Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-05
THE INAUGURATION.
Continued from Page One.)

knowledge the cheerS from the throng
which lined his way.
There was wait Of nearly two
tours at the station during which Mr..
pooseyelt held an impromptu recep-
ZION il the Presidential suite. Many
If his old friends among government
oa3ciafs and the diplomatic corps
soueht him there for a final word of
sarewell. AS he made his way to the
rain shortly after o'clock he was
cheered by thousands.
TO all with whom he talked Mr..
roosevelt declared that while he had
- hullystime as President, he was glad
% Law down the duties of Office. He
nraisAf his successor and commented
mon tiie latter's inaugural address as
"splendid."
President and Mrs. Taft were the
center. of interest at the eliminating
,eature1 of the day, the Inaugural ball
in the, pension building. The scene in
.he cayernous building, which had been
transformed into a canopied court of
ivory and white, was another of the
h,;l,iant pictures which are .quadrien-.
n;a,,v painted here by the gathering
II vast and brilliant assemblage from
overy section of the country. With all
tho color and movement of a military
.noctacle. with the influence of deli
estelv tinted gowns and the interest of
nersonnel seldom equalled at a So
cial function, the inaugural ball holds
Mace unique in the history making
Of a day
loo1l st,
doors. display of fireworks on the
monument lot in the rear of the White
uouse marked the end of the outdoor
celebration.
For hours the thinly cloudy heavens
were alight with screaming rockets,
with sun clusters that challenged the
bri,liancv of day, with fiery, "Cobras"
and all the fantastic creations Of mod
ern pyrotehncal skill. Rockets, float
ing festoons, illuminated balloons and
scores Of other features made the dis
NAV visible from one end of the capi-
tai city to the other.
Prior to his visit to the ball Mr.. Taft
entertained at tea at the White House
the members of Yale Club, dined with
Mrs Taft at o'clock and stopped at
the Metropolitan Club to say few
words at the dinner of the Yale Club
of rs. Mr.. Taft's day was one Of
steady cheers and plaudits, from the
moment he first appeared on the White
House portico to go to his inaugural
ton, until he returned late tonight re-
uctantly from the inaugural ball.
Mr.. and Mrs Taft were the guests
of the Roosevelts at the White House
last night. setting Il new precedent in
the courtesies of the Executive man.
sion, as they did again today when
Mrs. Taft accompanied the newly made
President and Mr. Sherman. the new
Vice President, from the Capitol at
the head Of the imposing parade to the
White House.
The Presidential carriage, drawn by
four bay horses, which had been closed
against the storm, as President Roose-
welt and Mr.. Taft made their way to
the Capitol, was thrown open as the
return Journey was begun and Presi-
dent Taft, quickly recognized by the
crowds which stood enthusiastically
unmindful of the gale and deep snow
about, was acclaimed along the great
distance of the avenue.
Wearing his broadcast of smiles he
bowed right and left in acknowledge
ment of the succeeding ovations which
marked his progress to the White
House. When they met at breakfast
this morning with the world all white
outside and the song of the blizzard
ringing in their ears, Mr.. Taft and
President Roosevelt We're as happy as
two boys
Il knew it would be cold day when
was made President of the United
States exclaimed Mr. Taft. "And I
know there would be a blizzard clear
up to the moment I went out of office,
rejoined President Roosevelt.
Despite his unfaling good humor,
Mr. Taft was deeply disappointed,
when upon arriving at the Capitol
shortly after II o'clock he found that
the committee on arrangements had
practically abandoned all hope OF an
outdoor ceremony. Mr.. Taft said ne
was anxious that the great American
people represented in the throngs
which gathered every four years on
the Capitol plaza should have their
usual share in viewing the Inaugural
ton
1t was dangerous, however, to force
uTon the members of the supreme
court. the Senate and the diplomatic
corps the jeopardy of long exposure to
The elements, and the President-elect
finally ac1uiesced in the change of pro-
gram. Not since Andrew Jackson's sec
ond Inauguration in 1888 had Presl-
Gent take the oath in the Senate cham
ber' At his first inaugural Jackson
protested against an indoor ceremony
when SO many of his fellow citizens
We're gathered outside the capitol. SO,
followed by the distinguished COM
pany which had assembled in the haii
Of the Senate. he proceeded to the por-
ueo Of the east front and there took
The oath of office and delivered his In
augura! address.
His second induction into office,
however. was marred by weather
WHICH prevailed throughout last night
and the forenoon Of today. Few per-
sons living in Washington can remem-
Der such weather since the second IN
auguration of Mr.. Cleveland.
To effect the change in ceremonies
from the great stand erected along the
east front of the Capitol to the cham
Der. II VOC paoaScorx, TODAY to YuSh q