The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-03-06
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Mar. 6, 1885

w ASHlNtTcN, MAI. v, 1900.
The streets of Washington are
crowded with visitors who have come
to the Inauguration. and who improve
their time while waiting for that event,
by visiting the museums, art galleries,
Departments, and other places of
interest that this city, more than any
other, affords. Old men may be seen
among them, those who have not been
in Washington since the inaugural GER
emonies of the last Democratic Pres
ident, and who look with admiration at
the improvements that have taken
place since then, and at the extensive
preparations that are going on. The
streets, the hotels, the shops, and the
faces have a holiday appearance, and
OF course, the festivities on the fourth
of March are the all absorbing topic
The President-elect will arrive to-
morrow night, and will he escorted to
the Arlington hotel by an appointed
committee. His first glimpse of his
future home on the morning of the in-
auguration will be pleasant, for, from
the windows of the Arlington, beyond
trees, fountains. and Lafayette park,
an excellent view OF the White House
can be obtained AT about ten o'clock,
Mr.. Cleveland will proceed to the Ex-
ecutlve mansion, accompanied by n
committee of Senators where he will
be introduced to President, and they
will so together, in an open carriage,
in the midst of a grand civic and mill
tary procession, to the Capitol.
A broad stand has been erected on
the Eastern front of the Capitol, and
there the President elect will take his
oath of Office, and the President will
deliver his inaugural address. Only
few hundreds will be able to hear
his voice, but tens of thousands can see
for the first time Democratic Presi-
dent. After the ceremonies, President
Cleveland and ex-President Arthur
will quickly proceed to the White
House, and after lunching, will take
their places on a covered stand that
has been erected in. the grounds of the
Presidential mansion, and review the
procession. The latter will be five
miles in length and embrace about
twenty-five thousand. 1t will approach
the Presidential stand from different
routes Its line of march will include
portions of Pennsylvania avenue, Twen
ty-second street; Connecticut, Rhode
Island aud Massachusetts avenues. and
K street. During the progress of the
procession, Pennsylvania avenue will
be kept entirely clear from curb to
curb, both from vehicles and people,
and the police have orders to arrest
any one iDcroaching upon the street.
This will prevent crowding the line of
march and will add greatly to the eff
feet of the spectacle.
If it is pleasant day, the pageant
will be grand. The bright uniforms of
the soldiers, the martial music, the
thronging crowds, the gay draperies of
bunting, red, white and blue, and the
numerous decorations will make the
panorama one long to be remembered.
The ball room is at last in readiness
for its many distinguished guests. At
least ten thousand are expected to at
tend, and under the dazzling electric
lights the scene will be truly brilliant.
The walls are draped with velvet bor-
dered with gold, elegant silk banners,
and patriotic designs. Huge plate
glass mirrors are placed here and there,
and flowers will be everywhere. A
mammoth floral chair will be placed at
one end of the hall for the President,
and superbly finished room has been
prepared for his temporary use. The
ventilation, heating and lighting capa-
biities Of the ball room have been tes-
ted, and found nearly perfect. No
matter how many persons attend, the
hall will not be crowded. The gallery
alone can seat three thousand persons,
and five thousand can easily waltz at
once in the space allotted for dancing.
and there will be abundant room for
promenaders. 1t is estimated that six
hundred persons can be served at the
same time in the supper rooms. A fire
company will be kept constantly on
duty in the building.
There is some talk of opening the
ball room on the fifth of March for
small fee, so that those who felt unable
to pay five or ten dollars for admission
to the regular bill, might at least be
gratified with site of the decorations,
aud wander around in the "banquet
hall deserted"