The little bustle of people leaving the galleries while this
latter was proceeding, showed that the great moment had come--and it was
time to inaugurate the new President.
The President always takes the oath of office on the porch of the
Capitol--in full view of the people--and so, the work in the Senate being
finished, the two Presidents walked side by side out to the eastern front
of the building.
As soon as the Judges, Senators, and Congressmen had taken their places on
the stand provided for them, Chief Justice Fuller came forward to the
little enclosure which had been railed off and fitted with two great
leathern arm-chairs for Major McKinley and Mr. Cleveland.
He told Mr. McKinley that it was time to take his oath of office: and
standing bareheaded, his hand resting on the Bible, William McKinley swore
to be true and faithful to the great trust he was receiving from the
people.
His oath being taken, he kissed the Bible, and the ceremony was complete.
He is the twenty-fifth President of the United States of America.
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