I was watching this film from the Moving Images nook at the Internet Archive: link, I downloaded the 256 kb MP4 version (non-Stooge-fans may fast forward to about 4:00 through 4:30 or so for what I refer to) and I was curious as to the slurring of the swearing-in, which causes confusion. Is this gag based in fact? Was slurring the oath as such once done to a great degree?