The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1921-03-10
1T IS NOW PRESIDENT
AIaDnrM n IlAnnIAIn
WAkkEN d, HAkDING
NEW PRESIDENT TAKES OVER
REINS FRIDAY


Same Bible Used In WashingtOn's
Induction Into Office Is Also Used
In Harding's Inaugural Ceremonies
New President Buckles Down to
WOrE-W Woodrow Wilson Busy I'm
til Last HOur-Did Not Witness
All Of Inauguration Owing to Ill
ness.
The reins of presidential authority
passed from Woodrow Wilson to
Warren G.. Harding Friday in an
inaugural ceremony at once the
simplest and most dramatic Of gem
GRAFTON.
The drama centered about the re-
tirement Of Woodrow Wilson to priv
ate life. Insistent to the last mo-
ment that he would carry out re-
firing Presidents customary part in
the ceremonies, Mr.. Wilson finally
ielded 10 the pleading Of relatives
and to the warning of his physician
that He might endanger his life and
only accompanied his successor to the
capitol
AIS he descended from the White
House portico to enter the waiting
automobile, secret service men placed
his feet on each descending step;
when he left the car to enter the
capitol he was practically lifted up a
Nt flight nf steps by ali attend
ant, and, although he walked alone
with the aid Of cane to the presi-
dents room, where he signed bills,
he told Senator Knox, chairman Of
fae ongrs ssional inaugural commit
tee, that he was not equal to partici-
pating in the ceremony of inaugur-
ating Vice President Coolidge in the
Senate chamber, nor in the ceremony
of inaugurating President Harding
Al the portico facing the plaza out
side.
Alter few moments at the capt.
TIL Mr.. Wilson went to his private
home to become "plain Woodrow Viii
son now" as he expressed it, and he
never even glanced ait the White
House as he passed by on his way.
Before Mr.. Harding had been pres
ident an hour he had revived pre-
cedent set bY George Washington by
comforting with the Senate in execu-
tive session, submitting in person
the nonsinations of his TO cabinet Of
ficers, all Of which Immediately were
confirmed.
Within an hour he had gone to the
White House to "hang UP his hat
and 10 to work" as ne himself Of
ten had said, and unlocked the White
House gates, which for four years
had been closed to the public. The
public celebrated the event by actu-
ally 0Yerrunning the grounds and
peeping through the windows to see
the new president in conference with
cabinet officers.
Mr.. Harding took the oath Of Of
flee at lib pm, exactly eight years
to the minute from the time the
same words OF obligation were spok-
en- by Mr.. Wilson at his first inaugu-
ration. The inaugural ceremonies,
conforming to Mr.. Hardings wishes,
were kept free from almost every
snow of the pomp and circumstance
that usually surrounded the incom-
ing Of chief executive. Thousands
witnessed the oath and cheered the
old and new presidents along Penn
sylvania Avenue, but the crowd was
only fraction Of the customary in
auguration tnTongs.
On the Bible used by George
Washington aJ his first induction in
to office, and on a verse Of Scrip
ture extolling the virture Of an hum
bic talEn In God, Mr.. Harding plight
ed his best ability to the presidency.
In his inaugural address he reaf-
firmed his reverence for the tradi-
tions of the fathers and reiterated
his belief that tine supreme task
ahead was to bring the country once
ln0re to n0rmalcy.
Sound amplifiers carried MS voice
to the outskirts of the big assembly.
IA chilled wind, feebly warmed by
bright sun, swept the broad space
which appeared strangely in contrast
Or ociler years, when it was illumi-
mated by the Informs Of West Point
cadets, midshipmen from Annapolis
and troops.
Mr.. Wilson's share in the inaugu-
ration ceremonies remained in doubt
to the last. 1t was not until he had
finished the business that called him
4 to the capitol that the retiring pres
ident made known his final yielding
to the entreaties of his physician
and Mrs. Wilson to spare himself the
ordeal his physical condition would
make of adherence to precedent.
From the moment he emerged
from the White House to mount first
to the rear seat Of the automobile
aag carried them to the capitol, Mr..
Wilson was shown utmost courtesy
by Mr.. Harding, who lost no oppor-
tunity to spare the presidents feel
ings. AS he started the painful de-
scent Of the White House steps, Mr..
Wilson was aided by secret service
men, who placed his feet on each
step and then on the running board
Of the automobile. After he sank
back into his seat on the right, Mr..
Harding stepped in and they rode
side BY side down Pennsylvania
avenue, neither, in courtesy to the
other, responding to the cheers or
saIutes that greeted them.
AIT the capitol the car drew up
first at the senate wing entrance
under the great steps that sweep up
the main floor. Mr.. Harding and
others in the car, except Mr.. Wilson,
alighted, and here the crowd waited.
Evidently It had been prearranged
that there should be no public COM |