The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1909-03-05
In Spite. !
Presids 3 : !
Senat : !
,Gorg,
sage
)rm Which Made It Necessary for
\ Take His Oath Of Office in
amber, the Exercises Were
md Full Of Splendor-Mes.
the New President Is
Well Received.

Washington, D. c., March 4.-The
first chief executive to take the oath
of Office in the chamber of the SEN
ate in 76 years. William Howard
Taft, today became president of the
United States.
Accompanied to the capitol by
President Roosevelt and a guard of
honor through swirl of binding
snow, Mr. Taft returned to the White
House just as the sun began to force
of gray. A sudden blizzard sweep
ing in from the northwest last night,
to set the weather bureaus optim-
istic promise of fair and somewhat
cooler" caused an abandonment Of
the outdoor ceremonies on the fam
GUS east front of the capitol, much
to Mr.. Taft's chagrin, and threaten
ed for time to stop the brilliant
pageant OF the afternoon.
BY almost superhuman efforts, a
passageway was cleared along the
center of Pennsylvania avenue, how
ever, and for nearly three hours,
President Taft and Vice President
Sherman reviewed a passing column
which was replete with martial splen
dor and picturesque with civic dis
play.
Following the brilliant and i'm
pressive ceremonies in the senate,
during which both the president and
vice president took the oath OF Office,
President Roosevelt again private
citizen, bade an affectionate adieu to
his successor, while all in the his
toric chamber looked on in silence
and then hurried away through a
side door to take train for New
York. AS he passed out of the cham
ber, Mr.. Roosevelt was given an ova-
tion quite equal to that tenederd to
the new president Outside the ca
p,sol tha retiring chief executive
was met by 500 members Of the
New York county cornmittee and un-
der their escort was driven to abe
Union Station, a short three blocks
away. A band at the head of the
column played "Auld Lang Syne,"
told the story OF the march and Mr..
Roosevelt was compelled time and
cheers from the throng which lined
his way.
Roosevelt Receives
There was a wait of nearly two
hours at the station during which
Mr.. Roosevelt held an impromptu re-
ception in the presidential suite.
Many of his old friends among gov
ernment officials and the diplomatic
corps, sought him there for a final
word Of farewell. AS he made his
way to the train shortly after 8 o.
clock Mr. Roosevelt was cheered by
thousands. To all with whom he
spoke, Mr. Roosevelt declared that
while he had a bully time,' as
president, he was glad to lay down
the duties of Office. He paid a tri-
butte to his successor and especially
commented upon the latter's inau-
gural address as splendid effort.
President and Mrs Taft were the
centers Of interest at the culminat-
ing feature of the memorable day
the inaugural ball in the pension
building. The scene in the cavern
GUS building, which had been trans
formed into a canopied court of iv-
ory and white, was another of the
brilliant pictures which are quadren-
nially painted here by the gathering
of q vast and brilliant assemblage
from every section OF the country.
With all the color and movement OF
mlilitary spectacle, with the soft
ening influence of delicately tinted
gowns and the interest OF a personnel
seldom eQualled at social function
the inaugural ball holds q place uni
que in the history making of the day
While the ball was in progress
indoors, a display Of fireworks on the
monument lot in the rear Of ths
white House, marked the end Of the
outdoor celebrations. For hours tht
thinly clouded heavens were Alright
with screaming rockets, with sur
clusters that challenged the brillt
ance of the day, with the fiery Co
bras, and all the fantastic creationl
Of modern pyrotechnic skill Aeria
salutes, floating festoons, illuminat
ed balloons and scores OF other tea
lures made the display visible from
one end OF the capital city to thu
other.
Prior to his visit to ]. the ball
President Taft had entertained a
tea in the White House, the member
of the Yale Club, had dined witt
Mrs. Taft at o'clock and had stop
ped in at the Metropolitan Club K
say few words at the dinner Of tn,
class OF .78 at Yale.
Taft Continually Cheered
Mr. Taft's day was one Of con
tinuing cheers and plaudits from thu
moment he first appeared on th'
white House portico to go to his In
auguration, until he returned late to
night, an unwilling leave taker iron