Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-05

floor of the chamber to the right and
left Of the center aisle were ranged the
members Of the diplomatic corps, the
black-gowned justices of the supreme
court. the members of the House and
Senate, the admiral of the navy, the
chief of staff of the army and scores
Of other officials and distinguished Wis
ltors. An entire section of the gallery
to the left of the presiding officers
desk mad been reserved for Mrs. Taft
ana the other members of the new
PRESIDENTS family. Members of Mr.
Sherman's family also had a space set
apart for them
The ceremonies of the inaugural
formally were begun when Vice Presi-
dent Fairbanks in farewell address,
which eliciteda applause and cheering,
declared the Goth Congress at an end.
Turning then to Mr.. Sherman, who
had been escorted to a place beside
him, he administered to his successor
the oath of Office and turned over to
him the gavel of the Senate. Pre-
viously a resolution Of thanks to Mr.
Fairbanks had been unanimously car
ried. Mr.. Sherman in rapping the
Senate to order in special session of
dress. This was followed by the swear
ing in of many new senators. Then
Vice President Sherman announced:
THE chief justice will now admin
lister the oath of Office to the Presi-
dent Elect
The sudden announcement came as
a surprise and "a hush fell upon the
q q orc ~ Va Ia
arm of Senator Knox, chairman of the
joint committee on arrangements and
premier in his cabinet. and walked
around to a position in the rear of the
presiding officers desk. He was fol-
lowed by Chief Justice Fuller, who
was officiating for the fifth time in
this quadrennial capacity.
Mr.. Taft took up a position facing
the members of his family, grouped in
the gallery. The chief justice then
began the administration of the oath
in a low tone. AS he paused at the
end of each phrase, Mr.. Taft caught
up his words and repeated them in
SLOW distinct voice, which carried i'm
pressively to the farthest recesses of
the chamber. When he at last had
kissed the Bible there was an out
burst of applause, grasp of the hand
by the chief justice and President Taft
began Immediately the enunciation of
the immediate policies of his admin
istration in his inaugural address. lie
read from typewriter manuscript. but
his familiarity with the text enabled
him to put emphasis on the points he
wished most to impress upon his hear
ers, not the least interested of whom
was the retiring Chief Executive.
Mr. Taft won applause at the very
outset by announcing his adherence to
the Roosevelt policies and his intention
of carrying them out by means of fur
Their legislation, which would also have
for it's purpose the freedom from alarm
of those pursuing Proper and pro-
gressive business methods"
The galleries were not alone in APP
plauding the succeeding points made
by Mr. Taft. The senators constantly
interrupted with applause While the
members of the House We're more
denonstfatve in expressing their APP
prevail The diplomats listened intent'yI
to Mr.. Taft's outline of foreign poll
CIV and his franknesS in dealing with
the various subjects touched on IN his
address won much commendatlon Tie
new Presidents expression OF frlenu-
ship for the South and his again as
serted belief that the so-called Negro
problem was in fair way of proper set
Element, caused loud applause and
cheering.
When Mr.. Taft had concluded MI.
Roosevelt Immediately made his way
TO the rostrum. President Taft ad-
yanced TO greet him. The two Shook
hands warmly and with hands on each
others shoulders they conversed earn
estly and enthusiastically for few
minutes During the leave-taklng eV-
eryOne in the Senate chamber STOOD
still and looked on with keeneSt IN
terest at the unusual picture. AL last
the friends parted and Mr.. Roosevelt
,larted out of one of the side doors
leading into the Senate lobby He was
followed by resounding cheers. Presi-
dent Taft was escorted out through
the main door amid cheering. The dis
tinguished guests departed In the order
in which they had entered the Senate
chamber The great crowds outside the
Capitol echoed the cheering of those
vino had forced their way within. MI
Taft entered the Presidential carriage
with Mrs. Taft The escort began to
move, the ceremonies of the assumption
were at an end.
The troops and civic bodies com
nosing the notable parade of the at
tcrnoon, modified in snow and siusl
vhicl in places was deeper than their
Logging top. Down Pennsylvania ave
uue, walled in with spectators, they
found dry footing, but faced gale
which swept directly down the thor.
oughfare with q velocity undiminished
from the morning hours The snow rad
ceased. however, and faint streaks OF
blue, were apparent through the banks
Of gray clouds.
The parade was replete with inter-
est. The 5000 bluejackets from the re-
Gently returned Atlantic fleet shared
honors among the military with inc
Cuban army of pacifcation. just back
from the Southern island, and appear
ing today in all the paraphernalia or
active service in the field.
The trim cadets from West Point at
tracted thes~usual attention ana mace
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