The Press., 1885-03-12
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, D. C., March


 Although presidential inauguration is a quadrennial event, the inauguration of democratic president was something which the younger portion of this genera ton had not seen. MT. Clevelsn nds journey on Wednesday, from the white house to the capital and back was memorable one, and the scenes on Pennsylvania Avenue baffled description. It was a perfect day for pageantry, cloudless, balmy, blue sky ed, and sunny, an unprecedented 4th of March. Hundreds of thousands of people witnessed the ceremonies of the day. They came from every corner of the United States, and on account of the great num- bers journeying to Washington, trains on all the roads were so delayed that several thousand people, to their great indigna- ton, arrived too late to view the proc S. sion. The city was hidden behind 8 mass of decorations, and the sidewalks beneath sea of human heads. People filled the windows, crowded upon the housetops, climbed trees and telegraph poles to get a view of the presidential party. Men shout ed until they were hoarse, women cheered and waved their handkerchiefs, and many an old democrat who had come all the way to Washington to feast his eyes on the sight, rushed out beyond the space assign
 
 berance of feeling. The soft spring-l like breeze stirred the many silken banners of the procession, and special aids, in bril- liant uniforms, galloped hither and thither, lending animation to the scene.
 In an open barouche drawn by four fine bay horses sat MT. Cleveland, President Arthur, and Senators Sherman and Ran som. MT Cleveland removed his silk hat occasionally, and bowed in response to the cheers of the throng as the carriage moved slowly along.
 Some interesting scenes were taking place at the capitol at this time. The forty-eighth congress was having it's final say, when the announcement was made to the senate that the house has passed the Grant retirement bill This was greeted with an outburst of applause, which was followed by another on receipt of Pres ident Arthur's message nominating Gen eral Grant to the newly created vacancy The floor and galleries of the senate we're now filled with distinguished spectators, and President Arthur entered, and moved down the aisle to the seat assigned him. lowing his acknowledgements to the vel come of the audience. Then there was hush of expectancy and ''the president elect of the United States was announced at the same instant that MT. Cleveland 8 stalwart form appeared. The audience gave round upon round of applause, and risiug to its feet, honored the man of the day with loud and prolonged cheering. MT. Cleveland wore his honors with dig nity and perfect composure, lowing pleas antly to the right and to the left. He was escorted by Senators Ransom and Sher- man to seat beside President Arthur. l>x fk,I, "A ,,oI,o l. tered and advanced to the desk of the president of the senate where he received the oath of office. Senator Edmunds de- gavel to MT. Hendricks and the latter at once called the senate to order Ia extra session. Prayer was offered by the chap lain, the new vice-president made short address, the new senators were sworn in, and the audience then proceeded to the main portico of the capitol to inaugurate the presdent-elect
 MT. Cleveland was clad in full suit of black, Prince Albert coat, high, old-fash- toned standing collar, and black tie. He delivered his address without manuscript. referring occasionally to small slip of pa per bearing the heads of his discourse. Chief Justice Waite then administered the oath of office, using we'll worn bible, given to MT. Cleveland by his mother when he left home young man. The chief justice then shook hands with the new president, as did also ex-President Arthur, the supreme court justices, cab met, and many others.
 The scene on Capitol hill during these ceremonies was brilliant and varied For blocks every street in that vicinity glisten- ed with bayonets and the bright uniforms of the troops, and the less brilliant but equally attractive uniforms of the civic or gauizations. Ex-President Arthur remark ed that it was the largest crowd he had ever seen. Returning to the white house MT. Cleveland received an ovation all along the line, and rode with uncovered head in acknowledgement The process sion was three hours long, and while re- viewing it from a stand in front of the white house, the president, with his hands folded behind him, remained standing un- til the entire line had passed
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