The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1885-03-06
WASHINGTON LETTER.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 1885.
President-elect Cleveland's Cabinet, the
dedication of the Washington Monument,
which took place to-day, and the near ap-
preaching inauguration are the prevailing
topics here As the date of the dedicatory
ceremonies of the Monument drew near,
interest entered around the imposing shaft
erected to the memory of the Father of his
Country. But little was done in prepara-
tion for the occasion at the Monument
itself. The stand from which the speeches
were delivered, and which was blown down
few days since was rebuilt. The little
shops around the base of the monument
were removed, electric lights were placed
inside the structure, the elevator was pro-
vided with seats, and some other temporary
touches were added for the convenience of
the public. The city awoke this morning
in futter of excitement over the event.
Many visitors had come to participate in
the celebration. Citizens, men, women,
nurses and children turned out upon the
streets to see the procession march from the
Monument to the Capitol. 1t was depart
ment holiday, and thousands of department
clerks swelled the throngs on the sidewalks.
The procession was the only part of the
dedication with the exception of the pyro-
tecbnic display, that the general public
was permitted to enjoy. The oratory
prayers, some special music, and other for
malities were reserved for the Hall Of Rep
resentatives, and were necessarily exclu-
sive. Congress, the Supreme Court, the
Diplomatic Corps, and other specially in
vited guest moncpolized the floor of the
House, while the galleries were given up to
the sisters and the cousins and the aunts of
members of Congress, and to their specially
invited friends. Still, the people did not
care much for that They could read the
oratory and prayers next day, amid COM
Portable surroundings, and the procession
was the most attractive part of it all. The
nodding plumes and brilliant uniforms of
the military, the bright regaiia of civic or
ganizations moving about preparatory to
forming in line, floating streamers and the
tumult of brass bands in every direction
presented a striking scene.
About fifteen hundred persons had tickets
to the grand stand at the Monument to hear
the speeches there. The stand was decora-
ted with flags, banners and b"nting which
tapped noisily i'll the crisp wintry air. The
pageant was marshalled by Gen. Sheridan,
and during its march from the Monument to
the Capitol, battery of artillery near by,
simultaneously with batteries stationed at
Fort Myer and the Navy Yard, fired
salute of one hundred minute guns.
The President, Justices of the Supreme
Court, Senators and Representatives rode
to the Capitol in carriages of uniform pat
tern and decorations, and all the aids
representing states and territories, were fur
nished with horses. About five hundred
members of the Presidents mounted guard
were in line, and the Grand Army of the
Republic was also largely represented. But
the leading feature of the parade was the
part taken by the order of Freemasons,
notwithstanding the recent petition to Con-
gress, protesting against any Masonic OBJ
servance at the dedication, on the ground
that Washington was not in sympathy with
the order during his latter years. As early
as last Thursday the Masons began to ar
rive in the city i'll large numbers. The
grand lodges of the various states were
represented, in addition to which the grand
chapels and grand encampmsnts of the
Knight Templars were in attendance.
These bodies with their rich regalia added
greatly to the appearance of the procession.
Throughout the day COLLATION. was served
to which all visiting masons were invited.
At night banquet was given to the broth
erhood at which the most distinguished
masons in the United States were present,
including a number of Senators and Repre-
sentatives, who have held high positions i'll
Masonry. Only nine members are now liv-
ing, who were members of the Senate in
lS4s when that body attended the laying OF
the corner stone of the Washington Monu
ment. One of them, ex-vice President
Hamlin, came to see it dedicated. The
military arrangements of the parade were
complete and effective, and
prove Gen. Sheridan's competency to mar
shall forces for memorial purposes as well
those for sterner work.