Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1909-03-10

Ihtough a swirl of binding snow, Mr..
Taft returned to the Whit? House just
as. the sun began to @5rce its way
through the thinning clouds of gray
A sudden blizzard sweeping in from
the northwest to set awry the weather
bureaus optimistic promise of fair
and somewhat colder" caused an aban
dOnment of the outdoor ceremonies on
the famous east front of the capitol,
much to Mr.. Taft's .chagrin, and also
threatened for a time to stop the bril-
liant pageant of the afternoon.
By almost supeThumah efforts a pas
sageway was cleared along the center
of Pennsylvania avenue. however, and
for nearly three hours President Taft
and Vice President Sherman reviewed
passing column which was replete
with martial splendOr aid picturesque
with civic display
Mr.. RooseVek's Affeetionate Farewell.
Following the brilliant and impress
sive ceremonies in the senate during
which both president and vice presi-
dent took the oath of Office, President
Roosevelt. again a private citizen. babe
an affectiOnate adieu to his successor
while all in the historic chamber look
ed on in silence, and then hurried
away through a side door to take a
train for New York. AS he passed out
of the chamber Mr.. Roosevelt was
given an ovation quite the equal of
that rendered to the new president.
Outside the capitol the retiring chief
executive was met by 800 members
Of the New York county committee,
and under their escort was driven to
the Union station, a short three blocks
away. A band at the head of the col
umn playing Aud Lang Syne" told
the story of the march, and Mr.. Roose-
welt was compelled time and time
again to acknowledge the cheers from
the throng which lined his way.
President and Mrs. Taft at Ball.
President and Mrs. Taft were the
centers of interest at the eliminating
feature of the memorable day-the in
augural ball in the pension building.
The scene in the cavernOus building
which had been transformed into
canOpied court of ivory and white,
was another of the brilliant pictures
which are quadrennially painted here
by the gathering of vast and brilliant
assemblage from every section of the
country. With all the color and move
ment of a military spectacle, with the
softening influence of delicately tinted
gowns and the interest of a personnel
seldom equalled at a social function,
the inaugural ball holds place unique
in the history making of the day
While the ball was in progress in.
doors a display of fireworks on the
monument lot in the rear of the White
House marked the end of the outdoor
celebration.
For hours the thinly clouded heavens
were alight with screaming rockets.
with sun clusters that challenged the
brilliance of day. with fiery "cobras"
and all the fantastic creations of mol
ern pyrOtechnic skill. Aerial sautes.
floating festOOns. Illuminated balloons
and scores of other features made the
display visible from one end of the
Capitol City to the other
Prior to his visit to the ball, Presi-
dent Taft had entertained at tea in
the White House the members of the
Yale club; had dined with Mrs. Taft
at o'clock, and had stopped in at the
Metropolitan club to say a few words
at the dinner of the class Of rs at
Yale.