The Washington herald., 1909-03-05


Presidents chair in the Senate pointed
70 !, the crowded chamber was stiIl. and
with bated breath hundreds Of anxious
spectators peered forward as William
Howard Taft repeated the oath Of Office
as President, administered by Chief
Justice Fuller
Never before in the history Of the na-
ton had such a distinguished gathering
been assembled IN tie stately hail Am
bassadors, statesmen, and citizens. dis
regarding proDriety. Joined in one long
cheer as the new President kissed the
Bible as ne uttered the words so help
me God"
Event Was Unique.
For the first time since ISS. when An
drew Jackson was sworn in as Chief
Executive. the Senate chamber had been
The scene OF the Inauguration
The audicnce that gathered yesterday in
cluded only those who had been specially
invited 10 witness the swearing into Office
Of the Vice President and the new Sen
atorS and although the mass OF humanity
gathered about tire front OF the Capitol
may have been more euthuse5 al witness
ing the proceedings. the s9ay-haired dip
Iouats. Senators. ard jurists were not
lacking i'm their appreciation Of the event
Owing 90 the stormy weather the gal
Iries did not present that variety Of coi0-
So familiar 20 the inaugural festivities
OF other years.
The doors were swung o7cn ~ l9 O'Clock
and from that time unti noon The in
vitcd guests strcamed into the chamber
Accompanied by Charles p Taft. broth
e. Of tie President Mrs. Taft. with her
caushte-, Helen Taft. and the two sons
Of the ne- Executive. Henry and
Charlie. were in their places an EouI
before the cc-emouiz s commenced
For those who occupied the other gal
Ierics the family Of the new President
were the cynosue of all eyes.
Mrs Roosevelt and the President.
family 7rere absent
Arrangements All Complete.
Every circumstance connected with the
festivities was completed with delibera-
ton bv the Inaugural Committee. and
when Senator Knox introduced q resolu-
ton shortly after the Senate convened al
il o'clock authorizing the performance OF
tie ceremonies in the Senate the specJa-
tors settled back with contentment
4 few final legislative matters were
being completed when volume Of shouts
pierced through the Capitol walls and
unoficiaHy announced 10 the waiting
crowds the arrival Of the President-elect
This was shortly after Il O'Clock. and
tie remaining minutes were quickly
passed Tor the visitors. who delighted II
following the course Of the proceedings or
the aoor.
The Democratic Senators moved over tC
the Republican side TO make room foI
the Official company that was beginning
10 enter Governors OF the several states
were assigned 10 places on the north side
Of the chamber. and the invited guests oi
the Senators were given seats In the re-
served galleries
Led By Baron HenSelmUller- the Ger
man Ambassador. the diplomatic corp:
appeared al the door al u:45 O'Clock. and
their presence was marked by the Sena
tors rising in a body. The ministers
pIenIpotentiary. numbering tWenty-seven
were the next 20 enter. and they In turI
were greeted by the Senate
Supreme Court Enters.
a few minutes later CHIEF Justice FuIle,
and his associates entered the chambe
and occupied the seats on the front row
facing the Vice Presidents rostrum.
Unannounced and without any display
the members Of President ROOseveltt
Cabinet entered by the lobby door ant
took their places in the row occupied b,
the ambassadors.
The striking court uniforms Of the for
eign diplomats highly embelIished wit
gold and silver lace presented a marke
contrast 20 the somber gowns Of IN
members Of the Supreme Court and tn
formal attire OF the nations legislators
Another rap Of the gavel, more rising
more bowling. and an announcement tha
the Speaker and the members Of tn
House Of Representatives were az hand
The Representatives arrival was delayed
and it was few minutes past noon whe,
they fled in more than 800 in number
their head.
Their entry called for more applause
and as TIE venerable Uncle Joe too
his place al the right of the Vice Presi
dent. he came in for his snare Of hand
cIappug. The setting Tor the great even
was now almost complete.
AFmy and Navy on Hand.
officers Of the army and navy. anon
them Admiral Sperry and Gen J. Frank
lin Bell, came in as inconspieuously a
they could and took the places reserve
for them.
Several hundred spectators were maSse
about the doors leading TO the chambel
and had TO be contented with standin
and getting a glimpse of the interior a
best they could
The entrance Of the various official
took good deal Of time. and people weT
wondering what woo5d come next as Ser
ators CuIlom and Teller appeared and ar
noUnced that President Roosevelt Ia
been notified that Congress had complete
Its work and was ready to adjourn.
After that everybody got intensely in
terested in watching the main enTanc'
\ loud whaek % Vice President Faii