of the
blizzard ringing in their ears, Mr..
Taft and President Roosevelt were as
happy as two boys: III knew it would
be a cold day when l was made Presi-
dent of the United States," exclaimed
Mr.. Taft. "And l knew there would
be blizzard clear up to the moment
| went out of Office" rejoined Presi-
dent Roosevelt.
The change in the place of cere-
monies had to be made from the
great stand erected along the east
front of the Capitol to the Senate
chamber, much to the sorrow of air.
Taft, who wanted to meet his country
men face to face. He was the first
chief executive to take the oath of
Office in the chamber of the Senate
for seventy six years.
When President Roosevelt and Mr..
Taft were announced at the main door
of the Senate Chamber opposite the
presiding officers desk, the auditori-
UNI of the upper branch of Congress
held what was probably its most bril-
liant assemblage of dignitaries of state
and nation and richly uniformed am
bassadors, ministers and special rep
resentatives from practically every
country of the civilized world. The
oath of office was administe red by the
venerable Chief Justice Fuller, who
officiated for the fifth time in that ca
pacity. When Mr.. Taft at last had
kissed the Bible there was an out
by the chief justice and President
ton of the immediate policies of his
administration in his inaugural adj
dress. He was in fine voice, and the
points made were received with great
applause. The address ended, Mr..
Roosevelt made his way to the plat
form, grasped the hand of the new
President and alter minute of con
versation, the parting came, Mr..
Roosevelt making his way to the
carriage that was in waiting to take
him to the train that was to convey
him to his home at Oyster Bay. He
was everywhere applauded. Presi-
dent Taft and wife entered the Presi-
Dental carriage and were driven to
the White House.
In the afternoon, through snow and
slush ankle deep, occurred the parade
of troops and civic bodies. The par
ade was replete with interest. The
three thousand blue jackets from the
recently returned Atlantic feet shar-
ed honors among the military with
the Cuban army of pacification, just
back from the southern island, and
appearing in all the paraphernalia
of active service in the field. The
trim cadets from West Point attracted
unusual attention and made a charac-
teristically fine showing. The line
was reviewed by the President and
Vice President.
The eliminating event of the day
was the inaugural ball in the pension
building which had been transformed
into a, canopied court of ivory and
white. With all the color and move
ment of military spectacle, with the
influence of delicately tinted gowns
and the interest of personnel sell
dom equalled at social function, the
inaugural ball holds place unique in
the history making of a day. Presi-
dent Taft appeared particularly
light hearted and unmindful of Sc
rious things. He and Mrs. Taft and
Vice President and Mrs. Sherman
made their promenade around the
great hall. While the ball was in
progress in doors, display of fire.
works on the monument lot in the
rear of the White House marked the
end of the outdoor celebration.