People's Pilot, Volume 6, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 April 1897 — THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY

A few minutes after one o’clock Thursday afternoon (as certified by the Postal Telegraph Company) Major McKinley, with bared head raised his right hand and swore before God to defend the constitution of the United States, as the chief executive oflicer of all this people, for the next four years. Chief Justice Fuller, who administered the oath of office, appeared more solemn than on any previous occasion, he having officiated in 1889 and 1893. Every word of the oath was read and uttered in clear, distinct tones that were plainly heard several hundred feet away. Mr. McKinley was calm and collected. This was the occasion to which he had looked for many years. Now the moment was at hand when he was to assume the highest office ever created by man. He bowed his head slightly as the chief justice read. As he pronounced the words of the oath assigned to him he raised his eyes slightly heavenward. There was something in it all that marked the occasion as severely solemn. The effect was not lost on 50,000 people that thronged the vicinity of the historic east portico of the The cheer that went up as President McKinley lowered his hand began with a low sound which raised from the extremes like the rolling of distant thunder. As it burst at its highest pitch it almost shook the capitol. It is always customary to cheer the new executive as he concludes the oath of office, but no president was ever inducted into office with such manifestations of joy. As the cheers died away the new president turned toward the throng, and, with bible still in hand delivered his address to the people. THE DAY’S CEREMONIES. How President McKinley Was Imluotsd Into Office. Washington Special: There have been many inaugurations in Washington but in many respects that of March 4, 1897, will go down in history as excelling all that have gone before. The citizens of the capital city worked to that end with a degree of energy unknown even in this ceremony-loving community and the great popular demonstration was a unique and shining success in every particular. In beauty, in taste, in novelty the decorations of the city were incomparably superior to anything ever seen in Washington; the magnificent body of regular United States troops was more numerous than any gathered since Grant’s great display at the close of the war; seventeen sovereign states had their citizens in the line of parade and over sixty civil organizations helped to swell its magnificent proportions. Along the broad avenue, on every open space, were erected grand stands that, instead of being disfigurements to the scene, as has been the case in days gone by—mere scaffolds of rough bQards —were not only comfortably covered and of pretty architectural design but were most appropriately and substantially decorated. The citizens had spent money with a liberal hand to beautify their houses and with the aid of the thousands of flags of every kind loaned by the national government Pennsylvania, the great artery avenue of the city, was turned into a rainbow of bright color, in which Old Glory predominated. The line of march of the parade was longer than usual —full four miles in sact —made so to ease the pressure of spectators upon the line in the central section of the city and to insure the maintenance of the line unbroken, Gen. Horace Porter, the grand marshal. reviewed the parade from a point on Vermont avenue and K street well along toward the place set for disbanding. The rain of Wednesday was followed by a northwester which, while sweeping away the heavy clouds, also attained at times almost the proportions of a gale. This moderated, however, during the night and as the sun rose in the morning there remained only a smooth, steady breeze straight out from the northwest, which held the myriad of flags flying over the city out at their full length and brought just enough frost in it to stimulate the circulation of the early risers. Everybody agreed that it was an ideal inauguration day as far as the weather was concerned, for those who expected to march in the parade, while the increasing warmth of the sun as it mounted higher in the blue sky reassured in the persons who feared for their comfort in the covered grand stands. At five minutes to 10 okflock Senator Sherman and Senator Mitchell of Wisconsin of the senate committee appointed to conduct the inauguration appeared and announced that they had come to escort the preiident-elect to

the capitol. Five minutes after 10 o’clock the president-elect emerged from his reception-room on the arm of Senator Sherman. He looked calm and walked firmly. Just behind him came Secretary Porter, with Senator Mitchell of Wisconsin. Capt. Heistand of the army, with Abner McKinley, brought up the rear and kept back the people who pressed upon the party, even in the hotel corridors. As the president-elect emerged from the private entrance of the Ebbitt on 14th street, beside the tall form of Senator Sherman, there was a roar of applause that shook the buildings. The street was packed with a solid mass of people, through which the carriage that was to convey the president-elect to the white house could scarcely be driven. While the police struggled to clear a passage through the crowd the presi-dent-elect stood at the head of the granite steps and bowed his acknowledgments. The applause became deafening as he crossed the sidewalk and mounted the carriage step, so great that he stopped again, while the horses reared and champed uneasily in the din, and turned from side to side with uncovered head, his face expressing the appreciation he felt of this great manifestation of popular esteem. The president-elect was seated with Senator Sherman, sitting on the rear right seat, and Senator Mitchell and Mr. Porter occupied the front seat. At 10:10 the start was made for the white house amid renewed cheering by the crowd. Troop A of the Cleveland crack cavalry troop, comprising about 100 men,

splendidly mounted on black chargers, opened the way through the mass of people, with a line stretching almost across the street; the coachman gave the word to his horses, the carriage fell in behind and the way was taken down 14th street to Pennsylvania avenue and to the white house. All along the line of march to the capitol the crowds cheered Mr. McKinley with great outbursts of popular approval. He lifted his hat at intervals. It was twenty minutes past 11 when the head of the parade approached the Peace monument on Pennsylvania avenue, below the steps to the west front of the capitol. The parade was twentyfive minutes passing the monument, and the manner in which the regulars executed the difficult movements required to make the double turn about the corners was decidedly brilliant. Grand Marshal Porter, waiting at the top of the hill, signaled to the Cleveland troop escorting the Presidential carriage. They wheeled into the capitol grounds and scampered to

