Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-03-05

diplomatic corps and members of the
house of representatives, while special
seats in the front row were set aside
for the members of the supreme court
of the United States. who attended in
body, and for cabinet officers.
Galleries Are Filled
| Every available seating space in the
galleries was filled. The array of beau
tiful gowns worn by the ladies present.
ed scene that suggested social
rather than an official OCCASION and
the waving of delicate fans and the
buzz of conversation lent zest and ami
| nation to the scene. In the front row
of the senator's gallery were the FAM
| lilies of the president and the president
! elect and of the vice president and the
vice president-elect. Mrs. Taft was
there with her daughter, Miss Helen
Taft, and her son Robert, both home
from college to be present on this &C.
| casion, together with Charlie" the
youngest member of the family, who
was beaming in anticipation of the
great event in which his father was
the central figure of interest. The
presidents brothers, Charles p, Henry
w. ana Howard, were also present, as
were Mrs. Roosevelt, Mrs. Sherman,
with her sons and daughters, Mrs.
Fairbanks and members of the vice
presidents family, and many others
| intimately connected WITH the CIllSl
actors in this historic scene.
The diplomatic gallery was reserved
in the main for the ladies of the corps,
many of whom were familiar with the
gorgeous coronation ceremonies Of
monarchical governments and who wit
messed for the first time the simple
/ induction into office of the chief mag
istrate of the great republic. Every
where there were beautiful women with
faces radiant in anticipation of the
! historic proceeding.
While the galleries were being filed
the principals in the drama were as
sembling in readiness to enter the
chamber according to thoroughly or
dered arrangements. The president and
the president-elect were in the presi-
dents room, the mural decoration of
which, the work of the famous Bru-
midi, has gained it the distinction of
being the most ornate apartment in
the capitol. Mr.. Roosevelt, accom-
panied by members of his cabinet, had
arrived early to attach his signature
/ to measures, the passage of which had
been delayed by the rush of business
during the clnse Of the session, and
had been very busily occupied in the
last hours of his administration.
Line Is Formed
The house of representatives formed
.
end of the Capitol, and, accompanied
| by members-elect, who We're soon to
! take their places in the next congress,
marched slowly to the senate door,
which they entered two by two. Speak
| er Cannon, at the head of the column,
was at once escorted to a raised chair
! on the left of the vice president MEM
bers 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
! throughout the ceremony.
The doors leading to the floor of the
senate had been thrown open at IL
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 taking
| part in the ceremonies. They were at
! tired in full dress uniform. made pic
| truesque by silver and gold ornaments.
Admiral Dewey and General Bell were
also present in full uniform as the Off
! cial representatives of the army and
! the navy.
The committee on arrangements in
| charge of the ceremony of inaugurating
| the president and vice president con-
sisted of Senators Phlander Chase
Knox of Pennsylvania, Henry Cabot
Lodge of Massachusetts and Augustus
Octavius Bacon of Georgia. on the part
of the senate, and Representatives
James Francis Burke of Pennsylvania,
Horace DIN Young of Michigan. and
John Wesley Gaines of Tennessee on
the part of the house. This committee
escorted Mr.. Sherman, the vice presi-
dent-elect to the chamber, and later
performed the same service for the
president and the president-elect.
Seats Reserved
The two most conspicuous seats in
the senate were reserved for the pres
ident and president elect, both of whom
faced the presiding officer, the presi-
dent 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 COM
mittee on arrangements were 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.