The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-03-05

The FIRST chief to take the oath Of
Office in the Senate chamber for rs
years, was William Howard Taft
who became the President OF the
United States today, Accompanied
to the capitol through a swirl Of
binding snow by President Roosevelt
and guard of honor, TAFT returned
to the White House just as the sun
began to force Its way through the
clouds,
The sudden blizzard sweeping in
last night, caused the abandonment
OF the outdoor exercises on the ia
nous east front Of the capitol much
TO Taft's chagrin, and threatened for
a time to stop the brilliant pageant
OF the afternoon. However, the pas
sage way was cleared along the cen
ter of Pennsylvania avenue and for
nearly three hours President Taft
and Vice President Sherman review
ed the passage Of the column replete
with martial splendor and picturesque
with civic display.
Following the inaugural ceremonies
in the Senate, Theodore Roosevelt
again became a private citizen, and
bade affectionate farewell to his sue
cessor and then hurried away through
side door to take the train for New
York. AS he passed out of the cham.
ber, Roosevelt was given an ovation
quite equal TO that rendered the
President. Outside the capitol the
retiring chief executive was met by
hundreds of the New York County
Republican Club and under their es-
cort was driven to the Union station,
a short three blocks away. There was
a wait Of nearly two hours at the sta
tion during which time ex-President
Roosevelt held an impromptu recep-
ton in the Presidential suite. Many
of his old friends among the govern
ment officials and diplomatic corps
surrounded him there for a final word
OF farewell. To all with whom he
spoke, Roosevelt declared while he
had "bully time" as President, he
was glad to lay down the duties Of
the Office. He praised his successor
and especially commented upon the
latter's inaugural address as splen-
did effort,
The President and Mrs, Taft were
the center of interest at the culmi-
mating features of the day and inaugu-
raj ball took place in the pension
building The scene in the cavern
ons buildings which had been trans
formed into a canopied court of ivory
and white, was another Of the bril-
liant pictures quadrennially painted
here by the gathering of the vast
and brilliant assemblage from every
section of the country, Prior TO his
visit to the ball, President Taft had
entertained at tea in the White
House, members Of the Yale Club;
had dined with Mrs. Taft at 7 o'clock
and stopped into the Metropolitan
Club to say a few words at the din
ner OF class '7S Of Yale.
President Tafts day was one Of
continuous cheers and plaudits from
the moment he first appeared on the
White House porch to 60 to the in-
auguration, until he returned late
tonight an unwilling leavetaker from
the inaugural ball,
President Taft was deeply disap-
pointed when upon arriving at the
capitol shortly after II o'clock he
found that the committee on arrange
ments had abandoned all hope of an
outdoors ceremony. II was deemed
dangerous to force the aged members
Of the supreme court, senate and dip
lomatie corps to jeopardy of long ex-
posure to the elements and Taft
finally acquiesced in the changes, To
effect the change in the ceremonies
from the great grandstand erected
along the east front Of the capitol to
the Senate chamber il was necessary
to rush a special resolution through
the house and senate, The President