MCKINLEY'S 1° URATION, William McKinley of Ohio, the first President to be elected to succeed himeelf since General U.S. Grant, was last Monday inaugurated with a renewal, in great measure, of the enthusiasm with which his installation in office was accomplished four yenrs ago, and Theodore Roosevelt of New York, sworn into office aa Vice-President, shared with the Chiefof the Executive in receiving the acclaims of many thousands, The cheers came from spectators, many of whom had stood for more than an hour drenching rain that took all the life out of the gay decorations, sonked the men in line to the very skin, and marred the satisfaction of the committeeman who had been for weeks mukivg the preparations, of which in the early morning they were so proud. No President lias been his own successor for more than a quarter of a century. It was twenty-eight years ago that Grant stood on the enst front of the Capitol and for the second time took the oath, That was a day that the oldest inhabitant recalls even now with a shudder. It was go cold that the troops had their ents and fingers frost-anda twenty-mile an hour wind was out like a knife. Compared then with now, Monday was mild and gentle, and the residents, a well as the visitors, solaced themselves with the thought that i¢ might have been worse.
All Washington makes ofthe dag be aay. No matter how often the old residents have seen an inauguration, the sight never becomes commonplace to them. On both sides of broad Peunsslvania Avenue—the most historical avenue in Amerion—are the people banked in solid masses, a wire rope wtreiched long the curbs keeping them to the sidewalks, As early as 9 o'clock the regular troops composing the first mi division, the escort of the President to the Capitol, have commenced to assemble on in black, and then the five children, the Peuusyivania Avenue in front of the White oldest boy, 'Pheodore, Jr., being an exact House. There was colour enough here to image in miniature' of his distinguished be seen not to make the time hang heavily. father.
The cadets from the two academies—mili-'At 11.50 Mrs. McKinley entered the tary and naval—the infantry, the cavalry and the artillery all had their admirers, but gallery, "She leave easily on the arm of en. Corbin, and with slow and halting the real object of interest was the battalion steps walked down to her place. Her face from Porto Rice, one of the country's newest was very pale, Mre. Roosevelt rose and possessions, This handful of dark-com-bowed as she took her sent, and Mrs. plexioned men, who looked as next_and McKinley returned the salutation with carefully uniformed ax the rest of Uncle smile so wistful and so pathetic that every-Sam's regulars, brought home very keenly knew that it was only her will the historical changes which the last four power which enabled her to go. through years had wrought. the fatigue of the day. "The floor The White House grounds were closed to remained deserted eave for the Senators, the general public. The first person At 11.52 Senators Hoar and Cockrell, whom the gates were opened was Secretary the committee appointed to wait on the of the Interior Hitchcock, followed a few President to notify him that the two houses minutes later by Major-General Corbin were ready to adjourn if the President fall uniform. Then came Secretary Hay has no further communication to make to and in close succession the other members announced that the President of the Cabinet. Dr. Rixey, the President's 1g more to communicate, and physician, ax is his custom, called, and a for Jones, of Arkansus, tendered few minutes later came Abner McKinley, the thanks of the senate to Vice-President the President's brother, and his wite. pro tem, Frye, for the impartial and able There was x clatter of hoofs, a clanking of manner in which he had performed the sabres, the flush of steel in the air, and the duties aa presiding officer. In the meantime famous troop A, of Cleveland, locally known the members of the Cabinet hnd quietly as the "Blick Horse Cavalry" dished up entered the chamber and taken seats in the the circular driveway in front of the ins front row on the right of the Vice-President, sion and drew rein at the entrance. There with Admiral Dewey and Lieut.-Gen. Miles are eighty men in the troop and they were closing the line, Tt was now 11.56, and all mounted on superb black horses wi Senator Frye rose to return hin thanks for pawed and champed as they stood xt atten-the resolution which the Senate had adopted, tion, The members of the troop were the Shortly after, the doorkeeper approached President's perial escort. The President's the main entrance and announced, "The carriage drove up. It was drawn by four Speaker and the members of the House of horses, the leaders coal plucks and the wheelers bays. The harness was silver The Senate rose in deference to its guests, mounted, and the driver and footman, wh for at the inauguration of a President the were coloured, wore long buff overcoats trin Senate plays host, und everybody with med with silver buttons. The President gates is a guest, and while the Sp stepped into his carriage. The joint com-advanced to the Vice-Presidential dis, to mittee of Congress, cuusisting of Senator take his ploce on the right of the Vice-Hanna and Congressmen Cannon and President, the Members sceimubled for sents McRae, follower The bugler blew a behind the desks of the Senators, shrill blast. Theeizhty swords were brought Hardly ind the Senators xnd Membere to the carry, x sharp word of command rang settled thenelves in their sents when the out, and the troop moved slowly to the main doorkeeper announced, The Ambusaadors gate, the carriage following ata walk. Other to the United States, the Ministers to the carriages drove up, into which the members United States" Then there burst on the of the Cubinet entered, the tine clo: eyes of the spectators a dazzling vision of with the Lieutenant-Generul of the Army purple and gold. Lord Pauncefote, the and the Admiral of the Navy who sat side doyen of the diplomatic corps, a Inrge man, by side, their aides tueing them, looking the fitting representative of royalty, The cavalry escort wheeled from the heads the line. he front of his dark blue driveway into the avenue. As the carriage, anprosched the gate the ssu, across ght shoulder is the broad red uniform is covered with gold braid, and
which had been obscured, glided into ribbon of the Order of St, Michnel and St, clear space, and just ax the President's George, while on his breast are the dazzling carriage reached the gate shone forth in Grand Crosses of that Order and the Bath, fall splendour.
Tinmediately behind him comes Baron Fava, Cheer alter cheer rent the air as the the Italian ambassador, the German, Ruse sunlight danced on the glittering gold of sian, Mexican, Austrian and the other meimuniforms and polished steel of the escort. bers of the diplomatic corps. 'I'vo minutes When the well-known face of the Pre-Inter the doorkeeper made the announce-rident was recognised, handkerchief, flags ment, "The Supreme Court of the United and bats were waved, and the lurrals
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.