The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1885-03-05
DELIVERY OF THE INAuouRGl.,
President Cleveland rs an Orator
His Personal Appearance and


e-HA W Ah6
President Cleveland rs an Orator
His Personal Appearance and
Characteristics.
The delivery of the inaugural address
consumed twenty.three minutes. When
Mr.. Cleveland uttered his first sentence
there was an outburst of applause, which
occupied several minutes. After that he
was interrupted only at intervals of con-
siderable time aud but momentarily. He
spoke in loud tones. His voice was clear
and pleasant and his words easily distin-
guished He talked 50 slowly that he
seemed to weigh every syllable, yet there
was constant flow, steady aud regular,
and not a hesitation from tho beginning TO
the finish. He had his remarks perfectly
committed and they were surely heard By
10000 people. He had no notes, no manu-
script the only written or printed words
in view being slight memoranda peuciled
upon visiting card which he held in his
hand. He was perfectly prepossessed
There was no tremor in his voice, no nerv-
business in his limbs, and so ignorant was
every one Of what he intended to say that
he commanded the closest attention from
those about him.
President Arthur sat at Mr.. Clevelaud's
left and Chief Justice Waite and Senator
Sherman Immediately in front Of aud fac.
ing him.
Immediately about we're members of tho
Supreme Court, the Diplomatic Corps, Soma
tors, Representatives and other distin-
guished guests. Generals Sheridan aud
Hancock sat within ten feet of the Presi-
dent elect; Nice-President Hendricks very
near them.
A little disappointment was evinced by
those upon the platform at the body-mat.
ter of tho address. lt was expected that
there would be some direct reference to the
policy Of the incoming Administration. On
the contrary it was regarded as indirect
The outbursts from tho crowd as the
President.elect spoke showed moro admira-
tion for the man than anxiety to hear his
sentiments for the applause was often un-
timely.
No one listened moro attentively than
did President Arthur. When Mr.. Cleveland
referred to his proposed foreign policy there
was fresh start of perspiration on tho re-
firing Presidents brow, Indicating that he
regarded it, as many have suggested, as an
intimation of disapproval Of the present at
titude Of this Government towards the
Congo conference and relative affairs.
At times Mr.. Cleveland turned half around
to the audience on the platform and sent
his words down to tho rough plank floor, as
If to say they went for naught, being adj
dressed to the members Of a House of Rep
resentatives who had 50 ruthlessly disrc-
galdCd his recently expressed wishes on tho
question of silver coinage.
During much of tho time Vice President
Hendricks, while listening to the words of
the speaker, was making comments lsOtto
voce) to Senator Ransom and ex-SeCretary
Lincoln. He always smiled when there
was applause. 1t was noticed, however,
that when Cleveland referred to his deter
mination to enforce the Civil-Service laws
Mr.. Hendricks face heightened with the
alacrity of q flash. There was a ripple of
applause on the platform, at which the In
dianian looked around reprovingly. Tho
audience In front started to applaud but
quickly subsidized when the last sentence on
the subject was uttered, showing unmis-
taxable disapproval.
Mr. Cleveland appeared in a suit of black
worsted corkscrew, Prince Albert coat, very
plain and cut low in front. He wore q
black tie, broad Congress shoes, with dark
cloth tops, and at no time covered his
hands. His appearance was strikingly uu-
ostentatious. He looked we'll. His hair
was closely cropped. There is a desert of
badness, round in shape and about four
inches in diamater, on the crown of his
head. He has a high forehead that is in.
clined to badness in front, where he has
wbisp Of hair, which played about in the
breeze and added age, rather than youth,
to his appearance, and suggesting a general
struggle with his hirsute covering.
President Arthur wore a pair of un-
dressed kid gloves, which he removed in
the Senate, and while on the stand en-
gagged himself in drawing them over his
hands and observing their perfect fit.
1t took Chief Justice Waite but a half
minute to administer the oath. Mr.. Cleve-
land then turned around, inquired for his
overcoat, and upon being informed that a
the crowd, shaking hands with those who
presented themselves. Five minutes later,
with ex-President Arthur, Chief Justice
Waite aud Senator Sherman, no was being
driven to the White House, where he re-
viewed the procession.