Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1909-03-12
H. TAFT IS
NOW PRESIDENT OF
THE UNITED STATES
Veteran Chief Justice Again
Administers the Oath to
Executive.

Washington, March An the
Senate chamber, surrounded by as
many of the dignitaries of the ma
ton and friends of republican
government as could be packed
into its limited space, William
Howard Taft at IL :55 o'clock to-
day took the oath Of office as pres
ident of the United States.
With uplifted hand he solemnly
swore to bear true allegiance to
his country, to enforce its laws
and to defend it against all enc
mics, foreign and domestic"
Chief Justice Fuller, of the SUI
preme court of the United States,
clad in the rich robes of office, adj
ministered the oath, as he had
done for Presidents Harrison,
Cleveland, Mckinley and Roose-
welt. In a firm, clear voice Presi-
dent Taft repeated the words of
the chief justice and reverently
kissed the bible.
Visitors Dismayed.
The ceremony OF the inauguration
was accomplished with all luz formal
ity and finality, but under most unusual
conditions, owing to a terrific blizzard,
which swept over the national capital,
paralyzing street traffic, destroying
communication with the outside world,
and bringing dismay to the thousands
- aS1aruhind v{Sifnre whn hod rofh.
.red in expectation OF the usual spec
tacular demonstration. Notwithstand-
Ing the adverse conditions, all OF the
main features of the Inauguration were
accomplished.
The main change was In notifying
the original program so that the In
augural address, usually delivered from
the east portico of the capitol, was
pronounced by Mr.. Taft In the Senate
chamber.
The inauguration OF Vice President
James s. Sherman was first. He was
sworn in by the retiring vice president,
Charles w. Fairbanks.
Knox Settles II.
Although Mr.. Taft insisted up to al
most the last moment that his inaugu-
ration should be held In front OF the
capitol building. as has been an
nounced. the committee on arrange
ments finally decided that the cere-
monies should be held in the Senate
chamber. Mr.. Taft said he did not
mind the snow and wind in the least,
but Senator Knox. In charge of the pro-
gram, declared II would be unwise to
subject the aged chief justice and the
older members OF the Senate to the adj
verse Weather conditions.
President Roosevelt and MI. Taft
were escorted to the capitol promptly
at the hour set, their progress through
the binding snow being met with
cheers from a thin fringe OF hardy
spectators, who braved the elements
and stood knee deep in snow and slush
along the distances OF Pennsylvania
avenue.
Enter the Capitol.
The presidential party entered the
capitol building at IL o'clock, and were
escorted to the presidents room In the
Senate wing.
Up to the time of leaving the White
House, Mr.. Taft had his heart set upon
taking the oath In front of the multi
tude gathered in the capitol plaza.
After reaching the Senate, however.
the counsels of the elder members OF
the Senate prevailed and 1t was decided
that the ceremonies for the first time
in a score or more years should be
held indoors.
Wet. ~clinging snow, driven before a
singing northwest wind, fell through
out the night n wrought havoc with
telephone and telegraph wires, COM
pleteiy cutting off the capital city from
communication with the remainder Of
the country for many hours. Snow
and slush filled the streets TO the depth
OF a foot or more In places.
The Cannon Salute.
Succeeding the administration Of the
official oath, the simple ceremony which
transformed Citizen Taft into President
Taft, there was a of calm.
Then out on the March air Doomed q
cannon, the first of Fl guns In honor
OF a new president. For miles aroun
washington the message was sped that
q new chief had taken his place at the
head OF the nation. Again the country
was told that a new administration had
dawned. In homes far distant from the
splendid scene being enacted beneath
the dome OF the capitol there were
those who could not see nor hear the
ceremonies, but to each of them-shot
from the cannon's ~mouth-was told the
story, and as resounded the last of the
guns which, one after another, doomed
it's national message to the American
people, the concluding scene In the
chapter dealing with the Inauguration
was begun.
on the conclusion OF President Taft's
inaugural address there was a brief
renewal of congratulations, after which
the members OF the senate returned
to the Senate chamber, to take
up the first of the duties OF the
61st congress-. while the president
accompanied by the committee OF ar
rangenents and the escort, proceeded
to the White House where, from a
stand, he reviewed the great inaugural
parade. Ex-President Roosevelt imme-
diately betook himself to his carriage
and was driven speedily to the Union
station, where he took train for New
York. The members Of the House scat
tered to the four corners of the city.
Mr.. Roosevelt's call for an extraordin-
airy session included only the Senate,
and as the 60th congress came to a
close with the Inauguration there was
nothing 10 attract the representatives
back to their chamber.
With the shifting OF the presidential
mantle from the shoulders OF Rooss-
welt to the shoulders of Taft the ma
ton is on the verge OF IA momentous
| period. With the new presidential
term comes "A new cabinet and a new
| congress with republican majorities
majorities still large, and with past
controversies between the executive
and legislative branches OF the gov
NICARAGUA AND