Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-03-12
SCENES IN THE SENATE.
THE PRESIDENTS GALLERY.

THE PRESIDENTS GALLERY.
A little before II o'clock the doors of the
Presidents gallery were opened, and the
people entitled 10 admission were escorted
Mrs. Hoyt, sisters of the President-elect.
Rev. w. A. Cleveland and wife, and their
two sons; MIR. Hastings, nephew of the
President-elect; Miss Hastings, Miss Nellie
Yoemans and Miss Annie Yoelnans, nieces
of the President-elect; Mr.. and Mrs. Bacon.
of Toledo, and Colonel and Mrs. Lamont
The blue tapestry seats of the Diplomatic
Gallery remained longest vacant but they,
too, were filled by quarter past IL.
QUORUM OF SENATORS
having arr.ved the business of the Senate
proceeded, with frequent and long inter-
rupiions, while awaiting the action of the
conferes on the appropriation bills.
Among early arrivals upon the floor were
Senators-elect Payne and Evdrts who were
warmly greeted by dozen or more acquain-
tances as they came in at the door OF the
hall. Senator Upton, of Nebraska: Sur
ner of President Cleveland; Commissioners
Eaton, Thoman and Gregory, of the Civil
Service Commission, arrived in their turn,
and were greeted by friends and acquaint-
ances, and conducted to their appointed
places in the rear of the Republican seats.
The only events of the early proceedings
which were not upon the programme were
the outbreaks of applause which greeted
the announcement of the passage of the
Grant Retirement bill and tie reception of
the Presidents message nominating Gener-
al Grant to the newly created vacancy. The
applause, which was hearty and prolonged,
was not suppressed by Mr.. Edmunds The
arrival of the diplomatic corps, fifty strong
clad i'll their unifo ms varying from the
silken robes and Mandarin caps of the Chi
nese to Gorgeous gOld-bedecked dresses of
the Europeans, occasoned a suspension of
the buzz of convers alton for moment.
They entered unannounced, and were es-
corted to tie seats in front and upon the
right of the chair.
just before the entry of the members of
the Supreme Court, arrayed in their ample
black silk gowns and preceded by their
Marshal, the annual act of turning back the
hands of the Senate clock was performed
by the veteran doorkeeDer, Captain Isaac
Bassett. The Supreme Court Justices were
placed upon the right in front of the chair.
PRESIDENT ARTHUR
was now announced and his coming was
greeted with warm clapping of hands. in
recognition of which he bowed gracefully
to the assemblage. A moment later and
the buzz of conversation was again sus-
pended in anticipation of the announce
ment of
THE PREsIDENT-ELECr
Of the United States. Mr.. Cleveland had
and halted within sight of the assemblage.
While his arrival was being announced APP
plause, by clapping of hands at first, and
then cheers, loud and prolonged, welcomed
him. Then stalwart voice in the gallery
arose above the din, demanding three
cheers for Grover Cleveland" This was
not held by the assemblage to be in good
taste, and NJ. Edmunds' proclamation
that order must be preserved, or the gall
lerieS will be cleared" was superfluity.
THE REPRESENTATION
was now escorted into the chamber, and.
without delay, but with the solemnity and
decorum BETTING the occasion, the oath was
administered to him by President pro tenn
pore EdmundS, who now turned to the
front and addressed the senate in a few
well chosen words of farewell as its presid-
ing officer, taking occasion, however, to saw
In view OF recent experience, that it might
be doubted whether congress could congrat-
uiate itself on being the best example of a
Legislative body conducting its business
with deliberation, care, and decorun. 1t
was the fault of large bodies that measures
OF the greatest Importance, requiring much
time for proper consideration, were brought
under discussion so late that it was not pos
sible to deal with them with intelligence.
and consequently they were enacted hastily
into laws. lie then in warm terms thank
ed the senate and its officers for their cour-
tesy and kindness, and retired from the
chair.
The chaplain here offered prayer of I'M
conscious length, at the close of which
.ce-PreSident Hendricks delivered few
opening remarks in voice which, though
low. was clear and audible. He said it was
some years since he was connected with the
senate, and he might not at first be so fa-
miliar with the rules as he should be, and
would have to lean upon the indulgence of
senators. He added: THE senate is now
" " nf a mr. 10, loff ION, .f
the president of the United State, which
t sec etary will read" The chief clerk
read the proclamation.
This ceremony over, the vice-president
called for the reading of the order of in
auguration ceremonies, and the entire as
sembly adjourned to the central portico to
witness the final ceremony that made Gro
Yer Cleveland president of the United
States.
THE FIREWORKS.
At s o'clock the display of fireworks be-
gan. They greatly surpassed in beauty and
grandeur anything ever seen or attempted
in this country. The greatest feature of
tennial at Philadelphia. The number of
pounds of material used to-day was just
double what was used on that occasion.
The display took place in front of the White
House, between that building and the
Washington Monument. One of the 'ex-
>
resenling the Capitol, with portraits of
G eveland and Hendricks, and the Goddess
of Liberty placing crown on each. .Anotl-
er large exhibition piece represented Mag
ara Falls from shore to snore, with Goat Is
land. This piece was 80 feet long and 65
feet high. The performance commenced
with a display of shellsand 5,000large rock
cts fired simultaneously.
THE BALL
was the GROWING event of the day. There
were accommodations for nearly 10000 peo-
pie The great ballroom has already been
described as the greatest ever had in this
country, but can better be appreciated now
that it is complete and the decorations in
place. The assertion that there has never
been such ballroom in this country seems
quite warranted by the facts. Certainly no
Inauguration ball ever held here compared
with this in the size of the building or the
magnifcence Of its appointments. The
floral decorations of the hall were magnifi.
cent and costly. Prominent among these
were seven massive designs, representing
the Cabinet offices.