Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-03-06

1903, at w dSu1nRtOu, OpouOO UaTk anu
gloomy, the rain which began on Sun
day continuing through the night and
early morning hours. The result was
that the decorations on the principal
streets, which were extremely extern
sive and elaborate, and which repre-
sented an outlay of large amount of
money and time by the committee in
charge of that branch of the inaugural
ceremonies, was, to say the least, not all
that fancy painted it. In cases
where the material used was
not of q washable character the
brilliant blues and reds were blended
more compactly, though less harmo-
niously than was intended by designers.
For two weeks or more the city had
been the center of observation from all
parts of the country, and during the two
days previous sight-seers had been ar
irving by thousands. Trains from all
directions were loaded with military
and civic organizations and common
people, all bent upon taking part in the
festivities, either as active participants
or as spectators. Every room at the
hotels was engaged four weeks in adj
vance, and by Saturday night the board
ing houses were also packed with guests.
Cots were brought out from their hid
ing places and every inch of space was
utilized. Even private domiciles were
invaded, many householders placing al
most their entire dwellings at the dis
posal of the committee on accommoda-
tions and public comfort. On the morn
ing of Monday new influx began, COM
posed of the people of neighboring
cities together with many from a dis
lance who had the foresight to get
good nights rest either on the cars or at
Baltimore. 1t was estimated that the
population of 100000 was more than
trebled.
ALI reports agree that Washington
was never more. profusely or more
tasteiully decorated on any occasion,
and even the twenty-four hours of
steady rain was sufficient only to dim
but not to eclipse the gorgeous effect
Of course Pennsylvania Avenue was the
most deliberately trimmed. There were
few houses along the avenue, from the
capitol to the treasury, not arrayed in
holiday attire. The hotels, and other
buildings of public character were orna-
mented with lavishness never before
equalled, while from every window and
cornice of the business places and
shops, the national colors were
displayed in steamers. banners,
flags and lines of beauty. Here
the decorator achieved his perfect work.
Where all of the bunting came from is
a mystery. 1t waved from lofty poles
in banners of imperial size; it dangIed
from slender ropes and wires, and thou
sands of little triangles and pieces of
fantastic shape: it ran out like the con-
volutions of the giant creepers across
the vast expanses or brick, and overy-
thing it touched It glorifed. Viewed
from the eminence of Capitol Hill,
the general effect was as if the spec
tator looked into some giant kaleido-
scope, SO warm and rich and full of
prismatlc coloring was the scene
Of all the squares on the route, those
along Pennsylvania Avenue, between
Seventh and Thirteenth Streets, showed
the most elaborate decorations. Here
are grouped number OF the largest
business houses in the city, and they
honored the day with proper hberality.
Among the many unique effects pro-
duced was at the treasury building.
Signal flags were here used to carry out
a pretty conceit, and supplement the
handsome decorations of the State, War
and Navy Department building. Drop
ping from the tip of the great time ball
staff TO the four corners of the central
tower on the eastern side, they were
arranged in order SO as to spell out to
the initiated ''The President Will Ar
rive at IL, Meridian;" Salute the Presi-
facade of the Metropolitan Hotel was
divided into triangles by long lines of
bunting. Pictures of Washington and
the Goddess Of Liberty adorned its
front, and over the entrance rose
great arch bearing blazing eagle, sur
rounded by the inscription: "Wel-
come, President Harrison" On the
front of the old National Hotel, pretty
half rosettes "a general teature) mad e
of bright flags caught up on edge
wrapped every one of the numerous
windows. while here also the national
bird appeared above the national coat
of arms. Across the way.the st. James.
newly painted, showed what might be
red, white and blue, and with a sky
line made up of little streamers of fan
tastic colors and designs woven between
its fagstaffs.
Owing the rain but small crowd sur
rounded the Arlington Hotel during the
forenoon, and when the carriages ar
rived there only party of reporters
were present to see the actual departure
of the president-elect and party. At 10
o'clock the carriages provided by the
inaugural committee to convey the party
10 the caplUOl drew up IN front OF the
johnson annex entrance. A few min
utes later Vice-president Morton,
clad in heavy ulsteS coat and wearing
high hat emerged from the
house escorted by Ex-Solicitor of the
Navy Department Gen. Williams, and
entered carriage. Behind him came
Mrs. Morton on the arm of Lieut. J. +.
Parker, U. s. N. and entered the car
riage with her husband. At 1915
O'Clock large carriage, very similar to
the one used by President Cleveland,
drawn by two beautiful bays, drove up
to the sidewalk Tor Gen. and Mrs. Har-
rison. A few minutes later the General
and Mrs. Harrison, Mrs. Mckee, Mrs.
Lord, Mrs. Halford and Mrs. Russell
Harrison and the other members of the
party, descended the staircase leading
from their private apartments to the
hall below. The Senate committee in
charge of the inaugural ceremonies, con-
sisting of Senators Cullum, Hoar and
Cockrell, then advanced to escort the
party to their carriages. When they
were seated there was no delay, and ali
the carriaaes Immediately drove off.