Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-05
AT THE CAPITOL.
Impenetrable ThrOngs Surrounding the
Dome Canped Structure.

ImpenetrabIe ThrOngs Surrounding the
Dome Capped Structure.
WASHINGTON. March 4.-Before Q O'Clock
fully 3.0s0 people had congregated on tie
broad plaza 10 the east OF the capitol and on
the terrace 10 the west the approaches to the
building, both for carriages and pedestrians,
were black with strangers going 10 and from
the great structure. ON tie streets north of
the building military companies and societies
were forming 4nd preparing 10 march to
tile centre of the city Hundreds Of people
who had passed the night in Baltimore and
who had arrived on the early morning trains
lined the thOrOughfares. The members OF po-
lICal organizations who had found quarters
for the previous night In the smaller hotels m
the vicinity of the capitol stood gOSsiping ON
the subjects OF the dav. Their conspicuous
high hats and OyercOats OF light or dark ma
terial ami gauiy badges of red, blue purple
silk were ohjecLs Of curiosity for the unIni-
tiated stranger. An occasional rooster de-
sIgu oruamehted the head coverings. The
people on the east plaza stood Ia groups or
prOmeTaded the length of the capitol with
resident friends. Occasionally member oi
Congress. wearled from continued sitting.
str llleti with town or country constituents
and pointed out objects Of interest. Manv of
the strangers had been unable TO find
resting places during the night. and their
faces and clothes were covered with dust and
dirt. Many Of them carried a v1llse or car
pot sack IN hand, while few held their visit
ing clothes IN average band boxes. Talkative
ndiyidua's related their experiences OF past
inauguratlOns.
RIP VAN wINKLE.
An old white-haired man with a beard
as long as Rip Van Wrinkles, entertained
many with his account Of the burning
OF the capitol by the British IN 1914. He sald
that hc was % years of age and was from one
Of the first families Of Virginia. Lift did
/ think" he remarKed when l saw this build
INK burning that would see
Grover Cleveland inaugurated in 1885. On
the east steps at the House side of the capitol
800 or 4OO people had seated Themselves. y
few of the early birds had secured choice
positions at O'Clock aud had held them with
chairs which they had brought from home.
The western terrace was crowded with spec
tatOrs looking upon Pennsylvania avenue
along which the procession Was TO move. AT
this hour, = O'Clock, that thOrOughtare was
filled almost from curb 10 curb with moving
humanity. Policemen who stood at the en-
frances through which persons were TO he
admitted TO the capitol were vigorously
engaged IN moving from the doors
hundreds who cOngregated about them.
SQUEEZING IN SENATORS.
At the basement entrance to the east front
Of the senate wing both men and women were
using their argumentatlYe powers 10 influence
the officers. but without success. IhrOugh
this entrance the Senators gained admission.
s.Iet senator IN shouted a large-sILed Oil-
Ger present. as he gave dozen or more men
and WOmen a vigorous shove
senator Cameron, OF Wisconsin. was the
Darty 10 enter. lie was wedged through. and
succeeded in aiding half dozen ladies who
arcompanied him in gaining admittance.
II ct 8 Senator in," again shouted the Ohcer,
and senator COnger's slight form was squeezed
between two meH aimOsL as closely united as
the Siamese twins. 4 Ie~ ladles VINO accom-
panied the distinguished gentlemen were the
recipients Of DO greater laYoTs than we're the
Senators They were pusheu through anu
lifted from their feet until atteF they hal got
ten beyond the threshold. Their hats ana Don
nets were subjects for general repair
FORMING THE PROCESSION.
D. L. ,,s..,ock the procession began to form
~, the stFaets aEd avenues east OF the capltOl.
ON all sides were 10 be hearu stIalns % VI
martial music The tattoo OF s drHm corps
coming up one side OF the capitol m4nkieu
with the sound of the bugle and brass DahI 81 r oI
troous advancing on the opposite size. Inc
Tammany society from New L ork was VHS On
the first organizations on the grouhui a.
Tammany Sachem, aEtirel IN aDOIlSlnai
costume, entered the plaza ne was acCosteu
by 'Ughi ughi" and other characteristic eA-
pressiOns. ,,
by a single drummer boy or band OF ~
nieces. as the case might be, followed and
took the positions assigned 20 them.
sUNLTT SEA OF STEEL.
The sun shOne brilliantly on the uniforms OF
the troop, aEd llelr oayonets g,eamed IA t1e
sunshine ike q sea of FURNISHED steel. Al II
Ss.io.t Inc crowd had Increased TO 5000 or y
90. and crowded the plaza: Sen. 99neoek
and Ifeut Gen. sheridan arrived anu az tney
,sca1ded the steps 10 Ihe east front OF the
senate wing Ieafeniug cheer arose from the
crovvd. Twenty minutes later the fresldents
eisc,. With four horses fairly praneing.
entered the west Of the plaza. Prior TO It's
arrival the people stood en- masse over tne
80. .t.. 80 ,vitL shouts and clubs cleared a
,,sssa,ge-vav. The earriage began 10 inone
through the passage-way. preceded RS a MT arl1
sis., sais 6rf a. the vehicle proceeded the huf-
-st,s i.ereased hats were lifted and thIoMI
mn tbs air, handkerchief were waSed
above their heads by both ladies' anu ISSiidren
and elders were waved, the bands seemed 10