The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-03-05

executive to take the oath of office in the chamber of the Senate in 76 years. William Howard Taft today because President of the United States.
 Accompanied to the capitol by Pres ident Roosevelt, and a guest of honor through swirl of blinding snow, MT. Taft returned to the White House just as the sun began to force it's way through the thinning clouds of rain. A sudden blizzard sweeping in from the northwest last night, to set awry the weather bureaus optimistic promise of flair and somewhat cooler" caused an abandonment of the outdoor ceremony on the famous east front of the capi- tol, much to MT. Tafts chagrin. and threatened for time to stop the bril- liant pageant of the afternoon.
 By almost superhuman efforts a pas sageway was cleared along the center of Pennsylvania avenue, however, and for nearly three hours President Taft and Vice President Sherman reviewed a passing parade which was replete with martial splendor and picturesque civic display.
 During the brilliant and impressive ceremonies in the Senate, during which both President and Vice President took the oath of office, President Roosevelt again a private citzen-bade an af- fectionate adieu to his successor, while all in the historic chamber looked on in silence, and then hurried away through a side door to take train for New Y York. AS he passed out of the chamber, MT. Roosevelt was given an ovation quite the equal of that rendered to the new President
 Roosevelt's Escort.
 Outside the capitol the retiring chief executive was met by 800 members of the New York county committee, and under their escort was driven to the Union station a short three blocks away. A band at the head of the eoiimn playing Aud Lang Syne" told the story of the march and MT. Roose- welt was compelled time and time again to acknowledge the cheers from the throngs which lined his way.
 There was wait of nearly two hours at the station during which MT. Roose- welt held an impromptu reception in the presidential suite Many of his old 1T10nuS, dIlOu6 tHSIil tA-OihSiulS cL thS diplomatic corps, sought him there for a final word of farewell. As he made his way to the train, shortly after o'clock, MT. Roosevelt was cheered by thousands
 To all with whom he spoke, MT. Roosevelt declared that while he had bully time" as President he was glad to lay down the duties of office He paid tribute to his successor and especially commented upon the lat ter's inaugural address as a splendid effort.
 President and Mrs. Taft were the centers of interest at the eliminating feature of the memorable day-the in- augural ball in the pension building. The scene in the vast cavern of the building, which had been transformed into a canopied court of ivory and white, was another of the brilliant pictures which quadrennially painted here by the gathering of a vast and brilliant assemblage of every sec tion of the country. With all of the color and movement of military spec tacle, with the softening influence of 
 terest of personnel seldom equalled at social function, the inaugural ball holds a place unique in the history making of the day.
 Fireworks Display.
 While the ball was in progress in doors a display of fireworks on the monument lot in the of the White House marked the end of the outdoor celebration. For hours the thinly clouded heavens were alight with screaming rockets, with such clusters that challenged the brilliance of the day, with fiery "cobras" and all the fantastic creations of modern pyro- technics Aerial salutes, floating fes- toons. illuminated balloons and scores of other features made the display visi- ble from one end of the capital city to the other.
 Prior to his visit to the ball President Taft had entertained at the White House the members of the Yale club, had dined with Mrs. Taft at ' o'clock, and had stopped at the Metropolitan club to say few words to the diners of the class of '7S at Yale.
 His day was one of continuous cheers and plaudits from the moment he first appeared on the White House portico to go to his inauguration until he returned late tonight, an unwilling leave-taker from the dancing and the national prom enade of the inaugural ball.
 New Precedent.
 MT. and Mrs. Taft were the guests of the Roosevelts at the White House last night, setting new precedent in the courtesies of the executive mansion, as they did again today, when Mrs. Taft ac- companied the newly President and Mrs. Sherman the newly-made vice presi- dent, 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 President Roosevelt and MT. Taft made their way to the Capitol, was thrown open as the return journey was begun, and President Taft, quickly recognized by the crowds which stood en- Enthusiastically unmindful of the ankle-deep snow and slush about them. was &C., claimed ell along the great distances of the avenue. Wearing his broadest of smiles he bowed right and left in ac- lenowledgment of the succeeding ovations which marked his progress to the White House
 when they met at breakfast this morn- ing, with the world all white outside, n rd fha anuny of tha b1fzznrd wind rfnRinr