Omaha daily bee., 1889-03-05
NUMBER 263


The most conspicuous feature OF the in.
terror sceuc is thrce-story Japanese
pagoda, about 2lX30 feet in size, in tho cen.
ter of the court, built over and around
fountain. The lower part of the pagoda isa
picturesque grotto of rocks ferns and
flowers. On its second floors are stationed
a hundred performers composing an or
chostra from Philadelphia who play dance
%s' Sor the AS0v' amS%s nS@ on anS iSS tsir$ Sana
discourscs music for the promenade. The
whole structure is gay with strcamors, fcs-
toons and colorcd lights. Tall, graceful
palms and towering tropical plants and
masses of smilaN adorn the floors and roof.
The unique music stand is indeed u triumph
of beauty,
On tho west front of tho first gallery hangs
large oil painting of President Harrison,
and on the east front one of Vice President
Morton, each richly framed in blue purple
and old gold silk pbsh. The portraits, with
their frames, are i4Xl5 feet in size, and are
tastcfully draped.
pExtcndng around the entire circuit of tho
court under the three galleries, and over the
heads of the p"omenaders, are thick laurel
garlands, testooned III graceful lines. Sim
liar garlnnds are looped and twined above
rich captols of bronzcd Ionic pillars, form
ing with the arches II succession Of clipses.
Directly over the west entrance to tho
building, and high above the parapet of tho
first gallery, in gllttcring colorcd gas let's ia
traced the word Constitution" and higher
still shines a single five pointed star, its
crystal setting rejecting rays from hun
drcd points of light
The faces Of three galleries are almost COM
pletcly covered by rich drapcrcs. On the
front of the lower gallery. and Just above tho
capitols of the pillars, are hung broad
Shields upon which are artisticllly painted
in rich colors the coats of arms of all tho
states of the union. Alternating with these
are miniature steel suits and gilt Roman
armor. In general way this scheme is car
ricd out in the decoration of the front of tho
second and third galleries. On the front of
the second gallery, however, the suits of
armor are full sized and of FURNISHED
silver plate, and on the shields
are represented the arms of all the
nations of the world, each trimmed with tho
flags of the nation represented. The richest
and most striking features OF the gallery
decorations are long lines of silk and satin
gold embroidered banners. These are six
feet in length, and are pendant from gilt
silver ornamentcd stats, attached at acute
angles to the l5O pillars supporting the first
and second galleries These are trimmed
with deep gold fringed and studded with
jewels. Upon each of them is embroidered
i'll gold the coat of arms of one of the leading
nations of tho world, the American colors
alternating with those of other nations.
The decorations of the eight immense
Corinthan columns are in perfect harmony
with their towering proportions Stretching
across the east end of the court is II great
high terraccd conservatory, n scene of
striking floral beauty.
Other striking features of the interior
scene are eight large pamela, upon which ara
represented in floral pictures the executive
departments OF the government. They are
eight by ten feet in dimension, and are sus-
pended at even distances from the front Of
the lower gallery. The state department is
represented by an open book, upon
which are lettered in mmortelles the
words "Department of State" Tho
emblem of the war department is mounted
cannon with pyramid of cannon balls. On
tbn lpDn rtmpnt the Danpl iS n rOmp1nte
model of the United States despatch boat,
Dolphin, perfect in every detail, with her
name on the bow. On the panel of the de-
partment of justice are shown the scales of
justice and an open law book across the
pages of which is the Latin inscription, "t'iat
,Justia." The posJof1ice department is repre-
sented by a mail bag lettered "U. S. M"
and II etter,with post mark dated March
son, Washington, ID. o." On the
treasury department the panel is
representation of large safe
with combination lock carried out in detail.
The interior department is represented by q
log cabin, with stump of a tree into which
an axe has been driven, and the agricultural
department by plow and shcaf of wheat
All of these emblematical designs are in half
relief, and are constructed of only tho
choicest cut flowers.
From the topmost peak of each of the three
sections of the roof of the building, sheer
hundred and fifty feet from the floor, radiate
bunting, alternating with garlands
of evergreen and forming an i'm
mense canopy. From the middle of the
canopy depends the largest and most COM
plete pyrc of floral decoration ever seen. 1t
is a full rigged, three masted ship represent
ing ship of state, thirty feet long and is
perfect model in every detail Tens of thou
sands of choice flowers were used in its con-
structiOn. II is a marvel of graceful beauty
From the center of each of The canopies over
spreading the end sections of the court de-
pcnds floral ball, fifteen feet in diameter, a
mass of of brilliant color ,oai Taken as as
decorations are undoubtedly the richest and
most elaborate ever produced on this conti-
nent.
The rooms set apart for the use of the
presidential party are on the second floor, in
the southwest corner of the building. The
walls are entirely covered with cardinal silk
plush, with bronze and old gold frieze Blue
porticres hung at each of the doors. Tho
window hangings are of the finest lace, and
the carpets and rugs of the richest quality.
The furniture is elegant in design and mate
rails AT the side of the main room stands
tcte-a-tete floral sofa with an overhanging
canopy, upon which are lettcred the words,
'lnauguration, 1889" Diagonally across the
back of the one at the right is traced
in immorteles the word Harrison" and on
the other "Morton." Near by is n crystal
fountain of elaborate and beautiful design,
which ceaselcssly throws up sprays of ex-
quisitc perfume that fill the air with a deli
cate odor. Everywhere are flowers and
tropical foliage plants.
The rooms assigned to the vice presidential
party, diplomatic corps and the reception
committee are scarcely less elegantly fur.
nishcd.
The ball room was crowded when at 10
O'Clock word came that the presidential
party would soon arrive a few minutes
later President Harrison and party reached
the building, escorted by Colonel I3ritton,
chairman Of the executive committee They
were met at the entrance by the reception
committee, headed by General McCammon.
An open passage was formed by the mem
bers of the committee, and through
this lane the party proceeded TO
the stairway reserved for them.
The president took the arm of General Nc
Cannon, and Mrs. Harrison was escorted
by Colonel BrttOn Ihe other members
followed.
The ladies'. shortly after reaching their
rooms, retired TO arrange their toilets, while
General Harrison held reception. The
members of the various inaugural commit
tees a number Of government officers
and quite throng of ladies were
presented to him by General Nc
Cannon. The president was in ex-
cellcnt spirits and pleasantly greeted all
who were introduced chatting for a few
minutes with those with whom he was ac-
nuaibtpl AmnuO nthprs prnspntn1 70 hin,