People Talked About [excerpt]

     No reader of the tragical event as it occurred on that black Friday afternoon at Buffalo, and the events of the anxious days following, can fail to have been touched and impressed with the implicit and affectionate trust imposed by the wounded President in his secretary, Mr. George B. Cortelyou. Next to his solicitude for Mrs. McKinley, the President’s thought in the moment of his peril and distress turned to Mr. Cortelyou, and the latter’s name was the first that sprang to the lips of the stricken man when he felt the need of instant help and protection. And so through the critical hours and days that afterward passed no other one stood quite so near the chief magistrate as his faithful and beloved secretary. It was Mr. Cortelyou who ordered and arranged for the first operation at the emergency hospital, who superintended the removal to the Milburn residence, who had charge of the public bulletins, who, in brief, managed everything, and all quietly, modestly, and yet with the firmness and energy of a master hand. No finer tribute could be paid to the secretary as a man and a friend than has thus been paid by President McKinley. For in times of stress and sudden danger men turn naturally and instinctively to those in whose loyalty and devotion they have the greatest trust.
     A solemn and impressive scene was that enacted in the home of Mr. Ansley Wilcox at Buffalo on the afternoon of Saturday, September 14th, when the oath of office was administered to President Theodore Roosevelt by Judge John R. Hazel, of the United States District Court. The ceremony took place a few minutes after three o’clock. Among those present were all the members of President McKinley’s Cabinet except Secretaries Hay and Gage, Secretary Cortelyou, Senator Depew, and a number of Mr. Roosevelt’s personal friends. Secretary Root announced that he had been requested in behalf of the Cabinet of the late President to ask Mr. Roosevelt that he should take the constitutional oath of office of President of the United States. To this the Vice-President replied, saying that he would take the oath at once in response to their request, and that it would be his aim “to continue absolutely unbroken the policy of President McKinley for the peace and prosperity of our beloved country.” Judge Hazel then stepped forward with an engrossed copy of the oath in his hand, and Mr. Roosevelt, raising his right hand, repeated after him the following words: “I Theodore Roosevelt, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Mr. Roosevelt then attached his signature to the oath, and the ceremony was over. A new administration then began its existence, a new chapter in American history was then opened. All those who took part in these momentous proceedings were deeply and visibly affected by the sad and tragic circumstances by which they were surrounded. When Secretary Root rose to speak his voice choked and he was unable to proceed for several moments, and Mr. Roosevelt had great difficulty in governing his voice and keeping down his emotion, while tears streamed down the eyes of all the others present. Judge Hazel, who administered the oath, was formerly a member of the Buffalo Bar and was appointed to his present position by President McKinley last February.