Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-27
INAUGURAL BALLS. 49,
Fetes of Former Days Given I'm Honor Of
New Presidents.


Fetes of Former Days Given I'm Honor OF
New Presidents.
THE PENSION BUILDING COURT LIKELY TO BxcoxI
THE NATIONAL BALL-Roox-wHERE TIE INAU
oURAL BALLS OF YoRMxR YEARS HAVE BxEy
HKLD-sonE INTERESTING HISTORY.
On the nigh. Of the 9Th Of March next
for the second time in its history, the hall Of
the Pension building will be converted into q
huge ballroom. So admirably did it answer
for that purpose after the Inauguration of Pres
ident Cleveland that no other place was thought
Of as fitting or commodious enough for the
grand ball which is expected to crown the GER
emonies attendant upon the induction into
Office Of Gen. Benjamin Harrison Nowhere
In the United States can be found such ball
room. 1t is 316 feet long and 116 feet wide,
and around this great space are galleries from
which the less agile or more retired may view
tho gaiety of the scene below; the
magnificent costumes; the unsurpass-
able array OF manly grandeur sand
womanly loneliness. It is more than
probable that this hall has been tacitly dedi-
Gated to Terpsichore, on inaugural occasions,
for long time to come. Spacious as this
immense ballroom is, the question has already
arisen whether it will afford room to accom-
modate all who may wish to go to the ball. At
the last inaugural ball the accommodations
were not roomy enough for the crowd, and the
probabilities are that greater multitude will
be present on March 4next. 1t is this question
Of room which Is responsible for the suggested
increase in the price of ball-tickets. There
will be, it is estimated, nearly half q million
people in the city to witness President Harri-
sons Inauguration, but only 5000 of them can
secure admission to the ball. It will not be
long before higher tariff or a larger BALI
room will be the two horns of the quadrennial
dilemma. Six balls have already been given
In Judiciary square, and the coming event
will, it is predicted, overshadow all its prede-
cessors, not only those given in that vicinity,
but all others.
THE FIRST INAUGURATION BALL.
The custom Of giving inaugural balls origi-
mated on the occasion Of the second inaugura-
ton Of Gen. Washington, in Philadelphia, in
1873. This ball was given in pursuance Of the
following card, which appeared in the Phila-
delphia papers:
'3The members of the Senate and the House
OF Representatives Of the United States are re-
spectively invited to ball. on the 4th Of March,
1873, to be given by the Dancing assembly, in
honor Of the unanimous reelection Of George
Washington, the President Of the United
States; the anniversary of the present form of
government Of the United States and parting
leave with the members Of the present Con-
gress."
PRESIDENT HADrSONe BALL.
The first inaugural ball given in this city was
ON the evening Of the Inauguration Of Presi-
dent Madison, in 1909. The ball, which was
given at Longs hotel, was declared to be ''the
most brilliant and crowded ever known in
Washington" Ex-President Jefferson and
President Madison were present and all the
foreign ministers in Washington. The COM
pany present, it was estimated, exceeded four
hundred" not very large number according
to modern ideas.
PRESIDENT MONROE.
A ball was given on the occasion of the Sec
ond Inauguration of President Monroe, in
OF the managers of the Washington assem-
bies
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
Among the managers of the ball given at the
Inauguration of John Quincy Adams, in 1925,
were Gen. R. C. Weightman, Thos. Monroe, W.
W. Seaton, w. A. Bradley, Richard Wallach
Gather of ex-Mayor Wallach), Daniel Brent,
and other prominent citizens. The ball was
held we're all the fashionable affairs Of the
kind in that day, at Carus,'s saloon, now known
as the Theater Comique.
PRESIDENT JACKSON.
On the occasion Of Andrew Jackson's first
Inauguration, in 1929, ball was given at this
place. At his second Inauguration. in 1888,
ball was given at the Central Masonic hall, on
Louisiana avenue.
PRESIDENT VAN BURENs
inaugural ball Qs3D was given at Carusi's sa-
loon and was q notably brilliant event. 1t was
found, however, that the hall, though quite
spacious, was rather cramped for an occasion
OF this character, and at the next Inaugural
ton, that Of
PRESIDENT HARRISON,
the managers having that in charge determined
TO make a change, and the old theater on
Louisiana avenue was secured for this occasion.
II was purchased by committee, consisting of
four public-spirited gentlemen Of this commu-
nifty, completely Quilted and remodeled inside;
esuitable dancing floor was laid supper dress
ing and retiring rooms were arranged and no
expense was saved to make the old building
look as attractive possible. The ball proved
grand success, both socially and pecuniarily,
Tor, after paying all expenses of purchasing and
renting the building, and all other incidental
expenses, a surplus Of about $4,000 was left,
which was divided between the Protestant and
Catholic orphan asylums of the District The
building in which the ball took place was sub
sequently somewhat changed in its interior
arrangements, when, as the Washington As
sembly Rooms" it became famous as the scene
OF some OF the most pleasant sociables and
reunions which grace the annals of our city.
Still later, during the war, it was again turned
into theater, and as such terminated its
career as victim to the flames. Peoples
11ppecanoe Inauguration Bali was also given
on the occasion Of President Harrison's lnsugu-
ration at Carusi's saloon; also Native Amer
lean Inauguration Ball" at the (then) Masonic
hall
PRESIDENT PoLK
The Inauguration ball of President Polk took
place in Carusi's saloon, and. though the ex-
IRENE crowding was an annoyance (notwith-
standing thb tickets were limited to 6UO) IL
was, on the whole, a very pleasant affair. II
was conspicuous for the gorgeous toilets of the
ladies and the number Of uniforms. the corps
diplomatique and army and navy being repre-
sented In full force. Like its predecessors, it
proved q success, financially; that is, there was
NO loss.
PRESIDENT TAYLOR.
1t having become evident that there was no
hall or building in Washington which could
give entire satisfaction as a ballroom on such
great public occasions as presidential inaueu-
rations, it was determined when Gen. TAYLOR
was inaugurated to construct q Temporary
building for the accommodation Of the guests
and dancers. After some deliberation Judci-
airy square was chosen the site, and a wooden
building erected in the rear Of the CITY Hall
with which communicated through the covered
passages. This structure was splendidly decor
ated and furnished with all the comforts and
conyeniences Of the period, and, to add still
further splendor to the event, the celebrated
Austrian band Of Prof Gungl was engaged TO
furnish the dancing music, it having then lust
arrived in this country. The expense attend
ing this feature was very considerable, but it