The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1889-03-08

| Suhoi anu very EMBARRASSING CIRCUMSTANCES
1t was not even known until the I'd Of March
who would he the principal figure, as thepr
ceedings in the electoral commission and in
congress were concluded on that day. As the
4th of March fell upon Sunday, the public
ceremonies took place upon the 9th. They
were marked, except in the military display,
by severe simplicity amounting to plain
ness. The foreign diplomatic corps alone ap-
peared in uniforms and decorations Except
for few soldiers uniforms, there was not q
badge or decoration about any Of the Ameri-
cans taking part. The crowd was not 50
large as at the first Inauguration of President
Grant. He and Senator Morrill,, chairman
of the senate committee of arrange
ments, rode in the carriage with the
president-elect, and after the officers, as be-
fore Before the presidents carriage were
the Washington light guards and battery
of light artillery; behind them regulars,
militia and volunteers as before At least
| $4,000 people were in front of the Capitol
Vice President Wheeler was sworn in in the
senate, as before The officials, their ladies and
ladies of the diplomatic corps, supreme court
judges, foreign ministers and others were
seated on the platform, east front. Gen Grant,
arm In arm with President-elect Hayes, pre-
ceded'by the clerk Of the supreme court, with
a Bible, advanced to the front amid hearty
cheering. President Hayes delivered bis
inaugural address and pronounced the oath
of Office after Chief Waite.
JAMES A. GARFIELD.
The day of President James A. Garfield,s
inauguration, March 4, 1881, was Indictment.
Rain in the morning, sleet and snow as the
day advanced and mud everywhere and all
day cast gloom over the people. But the
pageant was not wholly spoiled and the crowd
was large. The procession moved at half past
10, Cen W. I. Sherman, with a brilliant
staff, leading the way. After him came the
military under Gen. Ayres, then the incom-
ing and outgoing presidents in a four horse
barouche, with gorgeously uniformed cavalry
before and behind, and after them the usual
array OF militia and civic societies. The
usual civilians and officials occupied the plat
form at the east front of the Capitol The
inaugural address was read with remarkable
force and effect and excited much emotion
among the people. The inaugural bah was
held in the National museum, one Of the hand
soonest buildings in the country, designed in
the form Of Greek cross, and was the first
ball of the kind to attract universal attention.
Five thousand holders of tickets were ad-
mitted President Garfield, in full evening
costume, received with dignity, supported by
Messrs Evarts, Schurz, Maynard, Breclin-
ridge, Hazen, Chief Justice Waite and others.
The brilliancy of dress displayed attracted
universal attention.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
The Inauguration Of Grover Cleveland sur
passed all previous ones For a week before
March the two Washington depots were
crowded with people night and day.
1t is estimated that 100000 persons from
other places were present. How to accom-
modate them had been one of the problems
for the Inauguration committee, who ap-
pointed several hundred men to make cam
vass of the householders who had room to
spare and would be willing to receive one or
more of the tourists
In spite of the precautions all the available
space was occupied two days before the in
auguration, and the thousands who arrived
on the I'd and Sd Of March were left to shift
for themselves How they shifted Is stun
matter Of amusement to the Neutrality-suspicious..
They slept in Railways and cellars and in the
public parks.
The morning Of the Inauguration was
warm, fragrant and spring like. The streets
were thronged as early as o O'Clock, and soon
was heard the tramp Of regiments marching
to the place of formation. By 10 O'Clock there
were three hundred thousand people lining
Pennsylvania avenue. At half past Ii a great
shout, that swelled into adeafening roar from
one end Of the avenue to the other, announced
that the procession had started Pennsyi-
vania avenue is the widest thoroughfare in
the world 1t is paved with asphnl: las are
all the streets of Washington, and Is un-
equaled for a procession. Down this avenue
swept the noblest procession seen in the capt.
tai since the grand review Of the army in 1855
The procession is led by regiment Of
United States regulars, followed by the csle-
brated United States Marine band Of one
hundred pieces, whose grand martial music
browns all other sounds Then follows the
carriage in which sit President Arthur,
President-elect Cleveland and Vice President
elect Hendricks. After the presidential
carriage has passed come the troops, in every
kind of uniform This procession is six hours
passing a given point, but the enthusiasm
does not diminish.
Meanwhile the presidential party has
reached the platform at the eastern end of
the Capitol The platform is 100 feet wide,
the largest ever built for the purpose In
front Of the Capitol, banked in solid mass,
stood $4,000 people
The president delivered his inaugural adj
dress in a clear, resonant voice, from MEM
DRY, making only an occasional reference
to the notes in his hand, and then Chief
Justice Waite administered the oath 'of
office. Cleveland said: ~ swear" then
paused and kissed the Bible-a small, leather
bound, well worn volume, which had been
given to him by his mother when he was q
boy.
AT the Washington monument was given
that evening the greatest display Of fireworks
ever made in America.
Then the crowd makes a rush for the great
pension Office building, where the inaugura-
ton ball is to be held. One hundred thousand
people surround the building and watch the
fortunate ten thousand who are able to enter.
The ball room is the largest ever used for
presidential fete. There is waxed floor sic