Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-03-18

eminent Americans who were indicted
INTO the two highest Offices in tho eif
OF the people with such solemn and I'm
PressiVe ceremonial in the Senate
chamber only n few days since. witt
TWO exceptions every Inauguration OF a
president since the establishment Of the
FEDERAL government has been conduct et
uhoer the canopy of heaven and in sight
oil all who wished to witness It.
Inc only exception were in the cases
NJ Andrew Jackson In 1899 and William
Toward Taft in 1909. when climatic con.
o'tions prevented open air exercises. The
capital of the United States was not
more Isolated from the outside world
years ago when jackson was inaugu-
rated than It was on tho day when Tai,
was inaugurated. Modern facilities OF
communication by steam and electricity
iaiIed to work along lines devised Lv in
VentiVe genius. Washington was carried
rack to Jacksons time md became n
provincial town OF early days The only
source of direct communication for a
! while with the wintry North was the
wireless system which alone demonstrate
cd that this was the 2Oth century. II
was good day for the Montreal carni-
| val
Natures interference with mundane az
fairs on March 4. 1909. will. I predict.
result In tho future inaugurations being
1xed for some day near the first OF May.
That this change should he effected is
the universal opinion in official circles
as we'll as among all people
| But this is n DEPRESSION and | must
turn back to a recital Of scenes incident
To the inauguration which are OF special
interest to Vermonters
AS spectator OF the inaugural core
monial in the Senate chamber will
cTiehy review It, II was great his.or-
ical scene but once before presented in
the senate chamber since WASHINGTON
fecame the capital. The floor and CALLER
ies Of the chamber were filled with a
most distinguished company of witnesses
end silent partcpators Of the event
Tho senators were grouped on ono side
O. this political forum, the representa-
tives on the other side The Supreme
Court justices in their flowing robes sat
directly In front of the senatorial group.
The foreign ambassadors. ministers and
their attaches dressed in their brilliant
81 the House. The members Of Iresi-
deht Roosevelts cabinet faced the semi-
cl,cle Of seats in the chamber. Looking
down on this remarkable asscnbiage
were thousand people representing al
most every nation as we'll as every State.
The wives and daughters of the Pi esi-
cent Nice-President, foreign minister's
senators, representatives, and ether
prominent government officers. in Holt
Cay attire. with escorts. filled the CALLER
les and made a brilliant scene.
The entrance, in the order named. a
the Senate chamber of Speaker Can
non. Vice President Fairbanks Vice
President elect Sherman, President |
Roosevelt, and President elect Tart |
were separately announced followed |
by their dramatic walk down the aisle !
to seats facing the audience The
oaths of office were solemniy admin
istered to Vice -Presdent-clect Sher- |
man and Presidcnt-clect Taft in the /
order named. The speeches of the re-
firing and incoming Vice President
We're in excellent taste and received |
universe commentator. Tho inaug-
ural address Of President Taft dwelt |
with present conditions and future
problems OF government. II was con-
else and comprehensive. courageous in !
declaration of purposes and policies of
the new administration, and withal |
conservative, hut progressive in tone
"a message of confidence to the Ann
erican people II was delivered with
Il vigor. earnostness, ami sincerity mat
carried conviction to all hearers Of thu
and AmoricanlsM of liz
author. The concensus Of opinion
among all classes Of people North.
South. East and West, gathered IN
Washington was remarkable IN it's
unanimity to the effect tina. no Prcs!-
dent ever entered upon the duties of
the executive Office with more united
county or with greater public regard
or esteem. southern democratic SEN
'tors and congressman applauded the
message as heartily a did republican
members of both houses from the
North.
Among Nermonters occupying seats
n the Senate chamber during the in
lugural ceremonies were Gov. George
4. Prouty. Col. f. r. Woodbury.. AMI
'ol. William " Hatch OF the Cover ,
lor's STAFF, Judge Wendell +. stafford
Mrs. Carroll 8. Page. Miss Alice Page.
Collins NJ. Graves. Mrs. Collins NJ.
braves, and Miss Mary A. Stranahan.
had the good fortune to witness the
ceremonies from front row seat in
he gallery.
PRES. TAFT TO VISIT VERMONT. ,
II Vermont could not 90 to the in
luguraton Of William Howard Taft. at
Washington tho pvogiJ.rf # Iva 1-,i,o3