The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-05

ofiiiiant toiIetS are moving ao0ub IN the pazes
| OF the dance, while thousands more
circle round on the outskirts in cease
| less promenade, and other thousands
| look down upon them from the surrounding bal
comics, is the grand framework of ensemble,
which. bursting suddenly upon ones view, is
| magnifcently bewildering. The decorations
cover the whole Interior with the exception of
the roof, and this is almost hidden from view by
| a network of streamers, flags and bunting and
all is brilliant coloring, in which the red, white
and blue tints of the American flag predomi-
mates, but are toned down by the contrasting
| dark green of the natural garlands
hung in festoons. and of the foliage
of tropical plants which are banked about the
supports of the roof and in corners OF the hall,
and are blended with the rich dark hues of the
velvet hangings and the mellow sheen of the
| damask draperies. The wealth of colors is re-
leved against a background of pure white mus
lin, and is blended into harlmony and sofMess
under the diffused light of the lamps which hang
from the roof like great globes of fire. The
entire scene forms brilliant setting for the rich
toilets of the dancers and promenaders and the
verchanging panorama on the floor.
Banks Of tropical plants surround the bases
of the eight large columns which support the
roof and wreaths ofevergreens are twined round
the columns from base to capitals. AT the east
end of the hall an immense plate-glass mirror.
sixteen feet high and ten feet wide, with bev-
eled edge three inches wide, anG q frame COM
posed of two pieces of cut glass, rises from
massed palms and flowers, against a background
of deep crimson. and reflects from the
surface the lights and colors of the
ballroom. The music stands are hung
with rich green and purple silk
damasks, and flags are twined about their sup
ports. In each of the four corners of the ball
room tiers of stands, reaching the height Of the
balcony, arc placed, and on these palms and
ferns are massed in rich profusion. The richest
part of the decorations, however, is on the front
of the balcony Along the entire length around
the ballroom there is stretched on this balcony
heavily embroidered for half its depth with gold
thread in elegant design. This velvet
was made in Lyons, France, and
was imported for the special purposes of
this decoration, and its deep, rich coloring is the
harmonizing tone of the whole mass of color.
The Background of this balcony is tri-colored
bunting; with which the walls are hung Out
lined against this are the small doric pillars
which enclose the balcony and support the
above it. To each there is suspended an Ameri.
can silk standard. surmounted by circular
shield, on which is blazoned the arms of one of
the States or Territories. Garlands of evergreen
hang in festoons from the balcony,
and are twined about the pillars which are
further decked with mixed palms at their bases.
At the height of the balcony, at one end of the
hall, is large spread-eagle formed of gas jets,
and at the other end five ponted star. formed
in the same manner Over all is a forest of
streamers flags and bunting, which hang from
the peak of the roof from the cornces and raft
ers. Half moon shaped punches Of flags project
downward from the peak of the roof and from
these spring streamers Of all coiors in profusion.
Seven large floral pieces, placed in various parts
of the ballroom, represent the arms of the sew
eral executive departments
The rooms set apart by the committee for the
use of the President are magnifcently decorated,
and the air therein is heavy with the perfume of
flowers. which abound everywhere on the walls
and ceiling, and are massed In large stands dis
tributed about the room.
A promenade concert opened the festivities of
the evening, and was continued from to III P.
NJ, during which time the President held his
levee in the reception room Dancing began
upon conclusion of the concert
ARRIVAL OF THE PRESIDENT.
It was half past 10 o'clock when President
Cleveland arrived at the ballroom. lie was i'm
mediately escorted TO the Presidents room,
where for half an hour he held an informal re-
ception, the members of the reception COM
nlittee and small number of distinguished per-
sons being presented TO him. The President
was accompanied by Miss Cleveland and Mrs
Hoyt, his sisters and by his brother, the Rev
Mr.. Cleveland, the latters wife and
two sons; Mr.. Hastings, his nephew; Miss
Hastings Miss Nettie Yeomans and Miss Anna
Yeonans, Mr.. and Mrs. Bacon, the Presidents
brotherin-law and wife, of Toledo and Colonel
and Mrs Lamont About the same time ex-
President Arthur arrived, and he too, was
escorted to the Presidents room. With him
were Secretaries Lincoln and Chandler Secre
tary and Mrs. McCulloch, Attorney general
Brewster and Mrs. Brewster, Postmaster general
Hatton and Mrs Hatton, and Secretary Teller
and Mrs. Teller.
Vice-president Hendricks arrived about the
same time and joined the President. In the
room at this time there was a large audSdistin-
guished gathering, including persons of most
diverse shades of political opinion. Besides the
persons already named there were present
Gol1
Sheridan and Mrs Sheridan General
Rosecrans, Hon. Daniel Manning and
wife. Senator Pendleton, Hon. Richard
T. Merrick, Senator Wade Hampton, Senator
Brown of Georgia. Justice Field of the SUI
preme Court, and Speaker Carlisle and Mrs.
Carlisle. There was no formal reception by
President Cleveland, but large number of per
sons pressed about him and some Of the gentle
men standing in the immediate vicinity made
presentations. After half an hour spent in this
manner, the room became overcrowded, and the
President and Vice president the former es-
corJed by Senator Pendleton and Richard T.
Merrick and the latter by Represe atative Eaton
and S. V. Niles, left the room and made the
round Of the ballroom the band playing 'Hail
to the Chief"
After the presidential party had left the recep-
ton room the crowd continued to Dour into it
through the other doors, unaware that Mr.
Cleveland had left. Standing near the center
of the room was Senator Bayard, and the crowd
pressed about him and shook hands with him as
they passed, apparently under the impression
That he was Vice president Hendricks When
the Senator at last discovered that he was being
mistaken for somebody else, he abandoned the
room.
The scene in the ball room at the time was ex-
ceedingly brilliant The largo hall was COM
pletely filled with a constantly moving crowd,
numbering several thousand while from the bal
comics thousands moro looked down upon the
scene The bright toilets of the ladies, the bril-
liant uniforms of the diplomats and the army
and navy officers, the flowers, the glttering
jewels. the decorations and lights were promi-
nent features, and the scene was one to be long
remembered
The President after making tour of the
ballroom, returned to the reception room, and
for little while received ali who came in to paw
their respects but at 1l:30 he and his party left
the building and Vice president Hendricks and his
party also retired. Dancing continued until very
late hour. and 10 900 appears to be a low est.