The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-03-05
WILLIAM \. TAFT PILOT
Of THE SHIP Of STATE
Distinguished Son Of Ohio Takes the Oath in
Senate Chamber on Account of In
clement Weather.
Parade Held Spite of the Fact That the Streets of Washing
ton Were Almost impossible.

Washington, March 4-The first chief
executive to take the oath OF office in
the chamber of the senate in seventy
six years. William Howard Taft, today
became president of the United States.
Accompanied to the capitol through
swirl of binding snow by President
Roosevelt and & guard of honor. Mr.. Taft
returned to the White House just as the
sun began to force its way through the
clouds a sudden blizzard sweeping IN
from the northwest last night set awTy the
weather bureaus optimistic promise of
fair and somewhat cooler" and caused
an abandonment of the outdoor cere-
monies on the famous east front of the
capitol, much to Mr.. Tafts chagrin, and
threatened for a time to stop the brilliant
pageant of the afternoon.
Parade Finally Started.
However, a passageway was cleared
along the center of Pennsylvania avenue
and for nearly three hours President Taft
and Vice President Sherman reviewed
passing column which was replete with
martial splendor and picturesque with
civic display.
the senate Theodore Roosevelt, again a
private citizen, bade an affectiOnate adieu
to his successor. while all in the historic
chamber looked on in silence, ana then
lie hurried away through a side door 10
take the train for New York AS ne
passed out of the chamber, Mr.. Roosevelt
that rendered to the new president Out
side the capitol the retiring chief eXecu-
tive was met by 500 members Of the New
York Republican COMMITTEES and under
their escort was driven to the Union sta
ton, short three blocks away
RooseveIt's Departure.
There was a wait of nearly two hours
al the station. during which Mr.. Roose-
Welt held an impromptu reception in the
presidential suite Many of his OLD friends
among government officials and the dlp-
lomauc corps surrounded him there Tor q
final word of farewell
TO all with whom he spoke. Mr.. Roose-
Welt declared that while he had "a DULY
time" as president, he was glad to law
down the duties of office. He praised
his successor and especially commentet
utSSSi the latterS inaugural address as a
PXsndid effort
The Inaugural Ball.
President and Mrs. Yaft were the cen
ture of the day-the inaugural ball in the
Pension building. The scene in the cav
ernous building, which had been trans
formed into a canOpied court Of ivory
and white, was another of the brilliant
pictures quadriennially painted here by
the gathering of a vast and brilliant as
sembiase from every section OF the cOun-
try. With all the color and movement
of a military spectacle, with the soften
ing influence of delicately tinted gowns
sA5i the interest of personnel SELDOM
f-NUatn0 a
bail holds place unique in the history
making of the day.
Fireworks at Night.
While the ball was in progress indoors,
a display of fireworks on the mOnument
lot in the rear of the White House marked
the end of the outdoor celebration FOR
hours the tninly-cloVded heavens were
aiisht with rockets. with sun clusters that
challenged the bTilliancy OF day, with
fiery ''cobras." and all the fantastic Gre
ations of modern pyTOtechnic skill.
Prior to his visit to the ball, President
Taft had entertained at tea in the White
House the members of the Yale club; had
dined with Mrs Taft at o'clock. and
had stopped in at the metropolitan ciuo
to say few words at the dinner OF thc
Class of rs at Yale.
Mir. Tafts day was one OF continuing
cheers and plaudits from the moment ne
first appeared on the White House por-
tico to 90 to his inauguration, until he
returned. late tonight, an unwilling leave
taker from the inaugural ball
Trip to the Capitol.
Mr.. and Mrs Taft were the guests Of
the Roosevelts at the WhiteI House iast
night, setting q new precedent in the
courtesies of the executive manslon' as
they did again today. ween Mrs Tart
accompanied the newly made presloent
and Mr. Sherman, the new vice preSl-
dent from the capitol at the head OF the
imposing parade to the White House. The
presidential carriage drawn by tour pay
horses. which had been closed against the
storm as President Roosevelt and MI
TAFT made their way to the capitol, was
thrown open as the return journey began,
and President Taft, quickly recognized BY
the crowd, which stood enthusiastically
uamindful of the snow and sluSh ABOUT
them was acclaimed all along the great
distance of the avenue.
ovation Along the Route.
Wearing his broadcast of smiles. ne
bov-ed right and left in acknowledgment
81 the Succeeding ovation that marked
his progress to the White House