The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-05
SNOI.< AND SHEET DRIVES
 INAUGURAL PARTY INDOORS;
 : CEREMONY M SENA TIE CHAMBEF
Record breaking Weather in Nations Capital Causes Disappointment to Thousands Who Had Gathered
 to Witness History Making Event--Roose- X velt Leaues for Oyster Bay.

Washington, D. C.. March 1.-The first chief executive to take the oath of office in the Chamber of the Senate in seventy-six years, William Howard Taft, today became a President of the United States.
 Accompanied to the Capitol by Pres ident Roosevelt and a guard of honor. through a 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 gray. A sudden blizzard sweeping in from the Northwest last night. to set awry the Weather Bureaus optimistic promise of fair and somewhat cooler" caused an abandonment of the out door cere- monies on the famous East Front or the Capitol, much to MT. Taft's cha grin. and threatened for a time to stop the brilliant pageant of the afternoon.
 By almost superhuman efforts, a. pas sage way was cleared along the center of Pennsylvania Avenue. however. and for nearly three hours. President Taft and Vice President Sherman. reviewed | a passing column which was replete with martial splendor and picturesque civic display.
 Following the brilliant and impress sive ceremonies In the Senate. during which the President and Vice President took the oath of office. President Roosevelt-agafn private citizen bade an affectionate adieu to his sue cessor. while all in the historic cham Der looked on in silence. and then hur- ,,la -td al | a train for New York. As he passed out of the chamber. Mir. Roosevelt was given an ovation quite the equal of I that rendered the new President Out
 side the Capitol, the retiring chief ex- l ecutive was met by 800 members of the
 New York County Committee. and un-
 der their escort. was driven to the away band at the head of the col l umn playing "Auld Lang Syne," told
 the story of the march, and Mr. Roose-
 welt was compelled to acknowledge th- | cheers from the throngs which lined | his way.
 There was a wait of nearly two hours at the station, during which MT :. Roosevelt held an impromptu reception in the Presidential suite. Many of his old friends among government officials
 and the diplomatic corps, sought him | there for a final word of farewell. AS 1 he made his way to the train. shortly after 3 o'clock, Mir Roosevelt was cheered by thousands.
 To all with whom he spoke. Mir.
 Roosevelt declared that while he had
 "a bully time" as President. he was 1 glad to lay down the duties of office. | He paid tribute to his successor and especially commented upon the latter's
 splendid inaugural address as splen-
 did effort.
 The Inaugural Ball.
 President and Mrs. Taft were the
 centers of interest at the eliminating | feature of the memorable day-the ip-
 augural ball in the Pension building The scene in the vast cavern of the
 building. which had been transformed
 into A canopied court of ivy and white,
 was another of the brilliant pictures
 which are quadrennially painted here
 by the gathering of vast and bril-
 laint assemblage from every section or
 the country With all the color ano
 movement of a military spectacle. with
 the softening influence of the delicate
 ly tinted gowns. and the interest of a l personnel seldom at social function l the inaugural ball holds place uniQua 1 In the history of the day.
 While the ball was In progress in
 doors, a display of fireworks on the
 monument lot in the rear of the White |
 door celebration. For three hours. the l thinly clouded heavens were alighf
 with screaming rocket, with such clus- | ters that challenged the brilliance Of
 day, with fiery "cobras" and all the
 fantastic creations of modern pyro l technic skill. Aerial salutes. floating
 festoons, illuminated balloons and l scores of other features, made the dis
 play visible from one end of the Capt | tal City to the other.
 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. Tart at o'clock. and had stopped in at the Metropolitan Club to say a few words at the dinner Of the Class or Ie ~
 Yale.
 MT. Taft's day was one of continuous cheer from the moment he appeared at | the White House to go to his inaugur- alton, until he returned late tonight.
 an unwilling leave-taker from the dancing and the national promenade os the inaugural ball.
 Mir and Mrs Taft were the guests of the Roosevelts at the White House last night. setting a new precedent In 1 the courtesies of the legislative man
 sion, as they did again today when Mrs Taft accompanied the newly-madS President and Mrs. sherman the new | lY-made vice EreSlOeHt, lIOHl NdpA- tot at the head of the imposing paradc to the White House. The presidential carriage, drawn by four bay horses
 which had been closed against the storm as President Roosevelt and MT Taft made their way to the Capitol
 was thrown open as the return journey was begun and President Taft quick ly recognized by the crowd. which stood enthusiastically unmindful of the ankle-deep snow and slush about them. was acclaimed all along the great dis tances of the avenue. Wearing his broadest of smiles, he bowed right and left in an acknowledgement.
 When they met at breakfast this morning with the world all white out side and the song of the blizzard wind ringing in their ears, Mir. Taft and MT. Roosevelt were as happy as two boys.
 "I knew it would be a cold day when I was made President of the United States" exclaimed Mir. Taft, "and I knew there would be a blizzard clear up to the moment I went out of office" rejoined President Roosevelt.
 Despite his unfailing good humor, Mir Taft was deeply disappointed when, on arriving at the Capitol, shortly after