Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-03-04
LANES A. GARFIEI.l

JAMES A. FAIRFIELD.
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, Gen W. t. 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 ball was
held In the National museum, one of the r nd
soonest buildings in the country, desi sd in
the form Of a Greek cross, and was the frst
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
Msssrs. Evarts, Schurz, Maynard, Breckin-
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
It is estimated TINT osO Opo ,>a,.-a,- S.z.-
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 q can
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 ID and Sd OF March were left to shift
for themselves How they shifted is still
matter of amusement to the Washingtonians
They slept in Railways and cellars and in the
public parks
The morning of the Inauguration wa.
warm, fragrant and spring like. The streets
were thronged as early as 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 great
shout, that swelled into adeafening roar from
one end of the avenue to the other, announced
that the procession had started. Peunsy,.
wanna avenue is the widest thoroughfare in
the world 1t is paved with asphalt las ore
all the streets Of Washington and is I'm.
equaled for procession. Down this avenue
swept the noblest procession seen in the CAM.
tai since the grand review of the army in 1865
The procession is led by regiment OF
United States regulars, followed by the cele.
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 given point, but the enthusiasm
does not diminish.
Meanwhile the presidential party ha,
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 q solid mass,
stood 25o, 600 people
The president delivered his inaugural ad.
dress In 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: II swear,n 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.