The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-02-28

columns supporting the galleries is draped
with smilax and bears a large national
banner of satin with the coat Of arms
embroidered upon it.
PICTURES WROUGHT IN FLOWERS.
Suspended from the lower gallery is n
series OF panels. five feet by ten feet. made
entirely of choice flowers, a panel being
devoted to each department of atate, upon
which is wrought. in half relief. some
suitable device. The Navy Department
bears upon floral background man. of
war the Department of the Interior, a
pioneer scene representing log cabin, a
newly felled tree, a pillow and sheaf of
grain the Postoiiice Department, mail
bag and an envelope duly stamped. posts
marked and addressed in flowing hand
to benjamin Harrison, Washington. D.
| c." Over each panel Is the name of the
| department it symbolizes and quill of
flowers. About the upper gallery are
vases alternating with the columns. filled
with rare palms.
Each entrance to the ballroom floor be-
tween the columns is festooned with
American flags and other suitable orna-
ments, aud at each end of the room are
suspended huge globes of flowers fifteen
feet in diameter, around which are in
scribed the words, Inaugural Ball. 80. "
These globes are arranged to open in the
centre, and by means of wires manipulated |
by the men stationed below, on either side |
as the presidential party passes beneath, |
the fragrant hemispheres part. and a |
shower of blossoms strew the path of the |
newly installed chief ruler and his suite. |
From the great dome hangs three. masted I
ship of flowers, thirty feet loug-the Ship
of State-fulled rugged.
Immense Oil portraits of President Har-
rison and Vice President Morton. each |
fifteen feet high, mounted with American
flags on plush and gold frames, are con-.
spicuous features.
When the visitor has had time to take
in all this magnifcence his inner man will
probably be claiming his attention and he
will be thinking of supper. This impor
tant part of the arrangements has been
entrusted TO Mr.. Geo. G. Boldt, of Phila-
delphia.
PREPARATIONS FOR TILE THRONG.
The hospitality of Washington is pro-
verbal and its capacity to provide for an
unlimited number of guests has been re-
peatedly shown. But it takes an occa-
sion Of this sort to fully demonstrate the
public splritedness Of its citizens. Fully
100000 visitors are expected here on the
4ti Of March. and it seems to be the firm
determination Of those connected with
the inang uration that not one Of all their
guests shall have cause to complain Of
their treatment while within the city's
gates. 10 prevent any extortion in the
matters Of food or lodging. which is usu-
ally the bane of occasions of this kind, a
Public Comfort Committee has been Or
gained. Here is kept a large book form.
ing register of rooms or halls TO rent and
roster Of restaurants. The location of
the house, name of owner, number of beds \
that can be hired, with remarks as to
whether the rooms are provided with heat
or not, together with the terms asked, are
all noted in this book.
AS SOOIl DIS tDS OHucI uutiS DIS IUUuS W
the committee a competent representative
is sent to the quarters to ascertain their
condition, and whether the price asked is
reasonable. Everything being satisfactory, |
applicants from a distance are placed in |
communication with the owners of rooms |
likely to suit them and quarters are Sc
cured. About 40. 600 people have already |
been accommodated ia this way. But the
work of the comm ttee does not end here.
For three or four days preceding the in
auguration the committee will establish |
offices at each of the railroad depots with |
corps of clerks and a large staff of mes.
senger boys. AS the trains come in the |
strangers who have already. through the |
committee, engaged rooms in the city are
given in charge of q messenger and es. |
corted to their boarding place. Those who |
have not written ahead and secured ac-
Communications are recommended to suit |
able places and accompanied there by boys,
SO that there is 10 reason in the world why
everybody should not Ls made perfectly |
comfortable during their stay.