Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-02-23

The Preparations for the Ceremonies on
the Fourth of March-A Wonderful
Ball Room and an Immense Process.
sion-AccommOdatiO for Visitors,
&c.

sion-AccommOdati for Visitors,
&c.
The eight days which now intervene before
the 4th of March will be full of busy prepara-
tion to complete the arrangements for the pa
geant and ceremony Of that occasion, and to
prepare for the accommodation of the thous-
ands that will come TO the capital city. The
streets are already beginning to show evidences
OF the preparation for the coming event, in the
bunting and flags which are displayed from the
buildings, and the long stretches of wooden
stands with their tiers of seats rising one above
the other, which have been erected in the pub
lie reservations along the line of murch. The
arrangements which have been made to make
the Inauguration not only an event of interest,
but worthy of the occasion, are under the direc-
Ton OF efficient committees of citizens, and the
expectation is that the briliancy and dignity OF
former tnaugurations will be equalled on the
present occasion, if not exceeded. The process
sion which will escort the new President from
the, White House to the Capitol and return is
perhaps the main feature of the inaugural feS-
tlvltles, and will probably bring in line from
twenty to twenty-five thousand men. There
will be 1000 troops from Pennsylvania alone,
besides a large representation of the regular
troops and military organizations from all parts
of the country: There will be between six and
seven thousand men in the civic organizations.
In addition to this parade, which will be the
ieature OF the day, there will be fireworks and a
ball at night.
THE EXPENSES.
The estimated amount of money which will
be expended in the preparations is S35, 900,
ana this expenditure is assumed by the citizens
OF the District. The subscriptions, which are
purely voluntary, and in most instances from
persons who are not interested except in a gen.
eral way In the reputation of the city, amount
now to over $4,000. 1t is expected that the
meet the expenses in part If not in whole. The
pail, While source of revenue If well patron
1zed, is also a source of great expense. The cost
of fitting up the new Pension building and de-
ballroom Vpr =
The transformation from the rough brick and
mortar of the roofess unfinished building to
room Is very great, but money will accomplish
wonders, and the inaugural ball room as
1t a will ,alplpe appear on the night of March an
With the exception of the four brick walls,
Which enclose the ball room, everything will Be
provided by the committee, including the
flooring and the windows. The decoration of
the room, the contract for which has been given
70 leading New York decorator, WILL it is said,
be the finest ever seen in this country. and no
expense has been spared to make every detail
complete. The supper is to be cooked in New
York and brought to this city on special
train.
THE PREPARATIONS WELL ADVANCED.
The arrangements do not stop with the inau-
raj procession and the ball. Tire committee has
arranged for brilliant and expensive display
OF fireworks, and for the decoration and iilumi-
nation of the streets. AS the day draws near,
1t Is found that everything connected with the
arrangements is in an advanced state of prepa-
ton. and there Is no confusion or hurry. The
various committees have done their work we'll,
and 1t seems now that all that remains to in
sure success is to have good weather. The indi-
cations are that besides the large number who
VIII come here to take part in the parade there
VIII be great thrOngs of visitors from all parts
of the country, and for the accommodation OF
these visitors the committee on public comfort
has made ample preparations 4 list of rooms
and halls which could be made available have
been Kept, and applications have been provided
for at once. 1t Is singular fact that previous
occasions of this kind, when fifty and sixty
thousand people have come pouring into the
city, that no advantage of the crowd has been
taken TO make eXtortfOnate demands and to
exact double prices. There is no city that bears
such fine reputation for hospitality and hon
est dealing as this, and it is this fact perhaps,
as much as any thing else that brings such
large crowds here. The visitors to this city have
never gone away complaining of being robbed,
on this occasion. There will be no advance OF
prices. either at the large hotels or by private
parties, and there will be accommodations for
ALL
THE BALL ROOM.
The interior OF the Pension building is begin
ming to look as if ball would be held there
The loose boards and scaffoIding that presented
a confused mass in the hall have been removed
necessary, now that the roof is on some idea
can be obtained of the great extent Of the ball
room. To-day the workmen are leveling the
earth f1oor in the center. and at each end the
wooden floor is being laid. The decorators are
at work stretching the white cotton over the
walls, thus making background for the decor
atIOnS. Immense ladders rest against the pill
lars and the WorkInen are preparing to begin
the decoration. The large Siemen burners in
are in place, and will be used for night work
Although the doors at the east and west en-
frances are not in place, and the consequence is
the cold air pours in, yet the amount of heat
thrown Off from the radiators is SO great as to
make itself felt in the hall. There seems to be
no doubt about the heating apparatus being
Suihcaent for the purpose.
THE CIVIC COMMITTEE.
The civic committee on the Inauguration GER
emonies Saturday night distributed the COIN
mittee badges to be worn, and the chairman
stated that on Friday he would be able to say
something definite about the parade. After the
adjournment Of the committee, the sub-com-
mitttee on reception met and it was agreed
that the chairman and secretary of the full
local clubs meet tomorrow afternoon to confer
on the subject of their appointments.
PLENTY OF ROOM FOR ALL.
The committee on public comfort report that
they have accommodations for thirty or forty
thousand people in addition to the large num-
ber that they have already provided with ac-
cOmmOdatiOnS. The members of the commit
tee hope that the impression will not get out
Is not the case and they say that they will be
able to provide for everybody that comes.
INAUGURATION NOTES.
The sixty-ninth Regiment of New York have
accepted the escort OF the Emmett Guard on the
occasion Of their visit to this city, March 4.
Fritz Hirschny, quartermaster of the Rocham-
beau GrenadierS of New York, is in the city,
arranging for the participation of that command
in the inaugural ceremonies. The command
will number 15O men in line, all wearing hand
some new uniforms On the afternoon of the
Sd the Grenadiers will give military concert
and reception at Albaugh's Opera House. While
here they will tender q serenade to the Tam
many society.
So far the civic committee have on their list
organizations numbering 1875 men and So
musicians. Most Of these organizations will
arrive here on the afternoon of March Sd.
The Veteran Firemen'S association of New
ton.
Gen. Ordway, the chief of staff for the inau.
gural parade, will make his headquarters with
the inaugural committee on F street, and will
Gen. Slocum, the chiefmarshal, has determined
upon the grand divisions of the procession, and
the position of the organizations will not . be
made known until just before the 4th inst.
To BE RETIRED.-The President has approved
the findings of the board that examined Lieut.
John G. SOley, Of the navy, for retirement, and
he viii be placed on the retired list.
Political Notes.
THE ILLINOIS AND OREGON SENAToRsHIPs ETC.
Since the Oregon legislature has adjourned
without electing United States Senator it is
probable that the governor Of the state will I'LL
the vacancy in the Senate. A hot controversy
is going on as to his authority In such q case.
The democrats contend that under the cOnsti-
tuition he has no right 70 make an appointment
except in case of q vacancy occurring during
the recess of the legislature. The republicans
take the ground, however, that the governor
has the right to appoint when the legislature
likely follow his party, and the Senate will con-
firm his action by admitting his appOfntee.