The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 5, 1897, Page 1

e G e e ——— e e i I S s Sy sy | This Paper not to be taken from the Library.++** a | \ y. VOLUME LX\:\' PRICE FIVE CENTS. | MKINLEY INAUGURATED PRESIDENT. ASHINGTON, D. C., March 4 —William McKinley of Ohio, at twenty-seven minutes past 1 o'clock to-day, succeeded Grover Cleveland as President of the United States, when he was sworn to preserve, protect and defend the constitu- tion. Before an assemblage of fellow-citizens as representative of Amerjcan manhood and womanhood as greeted any previous chief magistrate, and as great in numbers as the accommodations would permit, the fourth son of the State of Ohio to occupy the high office became the head of a nation of 70,000,000 people. The day broke bright, clear and crisp. The memory of the last two iauguration days was sufficient to cause worry to anybody, which on passed. There have been inaugural davs that have come down rom generations past as wonderfully beautiful with regard to weather onditions. Such days have been in the minority, for March is not the pleasantest month in the year, even in balmy Washineton. This morning & few clouds were in the sky, but they were clouds of a ort that precurse nothing disagreeable. The newsboys were the first to awaken the town into sctivity, and they were soon augmented by the :e fakers, selling gold-bug badges, and the gilt-capped men who sold al programmes. Between 6 and 7 o'clock, however, the streets and avenues in the central part of the city became alive with human activity. Enterprising excursionists who arrived late yesterdhy or in. the early ours of the morning, and who feared for their chances of viewing the 11te Honuse, wandered through the grounds surrounding the historic iansion belore the sun was well above the horizon. By 9 o’clock the sun came out fnll and sttong and served to temper the slight chill of the atmosphere. Pennsylvania avenue was, of course, the center resort of the early sightseers. They walked along the broad pavements congratulating themselyes and acquaintances on the perfect day that had been given for the occasion. It was just cool enough to make a light overcoat comfortable. It was after 8 o'ciock before the first blare of trumpets reminded the people that the military parade would shortly assemble. By 9 o’clock the avenue, as the broad highway is best known, was pretty well crowded. People had begun to take positions along the curbs and to bank up st particular points of vantage. In'the vicinity of the White Hcuse and the Ebbi:t House the crowds soon grew to large'numbers. Bands playing lively airs followed the bodies of troops, the latter to take part in the parade, as they marched to the proper positions in the line. The regular troops, whic’ were to form the escort of the President and President-elect from the White House to the Capitol, formed the principal attraction for the sightseers strung along the avenue irom the White House toward the Cavitol building. They marched along with a swinging step that struck the admiration of the spectators, and frequent applause marked the passage of each body to its assigned position. . At 10 o'clock streetcars crossing the line of march were stopped by the police, and wire ropes that blocked passage along the thoroughfare over which the procession passed’ were stretched across the side streets so that vehicles and other spectators were prevented from going beyond the curbs, The White House grounds were closed early in the morning to all ex- cept those entitled by ticket or otherwise to admission there. People Who had green slips of cardboard thut gave entrance to the reviewing stand began coming early, satisfied to sit for many hours in anticipation of the military siiow which would end the inaugural ceremonies proper. Mrs. Cleveland had a number of callers during the morning, including the ladies composing the Cabinet circle and a few intimate friends. The members of the Cabinet assembled early in the Cabinet-room and sat for the last time around the long table at which their conferences had been beld. Prg’ ‘ent Cleveland meanwhile was in the private part of the house busily /# £pecting and acting on batches ot Congressional bills that were being ¢ fivered at intervals by messengers from tue Capitol. Mr. Cleveland felt decidedly better of his rheumatic attack, but did nos take any chances, and rested the troublesome right foot'on a chair as he pro- ceeded with his last official work. . - + At the Ebbitt House the President-elect was preparing for the day, - - ] At 8 o'clock he