The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1913-03-04

Der to witness'the oath-taking of the
vice-president was by ticket. and 1t
Is needless to say every seat was
occupied. On the floor Of the cham
Der were many former members Of
the senate who, because Of the fact
that they once held membership in
that body, were given the privileges
of the floor. After the hall was filed
and all the minor officials Of govern
ment and those privileged to witness
the ceremonies we're seated, William
H. Taft and Woodrow Wilson, proceed
ed by the sergeant-at-arms and the
committee of arrangements, entered
the senate chamber. They were fol-
lowed Immediately by Vice-President-
elect Thomas r. Marshall, leaning
upon the arm of the president pro
tempore Of the senate.
The president and the president
elect sat in the first row Of seats di.
rectly In front and almost under the
desk of the presiding officer. In the
same row, but to their left. were the
vice-president4elect and two former
vice-presidents of the United States,
Levi p. Morton of New York and Ad-
lai A. Stevenson of Illinois.
When the distinguished company en-
tered the chamber the senate was
still under it's old organization. The
oath of Office was Immediately admin
istered to ce-President-elect Mar
shall, who thereupon became Vice
President Marshall. The prayer Of the
day was given by the chaplain of the
senate, Rev. Ulysses G. B. Pierce. pas
tor of All Souls Unitarian church. of
which President Taft has been men,
Der. After the prayer the vice-presi-
dent administered the oath of Office
to all the newly chosen senators, and
Herewith the senate OF the United
States passed for the first time In
years into the control Of the Demo-
cratic party.
Procession to East Portlco.
Immediately after the senate cere-
monies procession was formed to
march to the platform Of the east por-
tico of the capitol. where Woodrow
Wilson was to take the oath. The pro-
cession included the president and the
president-elect, members of the Su-
preme court, both houses Of congress,
all Of the foreign ambassadors. all of
the heads of the executive depart
ments, many governors Of states and
territories, Admiral Dewey Of the navy
and several high officers Of the sea
service, the chief of staff Of the army
and many distinguished persons from
civil life. They were followed by the
members of the press and by those
persons who had succeeded In secur.
ing seats in the senate galleries to
witness the days proceedings.
When President Taft and the presi-
dent-elect emerged from the capitol
on to the portico they saw In front
of them, reaching far back into the
park to the east, an immense con-
course of citizens. In the narrow line
between the onlookers and the plat
form on which Mr.. Wilson was to take
the oath, were drawn up the cadets
of the two greatest government
schools, West Point and Annapolis,
and fanking them were bodies Of reg
ulars and of national guardsmen. The
whole scene was charged with color
and with life.
On reaching the platform the presi-
dent and president-elect took the
seats reserved for them, seats which
were flanked by many rows Of benches
rising tier on tier for the accommoda-
ton Of the friends and families Of the
officers Of the government and of the
press.
Mr.. Wilson Takes the Oath.
The instant. that Mr.. Taft and Mr..
Wilson came within sight Of the crowd
there was great outburst Of ap-
plause, and the military bands struck
quickly into "The Star Spangled Ban
ner." Only few bars Of the music
were played and then soldiers and e.
villains became silent to witness re-
spectfully the oath taking and to
listen to the address which followed.
The chief Justice Of the Supreme
court delivered the oath to the presi-
dent-elect who. utterin1 the words.