National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-02-10
THEINAUGURAL BALL
HOW MATTERS ARE PROGRESSING.
Preparations Being Made at the Museum Building
The Statue of America in Its Place
Trouble About the Names on
the Invitation Cards.

The National Museum building is being
rapidly put into shape for the inaugural ball. The
work of laying the floors is nearly completed. The
gas fixtures have been put in place, and the work
of erecting boxes in the apartments set apart fol
hat and cloak rooms is in progress. The colossal
| figure representing America, which IS nearly
finished stands its pedestal III the centre of the
rotunda. The arches. angles, pillars, and grand
proportions of the hall offer facilities for vast
variety of designs in decorations, and the gentle
men in charge promise 10 avail themselves OF these
opportunities to the fullest extent.
The main entrance to the building on the north
front will be the public entrance onthe night the
ball. The President, members of the diplomatic
Corps, and other dignitaries will enter by way OF
the private entrance at the northwest corner. The
President will then hold reception in the cor
ridor running west from the rotunda.
On the right and left of the public entrance two
large apartments or corridors, have been reserved
for hat and cloak rooms. About fourth of the
space on the fioorhaS been partitioned off, making
enclosures in which empty cases and collection
of stuffed snakes fishes, and other property in
tended for the museum have been stored and it is
understood that the guests at the ball viii not be
permitted to invade these sacred places.
THE FLOOR COMMITTEE
assembled in the Museum building at half past
four O'Clock yesterday afternoon and surveyed the
scene which is to witness their triumph as ball
managers. After inspecting the different parts of
the hall the committee was called to order in one
of the small rooms, Mr.. T. I. Roessle presiding in
the absence of Chairman Lockwood. Mr.. H. B.
Wilkins was chosen secretary. Director SOusSa,
of the Marine Band, who is 10 have charge of the
music, stated that it was very de ;rable to have
sounding board behind the band to heighten the
effect of the music. Mr.. Cluss, who was present,
stated that he would provide for this want.
Mr.. Stratton called up again the question of hay
ing the names of the hall committee printed on
the invitations to the ball. in addition to the names
of the executive committee. He exhibited cards
of invitation to the inaugural balls of 61 65, and
'73, showing that they bore the names of the floor
managers, besides many other names He thought
it very proper that the names of the floor commit
tee should appear. After some discussion it was
decided to appoint a committee OF five to lay the
question before the executive committee. MessrS.
Widdicombe, Cluss, Rock, Cronin, and Stratton
were appointed as the committee
TIE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
on inaugural ceremonies held their regular weekly
meeting last night at the rooms adjoining the Ma
tional Metropolitan Bank, Colonel D. P. Anger in
the chair.
Mr.. Stratton. from a visiting committee on the
part of the hail and promenade reception COM
mittee, stated that it was the sense of that COM
mittee that the names of the gentlemen comprising
it should be given place upon the cards of invita-
ton.
Colonel Corbin said that when the cards were
ordered the committee on hall and promenade re-
ception had not been constituted. The tickets
were ordered late, and even at that time the COM
mittee was being ccnsurcd for not getting them
out sooner.
Mr.. Whitaker moved that a separate ticket of
invitation be issued, to which the names of this
be added.
Mr.. Warner was opposed to going to an addi-
tional expense of 81 200 for invitations. Ifthe gen
tlemen desired such ticket. they had best go
down in their pockets and pay for it. 1t was prob
ably as much to his advantage as that of anybody
else 10 be advertised; still he did not believe in
putting any names on the ticket, and had opposed
It from the beginning.
Colonel Corbin said that probably he knew more
lbout the ticket business than anybody else. The
admission card was merely for entrance purposes,
put the other order was an invitation ticket. 1t
was too late TO change it, and it would appear
with the names of the executive committee
upon ii, that committee was first constituted. |
Since the order was given three of the men,
Oers of the committee had resigned and
others had been substituted in their stead |
they could not afford to lose the |
names changed, and, if this was the case, how
much time would be lost in having fifty names |
added. Mr.. Whitaker said that he had under |
TODD that there was ticket of invitation but as
here was one. he would withdraw his motion |
On motion of M. Willard, an appropriation was !
made for the badge committee to go forward and |
complete their work
Mr.. Johnson reported the following subscriptions |
from George ". Cochran, $50; A. H. Herr, $50
v. F. Mattingly. SIS: ". G. Brock, S1O A. s. Profit,
). and c. F E. Richardson, so.
The treasurer reported that he had received |
. 160.25, and paid out S56O25, leaving balance in
lis hands of 900.
Colonel Corbin reported that the returns of sales
# tickets yesterday amounted to about 81 600.
Mr.. Warner offered the following, which was
dopted:
Reso7red, That membership of this or any other |
committee docs not entitle any such member to
rec admission to the Inauguration ball.
Colonel Anger called attention to the question
# fireworks, but, without taking any action upon
he subject, the committee adjourned.
INAUGURATION ITEMS.
The Virginia Press Association will hold its an
lual meeting in Richmond on the I'd of March,
nd come in body to Washington to attend the in
uguration.
The G. \. r. Posts of Baltimore have accepted
II invitation TO attend the inaugural ceremonies,
nj VIII arrive mere on the morning of the 4th of
Iarch.
Major General J. N. schoficld has sent letter
Expressing regrets at the inability of himself and
taft to attend the Inauguration.
The sale of tickets for the ball more than doubled
esterday.
The Metropolitan Street Railroad Company has
ranged to lay walk from the car tracks at
inth and B streets to the main entrance of the
IuSeum building. The walk will be covered and
GIFTED with gas.
The Vincent Guard of Cory, Pa, Captain Isaac
Brown, numbering forty men, will arrive on the
] prOXimO, and be quartered in Pullman cars
Captain Rand's companE of Maryland Hussars,
lie cadets of the Pennsylvania State College, Cen
c County, and Company g, Ninth Pennsylvania
ational Guards, Captain John Dunn of Nanu-
Oke, Pa. have signfed their intention of partici-
ating in the inaugural parade.
THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE,
he Amateur Opera Company AT Odd
Hail To.Nscv,s