Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-02-12

cross these streets diagonally. They
point in almost every conceivable dlrec'
tion. There is no West Capitol street
Where that would open there are
continuous gardens, under the care oil the
government, for propogating plants ano
| trees. These are extensive, and Ioin
the grounds surrounding the Smithson'
ian Institute, which again connect with
those attached to the Presidents house
This tract OF land is never to be bull
upon, and Is called
"rhe Mall"
When the original plan for its improve,
ment is carried out-trees planted and
circuitous roads cut Though it-there
will be beautiful drive OF several miles
as well as shaded walks and flowing
fountains.
The broad thoroughiares are among
the principal attractions OF the National
Capital, and the finest possessed by any
. CITY in the world. A drive upon them,
especially OF an evening, when thronged
with handsome equipages, affords truly
enjoyable recreation.
Pennsylvania avenue is not only the
principal, but also one OF the two
longest streets in the city. tits, however,
twice interrupted in its continuity
by the Presidents house and Capitol.
Its width is 100 feet, and it is about 4!
miles in Angth, from Georgetown and
Rock creek 20 the AnacOsts, and is the
main line OF communication across the
citv. Along It's route are the Washing
ton Circle, the War and Treasury De-
partments and the Presidents house.
From Seventeenth to Fifteenth streets
the avenue presents particularly fine
aspect, passing between the north park
OF the Presidents grounds, in front oil
which is q sidewalk 3i3 feet wide, and
LAFAYETTE Square. From Fifteenth
stree: west to the Capitol it trayerSes the
entire length OF the
Finest Business QcGrter
and the fashionable drive. l. thence
winds ND and around the hill surround
Ing the Capitol, and continues to its ter
minus on the banks Of the Anacostia
As you traverse this eastern portion OF
il and look back the vista is terminated
by the cOumned eastern portico and
cloud-seated dome OF the Capitol. Uu-
der the auspices Of President Jefferson,
Pennsylvania avenue was planted with
Lombartly poplars, one row on each
side and two in the middle, to initiate
the beautiful walk and drive in Berlin,
known as Unter den Linden. The pop
lars, however, did not flourish, and were
removed when the avenue was graded
ana paved in 1882. My friend Howard
Carroll, Journalist of fame in newspa-
per circles, calls this avenue the grand
est promenade in the country.
He says that eighty and odd years
ago, shortly after the seat OF the United
States Government was removed from
Philadelphia to Washington, a thorough
fare was cut through the alder bushes
from the White House to Capitol Hill.
It was so cut for the purpose OF accom-
modating the procession incident TO thJ
laying OF the corner stone Of the new leg
islative hall. The street after time
was provided on the north side with a
walk made of clippings from stones en-
ployed in the erection of the new build.
ing. Over this thoroughiare, in the
full paraphernalia OF his Masonic dig
nifty, with the other great men OF the
time, passed George Washington, to aid
in the laying Of the first stone OF the Ma
tion's State house. This was the com.
mencement of what is now the Pennsyl.
vania avenue OF Washington-the COM
mencement OF street the most histori-
cal in this country, and in some respects
the most historical in the world. Over
PENNSYLVANIA avenue has passed to his
Inauguration nearly every President Of
the United States. Washington, the
first, it is almost needless 10 state, was
not inaugurated here. He took the oath
OF office on the 30th of April, 1889, in the
New York city hall, then called the Fed
eral Building, and situated where the
custom house now is.
Jefferson's Ride,
There is current here and elsewhere a
story to the effec; Hat he rode TO the
Capitol unattended on a broken-down
old horse, took the Noath OF office, and
then returned, still unattended, in the
same fashion. This is TO some extent
an exaggeration, though in the main
true. The fact is that the President
elect mounted an exceedingly substan-
tial steed in front OF his lodging house
in the upper part Of the city, and, with
one or two attendants, personal friends,
(but without any military or other es-
cort) rode to Capitol Hill, crossing at one
place what is now Pennsylvania avenue.
Arriving at the Capitol he dismounted,
and with his own hands tied the horse TO
the fence which surrounded the Capt.
tol inclosurc. Then, dressed in the
plainest OF homespun clothes, he en-
tered the cramped legislative hall, pro.
ceeded to the Senate chamber, and with
the somewhat ridiculous stateliness Of
the olden time, accepted the chair prof.
fered to him with grand flourish by
the graceful President OF the Senate,
Aaron Burr. The Chief Justice was al.
ready seated upon his left hand, aud
the Senators arose and salutrd him as
he took his seat. 1t is a.somewhat Gu
rious fact that John Adams, his prede-
csssor, refused 10 be present at his it,
augura,ioa. .....
Madison and Jact son.
When it became James Madison's turn
t. be inaugurated President OF the
United States, il was related that he
Was escorted over the dirt roadway OF
PENNSYLVANIA avenue bv various COM
panies OF military, aud lat The ;naug l.
ration ceremonies were Witnessed by
not less than ten thousand persons.
Progressing still further, it is a mItter of
history that when Andrsg Jackson was
inau2ura,ed for the first time in 1929,
thousands of lersons, military compan'
les and organizations OF various kinds,
marched down the historic avenue to
the Capitol. 49,, -,
"The inaugural procession which will
psss over the Avenne on the ith oil next
month to celebrate the advent info office
OF the next Republican President,
James A Garfield, promises TO be the
grandest of the kind yet known. The
old Avenue is at many places to be dec
GRATED with arches; flags and banners
will wave across il from many houses,
and military organizations from all parts
of the country will take part IN the par
sde. Preparation is being made for the
reception OF hundreds OF thousands oil
=.