Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1885-03-06
Washington Letter.
From our Regular Correspondent.


For the last two days Washington
has been "n .itte. The streets have
been filled with music and uniformed
professions. Every train has brought
civic and military organizations
which, upon arriving, have formed
in line, and, headed by Il brass band,
or drum and fife corps, marched To
their assigned quarters. The occa-
sion was the dedication of the fin
isLed Washington monument. \
seated platform was erected about
the base of The cloud piercing struc-
iure, and upon this was assembled
the President, his Cabinet, Justices
of the Supreme Court, the diplomatic
corps, Senators, members and dis
tingG:siith invited guests. Til, we'll
arranged dc licn'ury c'rs monies were
=, r:orr,d Tie hnuu'neut was
iotmt Y ,.ei!vtred by II venerable
ch;.l'man. ". W. Cnicu.au, and ac-
cepied Ivy the President Of the
United Safes in fifth 8 words. The
procession iron, the base Of the mon
umcnt TO lie Capitol was marshalled
by General Sheridan, who had for
his aids mounted men, one from each
of the States and Territories. This
city, famous fer its pageants, has sell
dom seen L more imposing parade.
Bands of music were interspersed at
intervals in the line Of march and the
procession was composed of various
civic and military organizations, also
of secret orders, among which the
Masonic fraternity was most conspic-
uous. All these Godies with their
bright uniforms, floating banners
and martial bearing, marching on
the wide foor-like stletch OF Penn
sylvauil avenue, from the Treasury
TO the Capitol, made spec cle that
will not soon be forgotten by those
who beheld it. During The progress
of the march to the Capitol batteries.
of artillery stationed at the Monu-
ment, Arlington Heights, and The
Navy Yard sent forth peals of thun-
der.
The ceremonies at the Capitol,
where Col John W. Daniels was the
orator of the occasion, were very ex-
elusive; only members of Congress,
their families, hi III Government Off
Gals and distinguished invited
guests were present. The hall Of
the House of Representatives, is not
large enough to accommodate mole
than about $500. Among the OBJ
served of observers were the thirteen
descendants of the family OF Wash
inston, who were of the invited
guests on the floor OF the House.
1t was noted as n curious fac; that
their number corresponded with the
number of the thirteen original
States
The display of fireworks in the
Monument grounds, on the night of
the dedication, was very elaborate
and was Witnessed by not less than
seventy thousand persons. There
we've bomb-shel!s, bouquets Of rock.
cts, meteoric balloons with fireworks
attached, batteries, fiery fountains,
ETC., etc. The set pieces inclu led a
dolphin fountain, composed of two
immense dolphins supporting basin
in diamond lance-work from which
arose life.size figure pouring from
an urn stleam of silver fire and
spray. There was also represen-
tation of niagara Falls, seventy feet
in length and fifty feet high, and a
representation of the Goddess Of
Liberty surrounded by mechanical
emblems. The most admired repie-
sentation of the pyIotechnic display
was the Temple of Libery, the cen
ter piece Of which represented
Washington on horseback, the Amer
lean eagle above him, Columbus and
the Goddess of Liberty on each side
of him, all surrounded by revolving
globes and vases of flowers.
Now that the Monument has been
dedicated, all interest centeIs in the
other event, only ten days distant.
Arrangements arc completed to en-
sure the ceremonial and spectacular
effect of the Inauguration. Penn
sylvania avenue is lined on each side
at intervals with immense seated
platforms from which perfect view
of the procession can be secured.
The price charged will be ono dollar
per seat. The Pension building, in
which the ball is to DO held has at
length been rooted. Hundreds OF
decorators are at work upon it now,
and there Is no doubt that IT will be
fully ready by the LIST of March. 1t
is truly grand enclosure aud will
be used in the future for conven-
tons, inaugural celebrations, state
ceremonies, etc. 1t will easily nc
commodate twelve thousand persons,
and while it is absolutely fire proof,
its heating and ventilating arrange