the front of the steps of the senate wing, the carriage following at a brisk gait. General Porter swung from his horse aiyi stood at the door of the carriage. Senator Mitchell first alighted, then Senator Sherman, and General Porter gave a helping hand to President Cleveland, who stepped out next, and then to the President-elect. Senator Caffery, a Democrat, escorted President Cleveland, and Presidentelect McKinley walked after, beside his secretary of state, who towered above him. Thus they entered the senate wing of the capitol. President-Elect McKinley went at once to the VicePresident’s room and President Cleveland and cabinet to the President’s room. INSTALLED IN OFFICE. Formal Inaugural Ceremonies In the Senate Chamber. Washington Special: The senate chamber was the center of attraction and early in the day the galleries presented a picture to which an artist’s palette alone could do justice. The diplomatic corps entered the chamber at 11:45, followed a moment later by the chief justice and associate justices of the Supreme Court. They filed slowly down the aisle in gorgeous regalia and silken robes, the crowds on the floor and in the galleries standing respectfully until they were seated. The members of the house of representatives, headed by Speaker Reed, with Mr. Dingley. the tariff leader, near at hand, then entered the chamber.

There was a stir of interest when senate officials announced the Vice-President-elect. Mr. Hobart entered from the right door, bowed slightly to the standing senators and officials, and stepped to the Beat near the presiding officer’s desk. All this wa3 but accessory to the main scene which had been so eagerly awaited, the arrival of President Cleveland and President-Elect McKinley. It was just 12:20 when they entered the main doors, facing the Vice-Pres-ident, and attention was riveted at once on these two central figures. As they moved down the middle aisle Mr. Cleveland was a trifle in advance, stepping haltingly and with a suggestion of his recent rheumatic trouble. His face looked grave. Mr. McKinley followed closely, his poise being easy and dignified. He bowed to the presiding officer and, with Mr. Cleveland, was seated immediately in front of the platform, facing the senate and thecrowds. On the left sat Major General Miles,

commanding officer of the army, and Admiral Brown, senior officer of tho navy, both in full uniform. The members of the outgoing cabinet were in a semi-circle to the left, facing the outgoing and incoming presidents. On the opposite side of the center aisle, in a semi-circle, were Chief Justice Fuller and the associate justices, wearing their long silk robes, the circle of silvered heads and strong faces making a picture of dignity and force. Back of the supreme court judges were the ministers of foreign countries, wearing their rich uniforms of black and red, the breasts resplendent with gold and embroidery, from which hung many court decorations. The members of the house of representatives filled the entire body of the hall on the right side and on the opposite area of the chamber sat the senators and senators-elect. As the presidential party took their seats Vice President Stevenson rose and invited his successor to step forward

and take the oath of office. Mr. Hobart advanced to the desk, raised his right hand and took the oath in accordance with the constitution. Mr. Stevenson then delivered his valedictory address, speaking hoarsely, as a result of a recent strain. Mr. Hobart then for the first time exercised his official functions by calling the senate to order. Mr. Hobart moved aside for the blind chaplain of the senate, Rev. Dr. Milburn, who, In impressive voice, delivered the first invocation to the new senate. As the chaplain closed Vice President Hobart addressed the senate for the first time, speaking in strong, wellmodulated tones. i The proclamation of the outgoing president calling an extra session of the senate having been read, Vice-Presi-dent Hobart requested the new senators to advance and take the oath of office. No exact order was observed, the oath being given to four senators at one time. Meantime, while the oaths were be-

ing administered, Mr. Cleveland and Mr. McKinley sat talking in a low tone. It was clearly a most agreeable exchange, for the old president and the new smiled every now and then as they nodded acquiescence to each other. It was noted that Secretary of State 01ney and Secretary Lamont were not among the cabinet officers present. It was 1:05 p. m. when the last oath was administered, and then the formal exit began, the supreme Judges going first, then Mr. Cleveland and President McKinley and the other officials following. Just before the official party withdrew Mrs. McKinley and the mother of the president were escorted from the gallery to the east front of the capitol, where the oath of office was about to be taken by the new president. The occupants of the public gallery were held in their places for some time in order not to block the procession of officials. Gradually the chamber was deserted and the scene of action removed to the east front of the capitol. Detectives on Guard, There were at least two men on board the Presidential train from Canton, with the McKinley party, whose names have not appeared in the published lists. They were two of the shrewdest detectives in the country, who, almost unknown, even to the members of the party, accompanied

the President-elect and his family to Washington and Insured safety to the coming executive. Not a movement was made that escaped their vigilant watch, and, while no danger was apprehended from any source, the precaution was taken to avoid against any possible contingency which might arise. Of course nothing transpired to need the services of the men, but they were there and ready in case they should be required to act. These officers did not allow themselves to get far awry from Mr. McKinley until after he had taken possession of the White House. There were all told nearly one hundred out-of-town detectives In Washington from all of the larger cities of the country, who augmented the local force, and not only aided in protecting the President, but assisted in picking up crooks who were there in droves to ply their “profession.” President McKinley’s carriage, in which he rode to the capitol to be

sworn in, was guarded on each side by two mounted officers, detailed for the purpose. The entire length of the avenue was picketed by the best men on the force, while a large detail of officers were stationed about the capitol grounds.

PRESIDENT M’KINLEY AND EX-PRESIDENT CLEVELAND RETURNING FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.