Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-03-05
THE HEQUADRENNIAL BALL
The GREAT NATIONAL DANCE
The ke~ President Pnomeaades 10 the
Music OF the Marine Band a
Very Brilliant Event

NAsHISeHoS, March 4. y q. m.-By the
time the doors OF the new pension bGilding
were thrown open the wide ssIhaltam streets
for squares around presented al animated
scene. Carriages rushed in every direction
10 the entrances where the occupants would
enter the vast building. Judiciary
Square, upon the northern side of which the
new pension building Is located. was alive
with people Upon entering the building a
dazzling sight presented itself, Willie
throughout the immense ball room strains Of
the world-renowned Marine Band. under the
leadership of Prof. Sousa, caught the ear,
and added greatly 10 the enehantment Of the
scene. Inside the building all was a whirl of
excitement and gaiety- The appearance of
the ball room battles description. II IL so i'm
mense-ll6 Eby 2l6 feet-hghted by a
hundred colossal candles, IN Che form
of Siemens gas burners, with trail
ing streamers of national colors
sweeping from wave TO wave, with pillars,
posts and balconies covered with bunting,
with entrances To the scores of rooms on tie
first floor beautifully draped and arched with
rich and heavy damask, handsome curtains
gothered IN rich folds, with the walls entire
ly bld by bunting as a background for
shields and elegant silk has,s, and with eight
gigantic circular pillars, seven feet IN di-
ameter, which support the roof, rising up
ward one hundred feet, all TASTE
fully wrapped aud completely had
with drapery and evergreens. and with the
crowd promenading below, all combined
presented view picturesquey beautiful.
In the early hours of the promenade concert.
when the guests were comparatively few, the
Marine band played slow stately marches
and the vistas between the massive pillars
gave an impression of some vast cathedral,
but that only passing aspect which
quickly changed into the brightest anima-
ton. In the President reception room "a
chair decorated with flowers under a mag
niticent floral canopy had been prepared for
the President. The room was festooned
with smilax. while round the walls aud al the
northeast end of the main hall floral
designs of large size with beautiful
elaboration of detail were placed, typifying
the different executive departments of the
Government; or instance "A ship, the hull
composed of double violets, the masts and
sails of roses set In the back ground, while
marguerites represented the navy depart
ment, keys and a massive safe III flowers
represented the treasury, and a stamped
envelope of flowers addressed 10 Grover
Cleveland represented the pOstofiice. an
open law book with the motto ''aof jusifia"
the department of justice, and so on.
With regard TO the toilets, the greatest
variety was observable, many of the vast
crowds of strangers visiting the
city carried "Jeffersonisn simplicity
TO the extreme, and came D the Ball without
the slightest pretense at evening costume.
while on the other hand many toilets dis
played excelled in richness and beauty any
thing ever before seen in this city, where
magnificent dressing is so often carried 10
excess. At 1925 the band struck up Hail
TO the Chief" and few minutes after the
last note of that melancholy dirge had died
away President Cleveland, muffled in a heavy
brown overcoat, entered the building with
gratifed smile on his face. closely followed
by Secretary McColloch, and at once
proceeded to the reception room, where he WAS
afterwards joined 10y other of the Cabinet.
Ex-President Arthur, Secretary Frelin ghug-
sen, Secretary Teller and many other prom
inent Republican officials also put IN an ap-
pearance. About ii p. IN. Cleveland, follow
ed by Mr.. and Mrs. Manning, President
Hendricks, Col Lamont and wife, promen-
AIDED around the ball room, stopping occas-
ionally and chatting with friends. About
11:s0 p. IN. the President left the ball room
and repaired to his new home. Nice-Presi-
dent Hendricks remained a while longer.
The dancing then fairly began, and kept up
at intervals until a late hour.