The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-03-11

OcIlt Oh Tic OlAAtOo NAoeSo
Ceremonies Held in Senate
Chamber on Account Of Bad
Weather-Rain, Sleet and
Snow Interfere With Open
Air Exercises and Mar Bril-
liant Pageant.
Washington, March 4th.
The first Chief Executive to take
the oath OF office in the chamber of
the Senate in seventy-slx years,
William Howard Taft, today became
President OF the United States.
Accompanied to the Capitol by
President Roosevelt and a guard of
honor through a swirl of binding
snow, Mr.. Taft returned to the White
House Just as the sun began to force
it's way through the thinning clouds
of gray. A sudden blizzard sweeping
in from the Northwest last night,
caused an abandonment of the out
door ceremonies Oh the famous east
front Of the Capitol, much to Mr..
Taft's chargrin, and threatened for
time to stop the brilliant pageant OF
the afternoon.
BY almost superhuman efforts a
passage way was cleared along the
centre of Pennsylvania avenue and for
nearly three hours President Taft
and Vice-PresidentS Sherman reviewed
a passing column which was replete
with martial splendor and pictur-
esque civic display.
Following the brilliant and i'm
pressive ceremonies in the Senate
Chamber during which both Presi-
dent and Vice-President took the
oath of office, President Roosevelt
again a private citizen-bade an
adieu to his successor while ali in the
historic chamber looked on in silence
and then hurried away through a
side door to take the train for New
York. As he passed out of the cham
Der Mr.. Roosevelt was given an ova-
tion quite the equal OF that rendered
to the new President.
President and Mrs. Taft were the
centres of interest at the eliminating
feature of the memorable day-the
inaugural ball in the Pension Build
ing. The scene in the vast cavern OF
the building, which had been trans
formed into IL canopied court OfivOry
ard white was another of the brilliant
pictures which are quadrennially
painted here by the gathering OF Il
vast and brilliant assemblage from
every section of the country. With
all the color and movement OF Il
military spectacle, with the sOftening
influence of delicately tinted gowns
and the interest of II peronnel seldom
equaled at social junction, the
inaugural ball holds n place unique
in the histOry-rnaking Of the day.
While the ball was in progress i'll
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 fierce ''cObras," aerial
salutes, floating fpstOons and illumi-
mated balloons.
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 Z o'clock, and had stopped in at
the Metropolitan Club to say ii few
words at the dinner OF the class of
rs at Yale.
Mr.. Taft's day was one of con-
tinuing cheers from his appearance
on the White House portico this
morning until he returned late to-
night. an unwilling leavetaker from
the dancing.
Mr.. and Mrs. Taft were the guests
of the ROOsevelts at the White House
last night, setting "a new precedent in
the courtesies of the Executive Man
sion as they did again today when
Mrs. Taft accompanied the newly
made President and Mr.. Sherman,
the Vice President, from the Capitol
at the head of the imposing parade
to the White House. The presidential
carriage, drawn by four bay horses,
which had been closed against the
storm as President Roosevelt and
Mr.. Taft made their way to the Capt.
toll, was thrown open as the return
journey was begun and President
Taft, quickly recognized by the crowds
which stood enthusiastically unmind-
full of the ankle deep snow and slush
nh To-, IL
the great distances of the avenue.