sat down to breakiast with a better appetite than he has had at any time since his recent iliness. Mrs. McKinley took breakfast 1n her apartments. At 10 o’clock Senator Sherman and Senator Mitchell of Wisconsin, the committee from the Senate of the United States ap- pointed to escort the President-elect from his hotel to the White House, were ushered into Major McKinley’s room. At ten minutes past 10 Sena- or Sherman said: “I think it is time to start if you are ready, Mr. Presi- dent."” Senator Sherman and Major McKinley set out. They were followed by Senator Mitchell, Abner McKiniey, Secretary Porter and Captain H. O. Heistand. The President-elect entered his carriage amid cheers. Senator Sherman sat beside h'= and Senator Mitchell and Mr. Dougherty opposite him. Thus they were driven to the White House. A cheer from the crowd gathered around the east entrance to the White House grounds gave voice to those in waiting in the big mansion that the Pres- ident-elect was approaching. Troop A of Cleveland, the personal escort of Major McKinley, led the way up the broad asphalted driveway, their arms and accoutrements sparkling in the sun. They presented a handsome appearance. Every man except the bugler, whose animal was purposely in contrast with those of his comrades, rode's mettlesome black horse. A call from the bugler sent the troop in columns of fours to the right of the portico covering the carriage entrance, and another call brought men and animals into a long line facing the entrance to the mansion. Senator Sherman’s car- riage, drawn by two horses, was guided skillfully up to the steps leading to the main door. Major McKinley, looking fresh, vigorous and well dressed, jumped out briskly, followed by Senator Sherman and Senator Mitchell. Major McKinley. walked across the portico and through the entrance to his future home with an easy, dignified swing. The tall form of his Becretary of Slate towered above him at his side, while Senator Mitchell brought up the rear. The White House .employes, formed in line across the public lobby, bowed as Major McKinley passed them. The big doors separating the public from the private part of the house were thrown s o i D g e, 0 wide open, and through these Major McKinley walked, taking off his hat as he crossed the threshold. It was then 10:20 o’clock. Vice-President-elect Hobart left the Arlington at 10:30 o’clock. With Senator Elkins of West Virg:nia he entered a carriage at the private en- trance. There wasa large crowd to see the Vice-President make his first start on a journey of four years of public life at the National capital. The windows of the hot:l were crowded with ladies. Drawn up on the plaza in front of the hotel was the Essex troop of Newark, N. J., to escort Mr. Hobart to the Capitol. When Mr. Hobart appeared at the entrance he was greeted with prolonged cheers. He gracelully acknowledged the salute by raising his hat. The troop came to salute and at the command of “‘right about” the procession turned the corner, and by a round-about way went to the Capitol. When Major McKinley and the two Senators entered the oval-shaped biueroom nobody was there to receive them. President Cleveland wag busily engaged upstairs putting his signature to bills and joint resolus tions. Meanwhile, members of the Cabinet walked in to greet the income« ing executive, and there was a pleasant exchange of courtesies. But the wait was much longer than anybody expected. 1t was exactly half an hour after the President-elect entered the blueroom before Mr. Cleveland came downstairs to greet him. They spent a mintte or two only in cone ventionalities, and then word was given to General Howe of the armys aid to the grand marshal, that they were ready to start for the Capitol. It was a dignified procession that walked from the blueroom to the carriage waiting under the portico. The approach of the Presidential party to the Capitol building was made through a vast concourse of people, and the appearance of the retiring and the incoming Chief Execu- tive was announced by vociferous cheers that were heard distinctly within the walls of the Senate c:ambers. The elevators of the Senate wing, which had been shat down in order to better handle the crowds, were pressed into service for Mrs. McKinley, who arrived ahead of her husband. She repaired to an adjacent committee-room for a short rest before taking her seat in tte gallery, which, owing to the enormous erowd that bad been forced into the chamber, was suffocatingly hot. The Presidential party walked up the main steps of the entrance o the - N R e