Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-03-05
THE INAUGURAL BALL
Scene of Beauty and Splendor-The
Finale of the Inauguration.

IIuaio OF the INCARCERATION.
WASHINGTON, March 4th.-The great court OF
the Pension Building is tonight illuminated
with light and color as to the seductive music OF
the great orchestras thousands glide through
the movements of the dance or stroll in the cor
ridors aad promenades admiring and coDtribut-
lug to the marvellous beauty of the scene. The
court of the new Pension Building is undoubt-
eddy the largest and grandest interior of its kind
on this continent, and in respect to symmetrical
beauty 1t has few superiors in the world. The
area of tassalated floor is about q, 900 square
feet or very nearly an acre.
Four years ago. when the first Inauguration
ball was held here, the then unfinished condi-
ton of the building rendered highly effective
decoration exceedingly difficult, and in some
respects quite impossible, but tonight the per-
lection OF decorative art seems to have been
attained.
A GORGEOUS SCENE
The ballroom is indeed picture of fairyland.
A thousand incaCdescent lights flooded the
building with softened radiance. Choice flow
ers periumed the air and delighted the eye,
while strains of music fell sensuously upon the
ear. The decorations were finer than any thing
ever attempted before at an inaugural ball. The
most conspicuous feature of the interior was the
two-story Jaranese pagoda in the center of the
hall The lower part of the pagoda was grotto
built OF rock and ferns around the fountain, a
picturesque retreat for the dancers. where they
could rest surrounded by the glamor of flowers.
soft lights and running water. On the second
floor OF the pagoda was string band of 100 per-
fo ra $, playing the e m music for the dance
.
TiDe Band, which conducted the promenade
concert. The structure was covered with flags
and bunting, here and there illuminated with
sparks from electric lights. Portraits of har-
rison and Morton were placed on the front, and
running entirely around the structure, just
above the first story, was a line of shiel@s each
bearing the name of State or Territory. On
the top of the psgoda the word Constitution"
blazed forth in letters of fire.
The eight massive colrmns supporting the
lofty roof were twined with laurel garlands and
rn1m lpaUpc Tho daporatinDc of ha
proper gave one the impression of mass of
color. glitter of armor, the drapery of flags
and biilows of banting. The galleries sur
rounding the hall were draped with American
flags, interspersed with gaplands of laurel and
pine.
The ceiling was covered with 5000 yards of
laurel festoons Suspended from the lower gal
lery. was series of panels five feet by ten,
made entirely of choice flowers panel being
devoted to each department of State, upon
which was wrought in half relief some suitable
device.
The main feature of the decorations, how
ever, consisted of two immense floral balls
which were suspended at the east and west
ends OF the hail. Each ball was fifteen feet in
diameter, resembling two enormous floral bal
looms. When the President and Vice President,
accompanied by the ladies OF their party, en-
tered the hall they passed under the first of
these balls. AS they did SO, an attendant pulled
string which opened the ball and shower of
cut-howers and roses descended upon them at
the same time the second floral balloon was
opened and RELEASE d a flock of canary birds and
paroquttS.
The music of the evening was of two kinds.
one furnished by the United States Marine
Band, directed by Professor John Philip Sousa,
assisted by Salvatore Petrola, and the other by
Beck's Orr hestra of one hundred pieces, con-
Quoted by Simon Aassler and ). g. s. Beck. The
promenade concert proceeded the dancing and
began with THE Presidential Polonaise, COM
posed by Professor usa for the occasion, and
performed by both the band and the orchestra.
THE SUPPER ROOM
Was composedof five large rooms on the north
east corner of the Building, giving a space IT'S
feet long by thirty feet wide. Along its entire
length ran a buftea behind which stood waters
to supply the people temporary shed. i6S
feet long. was buiis for a kitchen ON the onsside
of the building. aad the food was handed 10 the
walters, through windows opening from the
supper-room to, the kitchen. he slpreT fee
was 81, and the bill of fare was extensive and
varied.
Forithe last Inauguration there were provided
Loco qpartsok ice cream, 500 quarts of water
ices. zoo roast turkeys, 800 boiled tnrkeys. l00
hams. $50 Tongues, sixteen sets ofroast beef. two
barrels of chicken salad, 5000 rells, Gee pounds
of, butter and sos loaves OF bread, while .oi
such dazntles as pate de fol- grass consomme,
+ salmon and hlsS big quantites,were ON hand.
I BaEsyRgNT HARRISON AT THE EALL.
| The ballroom was crowded when, at II
O'clock. the Presidential party goald seon ar
rive. A lew minutes laser President Harrison
| and party reached tho building, escorted by
Col9nel Britton, Chain ztan oS the Executiy,
| Committee. They were met al the entrance BY
| the Reception Committee, headed by Genera
McCanslon. An opeE< passage was formed b.
| the members of the Con Mittee. and throu5i
! this Lane the party proceeded to the stairv1a,
reserved for them The President took the asu
of General McCammon. aud Mrs. Harrison wa
escorted by Colonel isrittea. The other me1aoer
followed.
| The ladies, shortly atseS reaching their rooms
retired TO arrange their toilets, while Genera
Harrison held q rece4zsOn. The members of tn
inaugural Committees, a number os Govern
4 officials Hnd n.lifp n fl of hA1ipc xra
presented to him by General McCsmmon. To
| President wss IN excellent spirits, snd plsa.
antly greeted all who were introduced. chattin
for a few lsiputes with those with whom ews
acquainted. Among thos, presented TO aim
TIE recee aiDn were the Coresn Minister Repre-
sentatiyes Cox and Ketcnam, Senator Sta1for
and g aumber of army officers
WkYe. President HARRISON was holding his il
formal leyee, Vice-Pr.sident and Mrs. Motto
apt their daughters, arrived, accompanied
Nyron NJ Parker and Henry A. Willard. an
. weve conducted. to the apartments reserved E
them. The ladies' in the Presidential par
Yera Mis-. II arrison Mrs Russell b Hnrrisl