Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-03-06


contained the -president-elcct, with SEN
ator Hawley on his left. As the carriages
drove out of the gates and entered the line,
their occupants were greeted with
the widest enthusiasm, men shouting,
women screaming and waving handkerchiefs.
and all seemed carried away with the excite
ment of the moment. The president-elect
and vice-president-e came in for the
principal share of enthusiasm, and each of
them raised their hats and bowed right and
left to the crowd which lined both sides of
the carriage way. The first division of the
procession escorting the president
elect, then began their march
to the capitol. The scenes on
Pennsylvania avenue almost battle dcscrip-
ton. A great surging mass hid the side
walks, above the stately buildings were
covered with cloths of gorgeous colors ar
ranged in patriotic devices, the soft spring
like breeze lazily stirred the number of flags
and streamers, especial aids, in brilliant
uniforms, chased hithcr and thither, lending
animation to the scene. The police regula-
ton were perfect and the broad avenue,
with its hard, smooth surface, was com
pletely cleared of everything that might OBJ
struct the pageant. The United States
regular troops came first, thus departing
somewhat from the order of the programme,
with the probable object of securing a clear
marching space. Their ranks extended
clear across the avenue and presented a most
imposing appearance. The United States
Marine corps, with its magnificent band fol-
lowed the artillery battallions. This section
of the procession proceeded rs far as the
south front of the treasury department and
then halted and come to parade rest
in order to afford an opportunity for the
presidential party TO fall in line. When the
march was resumed the president-elect's
carriage was proceeded by General Slocum,
the chief marshal and his staff, and troop
of United States cavalry. Surrounding the
carriage were IL dozen mounted policemen.
The party received an ovation all along the
line of march. Men cheered, women
waived their handkerchiefs and clapped
their hands, and the greatest enthusiasm
was evinced by the throng. President-elect
Cleveland kept his silk hat in hand and
bowed to the right and left us the carriage
rolled slowly along. The same recep-
ton WAS accorded the vice-pres ident
whose carriage followed next. Next came
the National Democratic committee and the
inaugural committees carriages, followed
by the District militia headed BY the
Washington light infantry. The marching
of this organization with its unusually long
front WAS almost perfect, and it succeeded in
making difficult wheel at the southeast
corner of the treasury building without
breaking. A feat which even the United
States regulars did not attempt. \ number
of colored military organizations formed
part of the first division and presented a
highly creditable appearance. Members of
the Grand Amy of the Republic closed the
escorting divisions.
Before o'clock fully three thousand peo-
Pile had congregated on the broad plaza to
the east of the capitol and on the terrace
east. To the west the approaches to the
building both for carriages and pedestrians
were blocked with strangers going to and
from the great structure. On the streets
north of the building military companies
and societies were forming and preparing to
march to the center OF the city. Hundreds
of people who had passed the night
in Baltimore, and who had ar
rived on the early morning trains
lined the thoroughfares. Members of polt-
teal organizations who had found quarters
for the previous night in smaller hotels in
the vicinity of the capitol, stood gossipping
on the subject of the day, their conspicuous
hats and overcoats Of light or dark material
and badges of rcd, blue or purple silk,
were objects for the stranger. An OCCASION
al rooster design ornameEted the head COW
erings The people on the plaza stood in
groups or promenaded the length Of the
capitol with resident friends. Occasion
ally member of congress,
whose WEAKNESS from continued sit
ting. was conspicuous stroller with his
town and country constituents. and pointed
out objects of interest. Many of the stran-
gers had been unable to find II resting place
during the night and their faces and clothes
were covered with dust and dirt. Many of
them carried carpet sacks or valises in hand.
while few had their visiting clothes in
good sizsd handbook. Talkativc individ-
uals related their experiences of
past inaugurations. An old mau
with beard us long as Rip Van Win
kle, entertained many with his account of
the burning of the capitol by the British in
1914. He said he was % years old and was
from one of the first families of Virginia.
Little did think" he remarked, when |
r., Id H. 10. \
Grover Cleveland inaugurated in 1855" On
the east steps of the house side of the cap
itol three or four hundred people had seated
themselves. A few of the early birds had
reserved choice positions at 6 o'clock
and had held them with chairs
which they had brought from
their own homes. The western terrace was
crowded with spectators. Looking up Penn
sylvania avenue, along which the procession
was 10 move, that thoroughfare was filed
almost from curb to curb with moving hui
manity. Policemen, who stood at the EN-
frances through which persons were to be
admitted to the capitol, were vigorously
engaged in moving from the doorways hun
dreds who had congregated about them. At
the basement entrance to the east front of
the senate wing both men and women were
using their argunentive powers te influence
officers, but without success. Through
this entrance senators gained adj
mission, and "Lave, senator IN" shouted
a large-sizcd officer, as he gave dozen or
more men and women vigorous shove.
Mr.. Cameron, of Wisconsin, was the first
party to enter. He WAS wedged through
and succeeded in aiding half dozen ladies,
who accompanied HIM, in gaining admit
lance. "Lave the senator in" again shouted
the officer, SO Senator Conger's slight form
was squeezed through, the two men almost
us closely united MS the Samese twins. Two
ladies who accompanied the distinguished
gentlemen were favored more than the sena-
tors. They were pushed through and lifted
from their feet until after they had gotten
beyond the crowd. Their hats and bOnnets
were subjects for general repair. by 10
O'Clock the procession began to form on
the streets and avenues east OF the capitol.
On all sides were TO be heard the strains of
national anthems, the tattoo of drum corps
coming up on one side of the capitol mingled
with the sound of the buglc and the brass
band, of troops advancing on the opposite
side The Tsmmany society, from New
York, was one of the first organizations ON
the grounds. As the Tammany sacbem, at
tired in aboriginal costume, entered the place
he was accosted by ugh, Ugh" and other
expressions. Civic and mill
tary organizations, preceded by single
drummer boy or band of 100 pieces as the
case might be, followed and took the posi-
tons assigned them. The sun shone bril-
liantly on the uniforms of the troops and
their bayonets cleaned in the sunshine like
a sea of FURNISHED steel The crowd had in
creased to 5000 or 1000 and crowded the
plaza. General Hancock and Lieutenant
General Sheridan arrived, and as they rs
eended the steps to the east front of the |
,enate wing deafening cheer arose from
he crowd. Twenty minutes later the pres
dents carriage, with the four horses fairly |
entered the west end of the plaza. I
Prior to its arrival the people stood en-
masse over The east front Policemen on |
horses rode among them and with /
shouts and clubs cleared a passage 1
way. The carriage began to move through /
he passage way, preceded by the military, /
he people cheered, first family, but as the /
vehicle proceeded hurrahs increased, hats |
we're lifted and thrown into the air, handker-
,hiefs were waved above heads by both la
lies and gentlemen, tiny flags held by patri-
tic children and elders were waved, the
bands seemed to play with greater vigor and
irums were beaten with greater vehemence,
he flutes shrill sound was piercing and the
,ugie's blast louder and louder. The car
iage was driven in front of the
asst steps and around to the
,assape way with them. 1t had been