Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-03-05
Simple Ceremony
Continued from Page One)

ing, spot selected in the historic
compromise of generations ago when
the House and Senate each commended
that the inauguration should take
place within its own precincts.
While Congress was winding up its
eleventh hour business, the official
congressional committee called at the
White House to escort the Presi-
dent to the Capitol. This was soon
after eleven o'clock. Pennsylvania
avenue, despite the restricted pro-
gram which cut down the show, was
packed as the President, escorted by
a troop of cacalry and guarded by
secret service men, passed along. Al
the Capitol he went at once to the
Presidents room adjoining the senate
chamber and busted himself disposing
OF acts of Congress which either be-
came laws by his signature. or which
nuder the constitution got pocket
vetoes" If he choose not to sign them.
The prelude to the inaugural pro-
cession, for the presidents journey to
the Capitol is always the first part
of theactual ceremony, was quite diff
ferent from that of two yaers ago,
for President Coolidge had no outgo-
ing president to accompany him.
Four years ago. Warren Gamaliel
Harding, 4 picture of robust health
SO soon to pass away, rode with the
pathetic figure Of Woodrow Wilson
and with deprecatory gestures to the
crowd. stilled cheers intended for him
cut of consideration for the already
dying man who rode in the carriage
beside him. Little did anyone dream
that before another Inauguration had
rolled around, Harding would have
preceded Wilson to the great beyond.
While President Coolidge was at
work in the Presidents room at the
Capitol Vice Presiden- elect Dawes
and his party arrived and took their
places in the vice presidents room
where they were greeted by Senator
Cummins OF Iowa, who since Mr..
Coolidge became president has pre-
sided over the senate. There Mr..
Dawes and his party awaited the be-
ginning of the vice presidential in
augural ceremonies in the senate
chamber. which preceded by a few
minutes the Inauguration of Presi-
dent Coolidge in the open air outside.
The senate galleries early had been
filled by those fortunate enough to
get cards of admission. Many wo-
men scarcely less wei known than
their husbands in national affairs
shared places with members and
families of the diplomatic corps and
the official set.
Just as the Sixty eighth Congress
died by Constitutional limitation at
noon, the senate of the sixty ninth
Congress came into being, called in
; to special session to consider execu-
! tive appointments, and incidentally,
, to inaugurate the vice president. A
! special session of the senate is really
not necessary to inaugurate the vice
president; he could take the oath of
office before justice of the peace If
he chose. and then meet with the
senate when it assemblies in regular
session next winter, but it Is the GUS
tom.
| The diplomatic corps, all invited to
the ceremonies, assembled in the
marble room which adjoins the
chamber. respondent in the gorgeous
full dress court uniforms. A new
doyen headed them this time, Senior
Riano. the Spanish ambassador. He
took his place as dean with the de-
parture of the former French am
bassador. Jules j. Jusserand, who
had occupied the place of honor at
~ Po'iouS Inaugural ceremonies.
The diplomatic corps entered the
chamber according to rank and pre-
cedence, fixed in order of the time
they have been accredited to the
United States. the ambassadors lead
ing the line and the ministers coming
after them.
Then came the justices of the Su-
preme Court, headed by Chief JUS
tice Taft, in their sombre black silk
robes of the bench and taking chairs
placed for them at the right of the
incoming Vice. President. After them
members of the House of Represen-
tatives entered through the main
dcor and took places reserved for
them on the west side of the cham
Der. while the senators gathered at
their reserved places on the east.
Srrinkled among them We're distin-
guished officers of the army and
navy, few former members of
Congress and last, persons who have
received the thanks of Con-
gress and therefore are entitled to
places on such occasions.
When all the party was assembled
the senate chamber, a comparatively
small room which ordinarily seats sc
and attaches contained