The Osceola times., 1885-03-14
over the route arranged by tar -,
Marshal. VIC Saiei
THE INAUGURAL R.rt

WASHINGTON, ID. c., March
time the doors Of the new pan.I hs
ing were thrown open, the wild. s,nh.n sia'
streets for squares around pressr,.s 'aa
animated scene. Carriages rn.hs "a
from every direction to the entrsnc.
their occupants would enter the vas, ,,'",
ing Judiciary Square, upon the por.sA .,Aa'
side of which the new Pension Build,.s'
located, was alive with people
Upon entering the building n a.
sight presented itself, while thron.ns
the immense ballroom the strains ~ ssaous o
world renowned Marine Band, unds. ne
leadership of Prof. Saussa, caught ~ we
and added greatly to the enchantmsn, :.
the scene. VI
Once inside the building, all was ~,,,
of excitement and gaiety. The .nn..
ance Of the ballroom baffi es descrip,,.'
1t is so immense-ll6x376 feet; and ligh.an.
by hundred colossal candles, otheswi.ss
Siemen gas burners, with trailing stssm"''
of National colors sweeping from e1s nanns
nave; with pillars and posts and balcoO,@s'
covered with bunting; with entrancs. -
scores Of rooms on the Ar
floor beautifully drapsd and .rchas
with rich and heavy danny
and handsome curtains gathered in 80
folds; with the walls entirely hid ~
bunting as a background for shields ~
elegant silk flags, and with the bright sS4
gantic circular pillars, seven feet In II.
ameter, which support the roof, risin,
upwards hundred leet, all tasteIuiix
wrapped and completely hid with drapery
and eyergreens; and with the crowd
promenading below, all combined. prs.
sented to view a picture most beautiful
indeed.
In the early hours Of the promeu.d.
concert, when the gu ests were compsra.
lively few and the Marine Band playsd
slow and stately marches, the vstas h..
tween the massive pillars gave the mpres.
sion of some vast cathedral. But that
was only passing aspect, which quickly
changed into one of the brightest anims.
tion.
la the Presidents reception room q chalr
decorated with flowers under a magni6.
cent floral canopy had been prepared for
the President, and the whole room waa
festooned with smilax, whilst round the
walls and at the north end Of the main
hall floral designs of large size and beauti.
ful elaboration Of detail were placed, typl.
flying the different executive departments
OF the Government. For instance, q ship,
the hull composed of doubl, violet.
the masts and sails OF roses set in a back.
ground of marquettes, represented the
Navy Department. Keys and q massive
safe all in flowers represented the Treas.
ury. A stamped envelope of flowers ad.
dressed the Post Office. An open law book
with the motto Fiat Justitia, the Depart.
ment Of Justice, and so on.
With regard to toilets the greatest Va.
riety was observable. Many of the vast
crowds OF strangers visiting the city car.
riei "Jeifersonian simplicity" TO an ex.
treme and came to the ball without the
slightest pretense Mt evening costumes
while on the other hand many OF the
toilets displayed excelled n richness and
beauty anything ever before seen In this
city, where magnificent dressing Is often
carried to excess.
Attwenty-five minutes after ten o'clocl
the band struck up Hail TO the Chief,
and a few minutes after the last notes died
away Pres, dent Cleveland, mufiied in Z
heavy brown overcoat, entered the build
ing with gratfied smile on his face, close
ly followed by Secretary McCulloch, ant
at once proceeded to the reception room
where he was afterward joined by thu
other members of the Cabinet.
Ex-President Arthur, Secretary Fre
linghuysen, Secretary Teller and many
other prominent Republican officials alsC
put in an appearance soon after. About
eleven O'Clock President Cleveland. fol
lowed by Mr.. and Mrs. Manning, Vice.
President Hendricks and Colonel Lamont'
and wife, promenaded around the bal
room, stopping occasionally and chatting
with friends.
About l:3O O'Clock the President lef
the ball room and repaired to his new
home. Vice. President Hendricks re
mained n while longer. Dancing theI
fairly began, and was kept up at interval
until a late hour.