The Tupelo journal., 1909-03-12
SNOW STORM MARS INAUGURAL
Great Crowds Which Had Gone to Washington to
Witness Ceremonies We're Disappointed.
Day Was One of Continuous Ovation to the New Chief Ex
ecutive-Ex-President Roosevelt Leaves Capital City
Immediately After Tafts Inauguration.

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York, were inaugurated at noon Thurs
day as president and vice-president OF
the United States. The ceremony of the
Inauguration was accomplished with all
due formality and finality, but Under
most unusual conditions, owing to a ter
rife blizzard which swept over the ma
tional capital, paralyzing street traffic,
destroying communication with the out
side world and bringing dismay to the
thousands of assembled visitors who
had gathered in expectation of the usual
spectacular demonstration.
The main change in the program was
in the inaugural address, usually deliv-
cred from the east portico of the capitol,
but pronounced by Taft in the senate
chamber.
Same Simple Ceremony.
Mr.. Taft's induction into office was
the same simple ceremony devised in the
early days of the republic. He swore
to uphold and defend the constitution, to
enforce all laws and to protect the re-
public against all enemies, both foreign
and domestic.
The oath was administered by Chief
Justice Fuller, who was officiating at
such a ceremony for the last time in his
notable career as the chief presiding Off
Ger of the country's highest court.
President Roosevelt, who had become
again a private citizen of the United
States when President Taft had kissed
the Bible in consummation of his oath,
was quick to congratulate his successor
in office, being second to the chief JUS
tice in exercising that privilege.
Mr.. Taft delivered his inaugural adj
dress in abbreviated form in the senate
chamber.
Escorted to Carriage.
When Taft had concluded he was es-
corted to the waiting carriage outside
the senate wing, and there was joined by
Mrs. Taft and Vice-President Sherman
and Mrs. Sherman for the return ride to
the White House.
President Roosevelt walked out of the
capitol amid a cheering throng, and, es,
corted by nearly 1000 members of the
New York county republican committee,
was driven to the Union Station, several
blocks away, and boarded a train for
New York and Oyster Bay.
Sherman Takes Oath.
Taft's Inauguration Immediately fol
lowed that of Vice-President James S.
Sherman, which was carried out in ac-
cordance with the original program. The
distinguished company which gathered in
the senate to witness the Inauguration
of the vice-president, and which after
ward was to have been escorted to the
immense inaugural stand on the east
front of the capitol, simply remained in
their places in the chamber to view the
more impressive ceremonies attending
the induction into office of the new chief
executive of the nation.
President Roosevelt, arm in arm with
President-elect Taft, entered the crowded
senate chamber shortly after IL o'clock.
Outburst of Applause.
The appearance of those two chief fig
ures in the days events was a signal
for a spontaneous outbreak of applause
ON the floor and of cheers in the CALLER
les.
Speaker Cannon entered the senate
chamber at the head of the house of rep
resentatives and took a place on the pre-
siding officers benckRy the side OF Vice
President Fairbanks
Prior to the entry of the members OF
the house and the distinguished invited
guests, the senate had adopted a resolu-
ton OF thanks to Mr.. Fairbanks, who re-
piled with a farewell address. He then
administered to Mr.. Sherman the brief
oath of office prescribed by the constitu-
ton and turned over to him the presid-
ing officers gavel.
Swept by Blizzard.
Washington was swept by a blizzard
early in the day, and although Taft In
sisted up to almost the last moment that
his Inauguration should be held in front
of the capitol building, as planned, the
committee on arrangements finally de-
cided that the ceremonies should be held
in the senate chamber.
Taft said he did not mind the snow
and the wind in the least, but Senator
Knox, in charge of the program, declared
it would be unwise to subject the aged
chief Justice and the oldest members of
the senate to the adverse weather condi-
tions.
President Roosevelt and Taft were es-
corted to the capitol promptly at the
hour set, their progress through the
binding snow being met with cheers
from a thin fringe of hardy spectators
who braved the elements and stood ankle
deep in snow and slush along the dis
tances of Pennsylvania avenue.
The presidential party entered the cap
itol building at II o'clock and were es-
corted to the presidents room in the
senate wing. Up to the time of leaving
the White House, Taft had his heart set
upon taking the oath of office in front
of the multitude gathered on the capitol
plaza.
Ceremonies Indoors.
After reaching the senate, however,
the counsels of the older members of the
senate prevailed and it was decided that
the ceremonies, for the first time in a
score or more of years, should be held
indoors.
xat ~cl;noino snow. driven before a