The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1885-03-11
The INAUGURATION.

The Inauguration of President Cleveland
The great event of the month. The pre-
paration for procession and other public
display aud exercises were on the most
elaborate and grand scale, and labor and
expense were not spared to make 1t the
most brilliant Inauguration that was ever
participated In by the people of the United
States. As a matter Of course Mr.. Cleve-
land was the centre Of attraction. He was
clad In full suit oil black, Prince Albert
coat, high, old fashioned standing collar
aud black tie. lu speaking be held his len
hand closed behind him and emphasized
his speech by gestures with his right hand.
He spoke without manuscript but occa-
sionally consulted small piece OF paper
bearing notes of the heads OF bis dis
course. His voice WAS clear and resonant
and he slowly euunclated his words and
occasionally turned about At the pauses as
If to note the effect of his remarks. His
reference TO the prohibition Of foreign
contract labor called out loud and long
continued applause; but his allusi0n TO
civil service reform fell pretty fat. At
precisely Two minutes after noon be con.
cluded. Turning to the Chief Justice, and
bowling 10 him he said: ~ am now pre-
pared to take the oath prescribed by law"
The Bible used was one which Mr.. Cleve-
laud mother gave him when he left home
as young man, aud at his special request
the commit tee of arrangements had 1t In
readiness Tor the ceremony. The crowd
preser, ed perfect quiet during the impress
sive c, remony of administering the oath.
When it vas concluded, and AS Pi esident
Cleveland laid down the Bible, after rever-
ent y kissing it, and shook hands with the
Chief Justice, who was tn first to con.
graduate him, they ch,ered loudly and
long. Elk President Arthur was the second
man to congra .ulate the President aud then
followed others. He returned to the capt.
toll, walked to the basement entrance,
where he first came into the building and
entered his carriage to be driven In the
procession to the White House
At the conclusion of the ceremonies at
the capitol the processicn escorted the par
ty back to the White House When every
thing was In readiness the entire party
proceeded to the reviewing stand, direct 10
front of the Mansion, aud the order was
given to move. Taken all 10 all rs CON-
bined military and civil display the pro
cession was undoubtedly the largest and
finest ever seen In Washington.
A brilliant finale Of the inauguration was
the ball; 1t put the cap sheaf Of gayety on
the more formal and serious, though
grand ceremonial, which preceded the ball
was held in the unfinished new Pension
building, the immense structure enclosing
aIec,ansulsr court yard more than 800
feet long by 100 wide.
promenade concert opened the festiv.
ties aud was continued from eight to elev
en- O'Clock, during which time the Presi-
dent held bis levee In the reception room.
Dancing began at eleven o'clock. Music
WAS furnished by the Germania Orchestrs
of Philadelphia.
Members of the committee estimate the
number Of ball tickets sold at $4,000 and
10000 appears to be very low estimate OF
the number present In the room and bal
comics.
The public celebration Of the day ended
with a display of fireworks. In character
1t was like all displays Of fireworks, but in
volume and variety Is said 70 have excelled
any former pyrotechnical exhibition on
this continent.