The Press., 1885-02-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, D. C., Fc

Washington D. C., Feb 2G 1885. President elect Clevelaud's cabinet, the dedication of the Washington monument, which took place to-day, and the near ap- preaching inauguration are tue prevailing topics here. As the date for the dedica- tory ceremonies of the monument drew near, interest centered around the impos- | ing shaft erected to the memory of the father of his country. But little was done Ill preparation for the occasion at the mon- ument itself. The stand from which the speeches were delivered, and which Was blown down a few days since, was rebuilt The little shops around the base of the monument were removed, electric lights
 were placed inside the structure, the ele- vator was provided with seats, and some other temporary touches We're added for
 the convenience of the public. The city
 awoke this morning Ill a fiutter of excite
 ment over the event. Many visitors had
 come to participate ill the celebration Citizens, men, women, nurses, and child ren turned out upon the streets to see the
 procession march from the monument to
 the capitol. It was department holiday,
 and thousands of department clerks swelled
 the throngs on the sidewalks. The pro-
 cession was the only part of the dedication
 with the exc sption of the pyrotechnic dis
 play, that the general public was permit
 ted to enjoy. The oratory prayers, some
 special music, and other formalitles were
 reserved for the hall of representatives, and
 were necessarily exclusive. Congress, the
 supreme court, the diplomatic corps, and other specially invited guests monopoized l the floor of the house, while the galleries were given up to the sisters and the cous- ins aud the aunts of members of congress.
 and to their specially invited friends. Still, |,
 the people did not care much for that. They
 could read the oratory and prayers next
 day, amid comfortable surroundings, and
 the procession was the most attractive
 part of it all. The nodding plumes and
 brilliant uniforms of the military, the
 bright regalia of civic organiz .tions mov-
 ing about preparatory to forming in line,
 floating streamers and the trmult of brass
 bands in every direction presented strik- ing scene
 About fifteen hundred persons had tick
 cts to the grand stand at the monument to
 the speeches there. The stand was deco
 rated with flags, banners and bunting
 which Tapped noislly in the crisp, wintry
 air. The pageant was marshalled by Gen.
 eral Sheridan, and during its march from the monument to the capitol, battery of
 artillery near by, simultaneously with bat
 teries stationed at Fort Myer and the navy
 yard, fired salute of one hundred minute guns. The president, justices of the su-
 preme court, senators and representatives rode to the capitol in carriages of uniform pattern and decorations, and all the aids , representing states and territories, were furnished with horses. About five hun : dred members of the presidents mounted guard were in line, and the grand army o the republic was also largely represented
 But the leading feature of the parade was 3 the part taken by the order of Freemasons notwithstanding the recent petition tt congress, protesting against any masonic , observance at the dedication, on the clain that Washington was not i'll sympath, with the order during his latter years. A
 early as last Thursday the masons began to arrive in the city in large numbers The grand lodges of the various state were represented, in addition to which tho grand chapters and grand encampments o ], the order of Knight Templars were in at
 tendance. Theae bodies with their ricl } 1egalia added greatly to the appearance o tho procession. Throughout the day :: collation. was served, to which all visiting
 masons were invited. At night a banque . was given to the brotherhood, at whicl the most distinguished masons if thu
 OAiteu otaoes Weio present, ihcluulnS number of senators and representatives : who hava held high positions in masonry
 Only nine members are now living, wh' 8 were members of the senate in 184S, whel : that body attended the laying of the corn 6 or stone of the Washington monument :. One of them, ex-Vice President Hamlin U came to see it dedicated. The military al y engagements of the parade were particular n complete and effective, and prove Genera , Sheridans competency to marshall force j. for memorial purposes as we'll as those fo J, sterner work. s..