Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 March 1905 — Inauguration of President Roosevelt. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Inauguration of President Roosevelt.

Washington correspondence: Theodore ’ Roosevelt has been duly Inaugurated President of the United States. He pronounced the oath of office with impressive solemnity as he stood before the white-haired Chief Justice on the Capitol plaza Saturday afternoon, and then reverently kissed the Bible opened before him. That was the final act of the making of a President, after the people had expressed their will at the polls more than four months before, and electoral college had declared the will of the people in Congress three months later. There were intermediate steps and many formalities, but this simple act of the taking of the oath to preserve,? protect and defend the constitution of the United States was the culminating act/'by which Theodore Roosevelt placed* the crown of authority upon his head and became the chief executive of over 76,000,uu0 people. It falls to comparatively few' people to behold such a spectacle as that which those on the plaza saw before them as the President took the oath of office. In front, acres and acres of humanity, with upturned faces. In trees and upon the ornamental lampposts decorations of human form and shape. Clambering over the statuary which graces the portico of the grandest of all national statehouses, hundreds of adventurous youths and men. High upon the noble dome, peering over hazardous ledges, peeping out from every porthole in the glass roof, still other representatives of Americans who will see or die. In the background of this vast picture tlie Beautiful library of Congress, fit monument to the artistic and educational instincts of a people who escorted to the executive chair their twenty-seventh President in a little more than a hundred years of national life—a libr.-.vy which takes first rank in all the world of beauty of architecture and adornment. Surrounding this building, the pride of the national capital, and in every direction as far as vision goes, could be seen the glint of steel, the flying mane of cavalry horses, the shimmer of the uniforms of the troops. Federal and State, alike prepared to defend the common country, but waiting in patience to do escort honor. The inspiring program was carried out in all of its interesting details. In the swift panorama of the day followed in succession the stately presidential procession from White House to Capitol, escorted by troops; the installation of Mr. Fairbanks as Vice President and the new Senators; the taking of the solemn oath of office by Mr. Roosevelt on the Capitol front; the delivery of the inaugural address before the great host of the sovereign people; the gorgeous parade through Washington’s avenues, spangled with flags, and lined with cheering thousands, and the review of the marching battalions by the President in front of the executive mansion. Fireworks

blazed gloriously at night, and in the magnificently decorated pension building youth and beauty, official power and political fame united In the brilliant Inauguration ball as a crowning demonstration. 'l'lils year's inauguration day was perhaps tlie most notable and spectacular event of its kind In the history of the nation. The popularity of President Roosevelt was expressed nt the polls; it was demonstrated in picturesqueness and enthusiasm in connection with his taking the oath of office. It seemed fitting that a record-break-ing President should have a recordbreaking inauguration. In splendor it eclipsed the best of the past and the crowds were larger than ever before. Every estimate placed the number of visitors tj.bove 200,000. The highest previous record is 13(1,000. The capacity of Washington to entertain a crowd was taxed to the limit, and some had to pay dear for their entertainment. Some rooms brought HO for the dav.

The most imposing, if not impressive, portion of tlie inaugural ceremonies undoubtedly took place in the Unitefl, States Senate chamber, and was witnessed by 2,000 people. This was the swearing in of the new VicePresident and the inauguration of the Senate for another term of Congress. These ceremonies were very simple in themselves, but the formality with which they were invested, their exclusiveness and the gathering of distinguished men made it an occasion of peculiar interest. There were gathered all that is considered great in a republic. There were the representatives of the highest legislative bodies in the world, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States; there was the highest tribunal in the world, the Supreme Court of the United States; there were men who would hold tlie highest elective offices in the world, the President and Vice President of the United States of America. In addition there were the representatives of every civilized government

on the face of the earth gathered to do honor to the administration of the United States. There were also gathered wealth, beauty and brains of the country in the gallery. Distinguished and noted men and women endured the crush of the crowded corridors to be present at tills national event. Outside tlie crowds surged around the capita! and filled the great avenue leading thereto. Outside there was cheering Incessant over the statesmen who passed and the military and civic organizations that gathered, but inside the capital, beneath the great dome, there whs an impressive silence as the Senators gravely gathered in the hall, for there Is solemnity us well as enthusiam in the inauguration of a President. The great inaugural parade was. of course, the spectacular event in which everybody was most Interested. It began at about 2 o'clock, after the inaugural address had been delivered. There* ar® various ceremonies lr- connection with an inauguration wiiicu

the public is but little interested in, because a limited number can see them. But the parade is for all. Many saw .it from the stands which were erected along Pennsylvania avenue, on which seats could be obtained at from .$1 to $25 each. These stands were so numerous that a temporary sawmill was built opposite the White House to provide the lumber for them. One of them had a seating capacity of 0,000. But those who occupied seats on the stands and in the windows were a small number compared to the thousands who lined the curbs, and shouted themselves hoarse. They had much to look upon. Washington has seen many splendid parades, but no such variety of uniforms ever appeared on the streets as was seen this year. General O. O. Howard and staff rode at the head. Next came Squadron A, of New York, followed by the Presidential party and the escort of Rough Riders. Then followed the military companies, including regulars, militia and Independent companies. There was similarity of uniform in the mili-

tia brigades and tlie regulars, but the monotony was broken by the scarlet, gold, white, blue and buff of the independent companies. There were cadets and midshipmen, the latter to tlie number of "00 comprising the battalion from Annapolis. There were Filipinos and Porto Ricans in the uniform of Uncle Sam. The non-mllitary section, comprising campaign clubs and organizations made up specially for this occasion, were headed by a band of 75 pieces, followed by tlie Conkling Unconditional* of Utica. N. Y.. to tlie number of 150, wearing uniforms of white and black, and carrying silk flags. In this division were 50 miners, carrying their miners' lamps and dressed In the garb of the mine. They were from Wilkesbarre. Pa.. and represented the miners who are enthusiastic for the President because of his Interference in the miners’ strike. Geronimo and his band of Apaches. Sheriff Bullock, of South Dakota, with a troupe of cowpunchers and a company of converted ban-

dits were in the same column with bankers, lawyers, writers and every type of genteel life as represented by political clubs from all over the country. The inaugural ball was the leading social event. It was briefer than usual for it had to stop at midnight. The floral work was on a more elaborate scale than ever before, and resulted in making the 1 ball as important, interesting and altogether enjoyable an event as the muchly advertised parade. Royal palms, with leaves 25 feet long, were brought up from Porto Rico and challenged the orchids and roses and smilax and ferns for the attention and admiration of the multitude. On the upper balcony of the interior court were placed evergreen trees 20 feet high and everywhere there was a tracery of greens, illuminated by tiny electric light bulbs, of one candle power Overhead, instead of a canopy effect, the artists endeavored to imitate a beautiful Italian sky. The color scheme was bright on the first floor, to add as much as possible to the effect of brilliancy. The color was softened as the decorators worked upward, until by degrees it gave an open-air effect at the top. All along the balconies were strips of laurel, caught up with wreaths. In front of the first balcony, at the top of the columns, were placed large placques of azalias and other brilliant flowers, with vines and greens radiating therefrom. Here and there were pendant baskets of ferns. '

GREAT INAUGURAL PARADE IN PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE.