The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-03-04
Four Years Of Service AZ President Of
the United States Came to
an End To
day.
DELIVERED THE KEYS
Divides Honors With Roosevelt Now
as the Only Living Ex-Pres-
dent Of the United
States.
United Press Special Service. j

4
WASHINGTON, March 4.-Presi
dent Taft became Citizen Taft to-
day. His four years service as chief
executive Of the nation closed when
Woodrow Wilson, with appraised hand
took the solemn oath of office at the
capitol. Citizen Taft divided hon.
ors with former President Theodore
1 Roosevelt SIS living ex-president"
i Tafts retirement was marked by
the courteous dignity for which he has
1 been famous for four years. The
Taft smile" remained wreathing his
face. He was the epitome of philoso-
phic self-effacement.
4 AS President Taft turned over the
reins Of office to his successor, so did
Mrs. Taft relinauish her social
crown as first lady of the land" TO
Mrs. Wilson. Miss Helen Taft also
) yielded to the Misses Wilson.
At almost the same time Citizen"
Taft delivered his Office keys to Pres.
, ident Wilson, Mrs. Taft turned over
i the keys to the white house mansion,
the home of so many presidents, to
its new mistress.
Honor to the outgoing occupants Of
the white house rivaled that shown
the newcomers. The nations GOOD
by" to Mr.. Taft and his family was
with as sincere well wishes as the
welcome to the new presidential fam
lily.
When the president-elect was es-
corted from the Shoreham Hotel to
the white house, at 10:30 this morn
ing, the beginning OF the end of the
Taft administration approached. At
!, 3:05 this afternoon. when their train
left for the south, Washington said
!. It's adieu to the Tafts.
! Mrs. Taft did not welcome Mrs.
Wilson to the white house. With
Helen Taft, the former first LADY,
: had an early breakfast with the pres
!. ident-their last there and then
drove to the w. j. Boardman resi-
dence to remain until President Taft
played his last part in today's drama.
Mrs. Wilson's keys" to the white
8 house were left with the mansions
J. housekeeper, who will be retained by
!. the Wilson family.
Before leaving this morning Mrs.
: Taft put the finishing touches on the
lunchean prepared for the new presi-
$ dent by the outgoing executive after
Wilson's Inauguration.
n President Taft went to his offices
J. for last cleanup early after break
!. fast, and then returned to the white
). house library to await the arrival OF
the president-elect in the east room
q at 1920. There a brief reception was
y held for the president-elect's party
= before the outgoing and incoming
It executives stepped into an open car
g riage, drawn by four horses. for the
o ride to the capitol President Taft
d sat on the right side OF Wilson on the
J. ride down the avenue and on the LET,
II of the new nations chief returning
= after the capitol ceremonies.
= BY returning to the white house
: with the new president Mr.. Taft for
Z lowed precedent practically unbrok
: en- except by President Roosevelt
four years ago, when the latter went
directly from the capitol to his train
at the Union station
Leave-taking of President Wilson
!. by Mr.. Taft was brief, but cordial
' The late president stepped within
!. the white house for only a few min
4 utes. He did not remain for the
luncheon to the new administration
including the democratic national
committee, the officers OF the inaugd
raj committees and relatives and per
sonal friends OF Mr.. Wilson.
Mr. Taft took what was probabl,
his last ride in white house automo
bile, when he went to the Boardmar
home to join Mrs. Taft. There 6
luncheon was served by Mr.. and Mrs
w. ]. Boardman and Miss Mabe
Boardman. Many friends Of the out
going president were invited. Hun
dreds left their cards for the Tafti
W at the Boardman home A militar.
p. escort was provided for the forme
III president for the ride to the station
to There he passed through the presi
dental waiting room and hurried t.
lie the train shed, boarding a privat
is car.
OF Crowds outside the Boardman HON
h. ard in the Union station plaza CAV
,u the former president farewell.
ell Augusta, Ga is the destination 0
e the Tafts. They plan TO remain Their
p about three weeks. before leaving 70
New Haven, Conn, where Mr.. TAT
re will take up his duties as professo
is in the Yale University law schoo
I'D The president said today he propos
w ed to get a good rest, by playing gol
daily and taking complete res
p. cure
At New Haven, the Tafts will sto