The Billings gazette., 1909-03-05

raised Cndlr on Une lett OF the vice.
president, members of the house and
members-elect taking seats assigned
them throughout the chamber. The
representatives were accompanied by
the house employees, who together
with many of the official attaches of
the senate, being unable to obtain
seats, were obliged to stand through
the ceremony.
The doors leading to the floor of the
senate had been thrown open at eleven
o'clock for the admission of any per-
sons entitled to seats there. Among
those who arrived early were officers
Of the army and navy, who had re-
ceived the thanks of congress, which
entitled them to the privilege of TAX
ing part in the ceremonies. They were
attired in full dress uniform, made
picturesque by silver and gold orna-
ments. Admiral Dewey and General
Bell were also present in full uniform
as the official representatives of the
army and the navy.
The two most conspicuous seats in
the senate were reserved for the presi-
dent and president-elect, both of
whom faced the presiding officer, the
president in the front row on the right
side of the aisle, and the president
elect on the left. Members of the
cabinet were also given places in the
front row of seats near Mr.. Roosevelt,
and the committee on arrangements
was seated near them.
Mr. Sherman was at once escorted
up the steps to the desk of the vice
president and was given a seat on
his right. There the oath of office
was administered TO him by vice.
president Fairbanks, this being the
first of the function performed after
the gathering of the assemblage. Mr..
Fairbanks raised his right hand and
Mr.. Sherman assumed like position.
The words of the oath of office were
pronounced in clear resounding
voice and the response was distinctly
heard in every portion of the chamber,
where, except as it was broken by the
voices of the officials themselves,
quiet reigned supreme for the time.
The ceremony was simple but of in
tense interest, and the spectators
were duly impressed.
AS Mr.. Sherman lowered his right
hand it was grasped in congratulation
by his predecessor and ripple of ap-
plause was heard throughout the gal
leries.
At the instance of Senator Culbert-
son, chairman of the Democratic eau
Gus, the senate adopted the follow
ing resolutions expressive of its ap-
probation of the able and impartial
manner in which the vice-president
had presided over that body during
four years, as follows:
Resolved, That the thanks of the
senate are hereby rendered to Hon.
Charles w. Fairbanks for the digni-
fed, impartial and courteous manner
in which he has presided over it's de-
liberations during the present ses-
sion"
Mr.. Fairbanks delivered his fare
we'll address, referring with evident
emotion to the uniform support that
had been given him ,and to the plea
SAINT associations throughout the ad-
ministration.
AS soon as Mr.. Fairbanks had COM
pleted his remarks a motion to ad-
journ the senate sine die was adopted.
The gavel was then presented to the
new vice-president and Mr.. Sherman
at once called to order the senate of
the 61st congress, which had met in
obedience to the presidential procla-
nation conVening an extraordinary
session. Rev. Edward Everett Hale,
the distinguished chaplain, clad in
a heavy silken robe, resembling the
gowns worn by the justices Of the
supreme court of the United States,
invoked the divine blessing, and in
conclusion requested the entire as
semblage to join in pronouncing the
Lords prayer. The response was not
very general, but to the extent that
it was the occasion resembled for
brief time, religious rather than an
official ceremony.
The proclamation of the president
convening the senate in extra session
was then read and the vice-president
delivered his inaugural address.
The senators elect having bc en- thus
inducted into office, the vice-presl-
dent ordered the sergeant-at-arms
to execute the order of the senate
for the inauguration of the president
L