The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1909-03-13

I'LL was COIL uSlOD aD'l cnAOS
Wires being down there was nc
communication with incoming
trains and these arrived unlerald-
ed from three TO thirty hours late.
Many of the passengers arriving
at night did not venture out Of the
station TIC find lodgings and
fifteen hundred people spent the
night in the station. Hundreds
OF others did not arrive in time
for the Inauguration at all but
came III on the limping trains
many hours late. Many Others
reaching the city gave one glance
at the conditions and boarded the
next train out for home. Balti-
more hotels were crowded by the
Inauguration visitors who got as
far as the Monumental city and
dlvining the conditions at the
Capital stopped off there. The
West Point Cadets, did not get
into the city until the next day
and suffered as many others from
lack of food and Accommodations on
the tram which had not provided
for such an exigency. 1t would
take columns to express the disap-
polntment and disgust of the
strangers who had come from great
distances TO see the Inauguration
and Congress came in well for the
righteous indignation of everyone
for not having long ago changed
the inaugural date to a later sea
son when better weather might be
counted on.
1t was impossible for Mr.. Taft
to make his address outside the
Capitol and the crowd that detied
the weather to gather in anticlpa
ton of hearing him shared the
disappointment that seemed to at
tend all the plans for the day
Even the Senate galleries which,
had been carefully reserved seat
10y seat for the families Of the
Congressman had rows of vacant
places when Mr.Taft took the oath
of Office.
The scene inside the Senate
Chamber when the lncDcmeDcy
outside was forgotten was one like
ly to be long remembered by those
who were present. Never had
the retiring President appeared
to better advantage. His face
was care worn showing the strain
of the last few days which had
been filled with work aud wOr-
ry but his boundless s ! Q 3
energy never seemed SO strik.
ing as when c0ntrasted with the
heavy placldity of his successor.
He seemed in a serious mood but
lie moved briskly, almost electri-
calIy through his part in the core
MONIES, gave a final embrace thxt
came near being a bear like hug
to the incoming President and
bounded out and away to the sta
ton before the cheering, enthusi
astic crowd seemed to realize that
he was gone. Then for the first
time people gathered there, many
his close friends and many more
with whom he had come at various
times in clamorous conflict gealiz
ed that the greatest man among
them was to be among them no
more. With his disappearance
the anlmositles seemed to fade
and the expressions heard on all
sides with reference t0 him indi
Gated that the softeDing procets of
time by which his faults would be |
overlooked and his transcendent |
work appreciated had already be.
gun.
After taking the oath Of Office
and making his address Mr.. Taft |
accompanied by his wife, (this be-
ing the first occasion when a Pres
ident's wife has appeared in the
carriage with him on his way to
the White House tor the first time
as President. drove up the Ave.
nue. along the line which was to
have been the route of the parade
A few brave soldiers, a civic club
Dr. two from Ohio and number of
stragglers followed the Presiden.
5ial carriage and composed all Il
here was of the spectacle which