Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-03-11
NEW PRESIDENT
TAKES HIS SEAT
INAUGURATION SPECTACLE WAS
SPOILED 6Y BLIZZARD.

Worst Storm IN Twenty Years Visits
Washington March 4.--Csremonies
Had 70 be Held In Senate Chamber.
Tafts inaugural Sustains His Pred
ecessor.--Roosevelt or Soon to Hunt
In Africa.--Tsft Calls Extra Session
to Consider the Tariff.
Tho Inauguration OF President-elect
William II. Taft and Vice President-elect
James s. Sherman took place last week
Thursday In the midst of the worst storm
that has visited Washington in twenty
years. Several inches OF snow, pleet and
rain covered the streets with slush almost
| impassable, and virtually spoiled the en-
tire outdoor program. The Inaugural
ton ceremonies took place in the Senate
chan ber for the first time in almost one
hundred years. Mr. Taft wished to de-
liver his inaugural outdoors in order not
to disappoint the thousands that braved
the elements, but his advisers would not
permit it.
The Tafts were the guests Of the Roose-
velts at the White House Wednesday
night.
At the appointed hour Thursday the
presidential carriage conveying the retir-
ing and incoming presidents left the
White House and proceeded to the capi-
tol. This noted thoroughfare, usually
thronged to witness such a spectacle, was
almost deserted, the people taking refuge
In shelter from the bowling storm Mrs.
Taft and Mrs. Sherman also rode to-
gether to the capitol. A distinguished
group assembled in the Senate chamber,
including the foreign ambassadors and
ministers, the supreme court judges,
cabinet members, senators and represent
atives in Congress. The vice president
was frst inaugurated and read a short ad-
dress, after which Chief Justice Fuller
administered the oath to Mr.. Taft, who
then delivered his inaugural. In it he
referred to Roosevelt as his distinguished
predecessor and announced a continuance
OF the policies that have characterized the
past administration. The first pressing
duty, he said, was a revision of the tariff,
with a reduction in many schedules. He
favored an inheritance tax, upheld the
increase in army and naval strength, sug-
gested changes that would enable the fed
eral government to carry out its treaty
agreements with regard to rights OF
aliens. spoke for a more elastic currency
and postal savings banks, urged ship sub
sid les, defended the lock type OF canal al
Panama, devoted much attention to the
economical and racial conditions OF the
south, outlined his plans toward FEDERAL
office holders in that section and opposed
ths abolition Of the injunction IN labor
troables.
The grand Inauguration ball Thursday
evening in the Pension building was at
tended by $4,000 people.
After the inauguration, Mr.. Roosevelt
drove directly to the depot, where Mrs
Roosevelt had preceded him. They re
eeived q warm demonstration from thous
ands who gathered to see them OF. They
rode in a common Pullman to theil
home at Oyster Bay, n. Y, where they
will remain until the ex-president anC
his party leave for their years hunting
trip in Africa. Mrs. Roosevelt and fami
} ly will spend most OF the interval il
Italy, going later up the Nile to NEE
Mr.. Roosevelt, who. on his return, vii
visit various capitals OF Europe.
Mr.. Taft's cabinet appointments wer
confirmed by the Senate at a special ses
sion. He has summoned Congress in ex
ira session to assemble March 10. Th
new tariff bill already prepared, will b
q considered. There is strong move
ment afoot to revise the House rules.
section OF House Republicans are ready Z
/. act with the Democrats to bring change
about. The president has not take
sides, but hopes that the eight will no
involve the tariff legislation ahead.