The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-03-11
WASHINGTON LETTER.

The unanimous verdict on the inau-
ration is that il was the most bril-.
at, enjoyable, aud generally success.
occasion OF the kind in the history
the government. More people
re here, and they enjoyed them
ives better than ever before. The
tivities proceeded without hitch
disappointment from beginning to
ID. But the chief sight was not
hat the people saw, but the people
lemselves. Never was there such a
otable gathering on this continent.
md in mere numbers, the crowds ex-
elled anything known outside of
ew exceptional gatherings, such as
he Philadelphia centennial. The
multitude which faced President
Cleveland to hear his views and be
witnesses to his covenant with the ma
tion, was perhaps the largest body of
citizens ever collected in one spot.
Experts differed widely as to the mum.
Der, but many judges of crowds esti-
mated it as high as one hundred
thousand, or even higher. Fully
quarter of million people fanked
the procession, and at night the same
vast crowd choked the broad acres of
the White Lot to see the fireworks.
The ball was popular, as we'll as ar
tistic triumph. Here again the peo-
pie crowded by thousands in an un-
precedented jam.
And scarcely speck of trouble of
any sort dimmed the universal joyous.
ness. There were no railroad acci.
dents, no platforms collapsed, no
quarrels, jealousies or misunderstand'
ing broke the harmony. In short, the
people aud the pageant lived up to
the weather.
"Cleveland's luck" stood him in
good stead at his Inauguration. The
day was all that could be desired, the
streets were in perfect condition, and
nothing was wanting to complete tC
the comfort of those who marched and
those who looked on. The weather
has evidently made up its mind tc
fall in step with the times and show
its fair face as used to be the case il
the days of "the fathers" Since the
time of Pierce, the weather .inaugura
tion day has been almost uniformly
execrable, but before that Presiden
the day was frequently very pleasant
One novel feature in the ceremon
les of inauguration day was letting
the public get peep for the first tim'
at an executive session Of the Senate
The House did not pass the Gran
bill ill after II O'clock. The Presi
dent was at the Capitol, aud prompt
ly sent an executive communication T.
the Senate naming Grant as the ION
person" whom be wished on the re
tired list as general. But it was no'
halfpast eleven, and it was manifestl
impractieable to clear the gailerie
and turn out the distinguished guest
who crowded the floor. Hence th
Senate, by unanimous consent, pre-
-ceeded to executive business with ope
doors. But for some reason those fire
and easy scenes which gossip picture
in executive sessions did not tax
place. Nobody smoked, no Senator
put their feet on the desks, no oL
told creamy stories. The public
now in doubt as to whether the hilar
ties Of executive sessions are myt
or whether they were only PARTIAL
initiated into their mysteries after al
The Forty. eighth Congress has
last expired. Nominally it was tv
years old, but its conscious and wax
fol days amounted in all to only %
An unprecedented volume of bus
ness was presented to it for atteHtio
but only small proportion was act,
upon. Among the few important bill
that escaped the common fate we
those establishing bureaus of laOc
navigation aud animal industry;
repeal the test oath of 1852; to /
duce the rate of postage to reno
certain burdens on navigation;
provide civil government for Ala