“Commodore Schley was the senior officer of our squadron off Santiago when the Spanish Squadron attempted to escape on the morning of July 3, 1898. He was in absolute command, and is entitled to the credit due to such commanding officer for the glorious victory which resulted in the total destruction of the Spanish ships. “GEORGE DEWEY, _Admiral, U. S. N., President_. “SAM. C. LEMLY, _Judge-Advocate-General, U. S. N., Judge-Advocate_. “Recommendation “In view of the length of time which has elapsed since the occurrence of the events of the Santiago campaign, the Court recommends no further proceedings be had in the premises. “GEORGE DEWEY, _Admiral, U. S. N., President_. “SAM C. LEMLY, _Judge-Advocate-General, U. S. N., Judge Advocate_.” Garret A. Hobart, the genial Vice President, died on November 21, 1899. With the approach of the election in 1900 the successful war President had no opposition in the Republican Convention and was renominated, with the Governor of New York, Theodore Roosevelt, as his reluctant team mate. The Convention endorsed the administration. Once more the Democratic Convention pinned its faith to William Jennings Bryan by nominating him for President, with Adlai Stevenson, Grover Cleveland’s Vice President, chosen for his former office. The free coinage of silver was presented as part of the platform, but the opposition to the expansion of United States territory was the policy emphasized. McKinley and Roosevelt received 292 electoral votes to the 155 cast for Bryan and Stevenson. Thus, after four years crowded with stirring events of national interest and vital importance, buffeted between public sentiment and private conviction, President McKinley, the triumphant war President, found himself again installed as the people’s choice. CHAPTER XI SECOND ADMINISTRATION OF WILLIAM MCKINLEY _March 4, 1901, to September 14, 1901_ The second inauguration of President McKinley was a wretched day, and sleet and snow beat upon him as he took the oath of office. On the way to the Capitol, Senator Mark Hanna rode by the President’s side. Theodore Roosevelt took the oath as Vice President in the Senate Chamber and made a brief address. Mrs. Roosevelt and the children were present, as was Mrs. McKinley, who was escorted and cared for by General Corbin. In the parade from the Capitol to the White House there was for the first time representation from an American dependency. This was a battalion of dark-skinned Porto Rican soldiers in Uncle Sam’s uniform. The President’s mother had passed away in December of the first year of his term, and the absence of her proud, happy face was noted with a surge of sympathy for her son, whose domestic life carried so much of anxiety. The procession duplicated the previous one in size and variety. The President reviewed this procession, from within a large plate-glass case put up to protect him from the inclement weather.