Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1929-03-07
HOOVER, CURTIS
ASSUME HIGHPO
Throngs Brave Driving Rain For
Hours to Honor New Executive
Splendor Marks Ceremony.

| lcan people To-Day WIN solemn cere-
mony placed Herbert Hoover in the
higest office within their gift-that
of president of the United States.
With a pelting, stinging rain fall
ing, he swore TO uphold and defend
the constitution of the United States,
kissed verse in the Bible and began
the gravest- duty ever demanded of
him in his life of far flung activity.
And, turning to his inaugural ad-
dress he made a pledge to enforce
all laws, including the prohibition
amendment, to The full extent of his
ability.
Into office with this California
engineer and orphaned Quaker went
Charles Curtis, who had risen from
an Indian reservation to the vice
presidency. The two then rode down
the historic route from the capitol to
the White House, bareheaded, rain
beaten, but smiling their happiness
over one of the msot remarkable
and induring ovations given any.
president in recent years.
For nearly four hours the thou
sands stood in the driving rain wait
ing to do honor to the foremost two
Americans. They filled the long
rows of water soaked stands lining
the route; they perched upon peril
Gus, slippery Lodges of buildings
thanking the street. Dripping win
dows were filled with peering faces,
and roof tops were heavy with hu-
nanity.
On the capitol plaza, shining with
it's watery film, the thousands with
water dripping clothes, saw Mr..
Hoover kiss a verse in the Bible
which sealed his fealty to his coun-
trymen. That verse said: "Where
there is no vision the people perish;
but he that keepeth the law, happy
is he."
And when the solemn ceremony
was over they remained defiant Of
the weather to see the impressive
tribute paid TO the incoming head of
the nation by representatives of
nearly every group of American life.
The train of events leading up to
the ceremonial installation of the
president and vice president began
at 10 o'clock in the morning and the
two central figures started for the
White House to join President and
Mrs. Coolidge. Mr.. Hoover rode
with Mrs. Hoover in a White House
automobile from his home on S
street, while Senator Curtis and his
sister, Mrs. Edward E. Gam, pro-
ce ded to the executive mansion in
9 congressional car.
After a short stay at the White
House the official party, including
the President and Mrs. Coolidge de-
parted in motor cavalcade for the
capitol. Reaching the capitol, Pres
ident Coolidge and his successor-to-
be entered the presidents room .on
the senate side, and there awaited
the moment for the induction into
office of Mr.. Curtis. The rain was
showering the senate skylights when
the senate finally adjourned and the
inaugural parity moved toward the
open-air stand on the plaza for the
swearing in of Mr.. Hoover. Chief
Justice Taft administered the oath
of office to Mr.. Hoover on the goth
anniversary Of the day Taft himself
had taken over the reins of govern
ment from Theodore Roosevelt, and
president-el stood there until
the few words of obligation made
them one president and two former
presidents. The plaza ceremonies
complete, Mr.. Coolidge and Mrs.
! Coolidge departed for their journey
homeward, and the procession of ac-
claim was formed. The president
and vice president rode to the White
House ahead of the parade for
luncheon. AS they passed in auto
mobiles, with tops down, they re-
peatedly waved their high top hats
to the cheering spectators. Half an
hour later the two leading figures in
the events Of the day, surrounded
by members of their families, were
seated in the reviewing stand to re-
turn salutes to the thousands who
marched by in honor of a new pres
ident.
The end of the trudging column
passed few minutes before five
o'clock. Then President Hoover in
vited into the White House the Re-
publican national committee, the
members Of the new and old cabinet
and the committees which arranged