The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1885-03-12
TIE INAUGURAL BAIL.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., March 5.-By tho
time the doors of the new Pension Build =
ing were thrown open, the wide asph altum
streets for squares around presented an
animated scene Carriages rushed in
from every direction to the entrance where
their occupants would enter the vast build
ing. Judiciary Square, upon the northern
side of which the new Pension Building Is
heated, was alive with people.
Upon entering the building a dazzling
sight presented itself while throu ghout
the immense ballroom the strains of the
world renowned Marine Band, under the
leadership of Prof. Saussa, caught the ear
and added greatly to the enchantment of
the scene.
Once inside the building, all was a whirl
of excitement and gaiety. The appear
ance of the ballroom bafn es description.
1t is so oimmense-116x376 feet; and lighted
by hundred colossal candles, otherwise
Siemen gas burners, with trailing steamers
of National colors sweeping from nave to
nave; with pillars and posts and balconies
covered with bunting; with entrances to
floor beautifully draped and arched
with rich and heavy damask,
and handsome curtains gathered in rich
folds; with the walls entirely hid by
bunting as a background for shields and
elegant silk flags, and with the bright gil
gantic circular pillars, seven feet IN oil .
ameter, which support the roof, rising
| upwards a hundred feet, all tastefully
/ wrapped and completely hid with drapery
| and evergreens; and with the crowd
| promenading below, all combined, pre-
| sented to view picture most beautiful
| indeed.
In the early hours of the promenade
| concert, when the gu ests were compara-
| lively few and the Marine Band played
| slow and stately marches, the vistas be-
| tween the massive pillars gave the impress
| sion of some vast cathedral But that
| was only passing aspect, which quickly
| changed into one of the brightest anlma-
| tion.
| In the Presidents reception room a chair
/ decorated with flowers under magnih-
| cent floral canopy had been prepared for
| the President, and the whole room was
! festooned with smilax, whilst round the
! walls and at the north end of the main
! hall floral designs of large size and beautt-
/ full elaboration of detail were placed, typi-
! flying the different executive departments
! of the Government. For instance, ship,
| the hull composed of doubl9 vlolets,
4 the masts and sails of roses set In a back
/ ground of marqusttes, represented the
/ Navy Department Keys and a massive
| safe all in flowers represented the Treas
! ury. A stamped envelope of flowers ad-
! dressed the Post Office. An open law book
! with the motto "Fiat Justitia," the Depart
| ment of Justice, and so on.
With regard to toilets the greatest va
riety was observable. Many of the vast
| crowds of strangers visiting the city car
! ried "Jeffersonian simplicity" to an ex-
treme, and came to the ball without the
| slightest pretense at evening costumes,
| while on the other hand many of the
| toilets displayed excelled n richness and
| beauty anything ever before seen in this
+ city, where magnificent dressing is often
| carried to excess.
/ At tw enty-five minutes after ten O'Clock
| the band struck up "Hail to the Chief, "
| and few minutes after the last notes died
away President Cleveland, muffied in q
| heavy brown overcoat, entered the build
/ ing with a gratfied smile on his face, close
| ly followed by Secretary McCullOch, and
| at once proceeded to the reception room,
! where he was afterward joined by the
other members of the Cabinet.
Ex-President Arthur, Secretary Free
Iinghuysen, Secretary Teller and many
other prominent Republican officials also
| put in an appearance soon after. About
/ eleven O'Clock President Cleveland, fol =
/ lowed by Mr.. and Mrs Manning, Vice.
| President Hendricks and Colonel Lamonte
/ and wife, promeuaded around the ball
room, stopping occasionally and chatting
with friends.
| About II 80 O'Clock the President left
| the ball room and repaired to his new
| home Vice. President Hendricks re-
| mained a while longer. Dancing then
/ fairly hogan, and was kept up at intervals
! until a late hour.