The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1921-03-04


been adhered to strictly, the cere-
monies would have been even more
simple, but the Congressional Inau2 ~
raj Committee made some arrange
ents on its own account These in
cluded cavalry escort of four troops
for the President on his ride from his
hotel to the capitol and thence to TIE
White House.
This little cavalcade, contrasted
strangely with the great military and
civil professions which have attended
lnaugurations for half a century or
more.
Besides the cavalry escort, the Con-
gresslonal Committee also had ar
ranged to have several companies of
Marines in full dress uniform at the
capitol as guard of honor and for
the presence of the Marine Band
"the Presidents Own which ply
ed "The Star Spangled Banner" i'm
mediately after Mr.. Harding had tax
en- the oath of office.
The very simplicity of the cercmon-
les on the East portico of the capitol
added to their impressiveness. Sim
pie and impressive also were those
in the Senate Chamber, where Calvin
Coolidge was sworn in by Vice-presi-
dent Marshall and where Mr.. Cool
idge in turn swore into Office the new
senators elected last November.
The days ceremonies began with
formal calls on the President t-elect
and Vice-president- elect at the New
Willard hotel bv the Congressional
Committee, headed by Senator Knox,
of Pennsylvania.
Leaving the hotel the presidential
party proceeded to the White House,
where President Wilson entered the
automobile occupied by the president
elect Mrs. Wilson Joined Mrs. Hard
ing in another automobile and the
trip to the capitol then was started.
Vice President Marshall and Vice
President elect Coolidge occupied the
second automobile in the procession,
while Mrs. Marsha'l and Mrs. Cool
idge rode in another car with some
members of the congressional COM
mittee. Other members of the COM
mittee rode with the president and
president elect and with Mr. Marshall
and Mr.. Coolidge.
Pennsylvania avenue from the
White House to the capitol was
crowded with home folks and visitors
anxious for glimpse of the new and
retiring Presidents. There were no
reviewing stands and most of the
spectators were forced to stand along
the sidewalks. The more fortunate
had seats in windows facing the
avenues.
At the capitol the East plaza with
its standing room for thousands was
packed and the crowd overflowed out
over the park spaces and avenues
which converge there. Most of these
thousands were able to hear the in
augural address as Mr.. Harding's
voice was carried far out by means
of contemplating device installed
over the platform.
When the official party arrived at
the capitol it was escorted into q
room off the Senate chamber and the
Vice President and Mrs. Coolidge
went to the presidents room
to await the beginning of the cere-
monies in the Senate chamber. Pres
ident Wilson was in his room at the
capitol signing bills which had been
passed in the closing hours of the
Sixty-sixth Congress.
Senate galleries had been filling
long before this hour. Invited guests
of the new President, Vice President,
Speaker and Justices of the Supreme
court Of the United States supplied
with coveted cards of admission, were
assigned to the East side. Guests of
senators were assigned to the north
east gallery and guests of representa-
tives to seats in the three West ones.
The party in the galleries was
little less distinguished than that on
the floor. 1t was composed of Amer
lean women scarcely less known than
their husbands taking part in the GER
emony below, families of foreign
diplomats and men and other women
in the forefront of the social life of
the nation.
While the Senate was assembling
for its special session the first of the
9th Congress, the diplomatic corps
was arriving and assembling in the
chamber.
Gorgeous IN Ine cOlOfS ana POlu vi
their court uniforms the corps entered
headed by its dean, the Ambassador
of France, Jules J. Jusserand, the
other diplomats entered by preced-
ence in the order of the time they
have been accredited to this country,
the ambassadors coming first and he
last.
Next came the Chief Justice and
the Associate Justices of the Supreme
Court, in the sombre black silk gowns
of office, moving slowly and dignified