Evening star., 1909-03-04

In line in the corridor in the southern
end of the Capitol. and, accompanied by
members-elect, who were soon to take
their places in the next Congress,
marched slowly to the Senate door. which
they entered two by two Speaker Can
non, at the head of the column. was at
once escorted to a raised chair on rhe
left of the Vice President. members of
the House and members-elect taking seats
assigned them throughout the chamber.
The representatives were accompanied by
the House employees. who. together with
many of the official attaches of the Sen
ate. being unable to obtain seats. We're
obliged to stand throughout the ceremony
The doors leading to the floor of the
Senate had been thrown open at II
O'Clock for the admission of any persons
who arrived early were officers of the
army and navy who had received the
thanks of Congress. which entitled them
to the privilege of taking part in the
ceremonies. They were attired in full
dress uniform, made picturesque by sill
yer and gold ornaments. Admiral Dewey
and Gen. Bell were also present in full
uniform as the official representatives
of the army and navy.
In Charge of Arrangements.
The committee on arrangements in
charge of the ceremony of inaugurating
the President and Vice President con-
sisted OF Senators Philander Chase Knox
of Pennsylvania, Henry Cabot Lodge of
Massachusetts and Augustus Octavius
Bacon of Georgia on the part of the Sen
ate, and Representatives James Francis
Burke of Pennsylvania Horace Olin
Young Of Michigan and John Wesley
Gaines of Tennessee on the part of the
House. This committee escorted Mr. Sher-
man, the Vice President-elect. to the
chamber and later performed the same
service for the President and the Presi-
dent-elect. Each of these distinguished
Dersonages received his full quota of at
tention, and although the rules of the
Senate forbid applause. there was a pro-
nounced demonstration in the galleries
which Vice President Fairbanks who was
in the chair, did not hasten to suppress
During these outbursts ladies waved
handkerchiefS and each Of the recipients
OF this attention made smiling acknowl-
edgnent. Mr.. Taft raised his ewes to
the senator's gallery, in which Mrs Taft
and other members of his family were
seated, and nodded recognition. Mrs Taft
responded with smile.
The two most conspicuous seats in the
Senate were reserved for the President
ana PreS1Gent-elect, both of when faced
the presiding officer. the President in the
front row on the right side of the aisle
and the President-eleGt on the left Mem
bers of the cabinet were also given places
In the front row of seats near Mr. Roose-
ven Shd the members of the comm ttee
Mr.. Sherman was at once escorted I'D
the steps 10 the desk of the Vice Pres-
dent. and was given a seat on his right.
There the oath of Office was administered
TO him by Vice President Fairbanks. this
being the first of the functions performed
after the gathering of the assemblage
Mr. Fairbanks raised his1right hand and
Mr. Sherman assumed like position
Subscribes to the Oath.
The words of the oath of office were
pronounced in clear, resOunding voice.
and the response was distinctly heard in
every portion of the chamber, where ex-
cept as it was broken by the voices of the
officials themselves, quiet reigned supreme
for the time. The ceremony was simple.
but of tense interest. and spectators were
duly impressed.
AS Mr. Sherman lowered his right hand
1t was grasped in ,ccngratulation by his
predecessor. and ripple of applause was
heard throughout the galleries.
At the instance of Senator Culberson
chairman of the democratic caucus the
Senate adopted the following resolution
expressive of its appreciation of the able
and impartial manner in which the Vice
President had presided over that body
during four years:
Resolved. That the thanks of the Sem
ate are hereby rendered to Hon Charles
W. Fairba. II" for the dignitied. impartial