National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-02-04
INAUGURATION RATIoNS.
Some of the Objections Urged Again
the Proposed Cracizer-and-CIaeeseD DIei

Some of the Objections Urged Against
the Proposed d-Cheese Diet.
The rather simple menu decided upon for the
supper at the Inauguration ball has been the sub
iect of much discussion among those who recall
the elaborate preparations for satisfying the inner
man made at the first and second inaugurations
of General Grant
The uncertainty regarding the policy of the COM
ing administration TO the character and strength
of liquids to be served at administration dinners
is apparent in the diplomacy and caution with
which the committee has discharged its duties
Having sampled all the liquids submitted for the
inspection of the committee By competing caterers
and being greatly perplexed by the clouded un-
certainty mentioned above, the committee, in
moment ofhappy inspiration, thought of lemonade.
Not even the most scrupulously good member of
the church, nor the most Puritancal Puritan could
offer objections to the flowing bowl of lemonade
which will cheer but not inebriate the merry
dancers in the Museum building. Moreover,
lemonade is recognized in many ways asa natural
drink. From earliest infancy the young American
learns at Sunday-school picnics, birthday parties
and other proper gatherings to regard lemonade as
nectar sweet as that quaffed by the gods of fable
and every native-born infant unless he be greatly
neglected, learns almost with his first awaking
an appreciation of what is good in this world,
the exact proportions of lemon 10 sugar, and of
wafer 10 leflCil anu necessary MAKE good
lemonade. To such training, indeed, is attributed
the fact that American baTkeepers are the best in
the world. Under the circumstances it was
happy stroke of genius in the committee to select
lemonade as the beverage with which the merry
TeTelers at the Inauguration ball-a festival ma
tonal in its character-will drink the health of the
new President. Lemonade is regarded as anti
bilious in its character and doubtless the thirsty
crowds, asthey press around the bealthgying foun-
tain, will return thanks to the thoughtful commit
teemen who provided on the spot agreeable
antedote to counteract any unpleasant results
from an over indulgence in the rich cheese which
it is announced will be served with the crackers.
in the preparation of the bill of fare-outside of
the fluid parts-the committee has also shown
genius of uncommon order. 1t is urged by some
obstructonsts that the light bill of fare adopted is
open TO fully as many objections as grand banquet
garnished with wines would be. The committee
however, has locked at the question in all its
phases, and mapped out the campaign with mill
tary exactness The mathematician employed by
the committee has estimated that five hundred
persons can be fed on crackers and cheese, sand
wiches, ct cetera, every fifteen minutes. In other
words, one man can be fed every two seconds. The
figures are astounding, but freeluneh men are of
the opinion that the time allowed is sufficient for
the average American to bolt sandwich and
swallow glass oflemonade. Whether this result
can be obtained without the aid of machinery. re-
mains to be seen. In the words of distinguished
caterer, it may be that the committee will have to
fire the sandwiches and hard-boiled eggs into the
crowd with a ffteeninch gun. To prevent the
rush for the lunch-counter, which is always dis
agreeable feature of large gatherings OF the kind
it is proposed that the sandwiches be distributed
among the guests by patent sandwieh-sprinkler,
which can be drawn up and down through the
hall, showering sandwiches along its path.
A veteran freelunch man stated to REPUBII-
CAN reporter that barrel of -four will make $50
loayes Of bread, or enough TO supply the top and
bottom strata for one thousand sandwiches of the
approved orphan-asylum pattern, which will cost
about one cent. The ham can be supplied for
about three cents and a thin coat of mustard for
almost nothing. The cost of the administration
lemonade will, of course, depend upon the degree
of diluton to which it is subjected 1t is estimated
that for each ration the gross outlay will be in the
of nine cents The calculations sUg-
gested by these few facts are infinite The Spartan
of the fare it is argued is in strict keep
ing with our republican institutions, and the
sweethearts and wives who attend the ball will
learn from national authority valuable lesson in
household economy. One of the effects also, will
be 10 popularize crackers and cheese, and render
private entertainments less expensive, as no citi
zen will be expected to lavish upon his guests
more costly viands than those served at grand
national entertainment