Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-03-05
The INAUGURATION BALL.
a Fairy-Land Made Reai-Also n Crush
Mrs Cleveland.

WASHINGTON. March 4.-By long custom
the inaugural ball has grown to be almost
as much q part of the regular ceremonies
of inaugurstion-day az the inaugural ad,
dress. 1t is the quadrennial tribute paid
BIZ politics TO society.
Whatever changes Of administration may
occur. it seems likely that the. Pension
building will be the national ballroom or
the future. Cievelauds first Inauguration
and Harrison's election were each ceie-
brated by most successful balls held with
in this building. but neither OF them could
compare ia spcndor with the ball heiu
there tonight. Much of the spectacular
success of the affair was doubtless due 10
modern developments in the use OF cleo
tricity, OF which full advantage was taken.
Tug SCENE FAIRY-LIET.
The scene was fairy-lIke. The scent of
flowers, the combined radiance of myriad
electric globes, the dainty blending OF
green and gold and white, sparkling foun.c
tains of tinted water, perfect harmony OF
musical instruments, aud what was 10
many the most interesting feature OF
all-toilets of surprising taste and
magnlGcence-all combined TO make
q spectacle that Will be carried
for many wears in the minds of those who
witnessed il in its fulness. Fancy q
chamber nearly one hundred yards IN
Ienpth. more than forty yards in breadth,
and fifty yards from floor TO ceillng-tor
such are the dimensions of the great court
| OF the Pension-Office building, where the
| bail was held.
A BRILLIANT COMPANY.
The ball had been III progress for some
tune before the presidential party arrived.
| Many persons of distinction from all parts
Of the country. Senators, Representatives.
prominent politicians, Governors Of States.
officers of the army and navy, diplomats
from many lands, militia ,oihcers-ali
these. with thousands OF ladies, formed
the throng that passed through the four
great doorways of the building and made
merry in the ballroom. 1t is estimated
that ~ goo people attended the affair, but
only small portion OF these took part in
the dancing. .
The throng was too great 10 admit OF
freedom in the waltz and schottsche ana
polka, and the pressure about the square
sets was so intense that the Jewellers were
left but little space for their terpsichorean
| evolutlOn5.
THE PRESIDENTIAL PARTY.
II was twenty minutes to 10 O'Clock when
| Mr.. and Mrs. Cleveland arrived a. the
Pension Office building. accompanied by
n retinue OF friends. Without gong to
| fine rooms reserved for them, the Presi-
dent and his wife started on tour OF
| tine ballroom. The President led the
way on The arm OF General Scho-
| field. while Mrs. Cleveland followed un-
! der escort OF Justice Gray. of the Supreme
| Court. Following them came Colonel
| and Mrs. Daniel :. Lamont, Mr. and Mrs.
Wilson :. Bissell, Mr.. and Mrs. Hoke
! Smith, Mr.. and Mrs. >. Sterling Morton
! MIR. and Mrs. Richard Watson Glider, Mr..
and Mrs. T.. g. Benedict, Miss Benedict,
ond a number Of others. As the party en-
tered the Marine Band, az signal from
| the doorway, started up with Hail TO the
Chief" and this familiar cir was the nrst
| intlmation given q majority OF the people
present that the guests OF the evening had
arrived.
INTEREST IN MRS. CLEVELAND.
There was crowding forward Of those
| in the centre towards the sides OK the
room, aud particularly towards the west
or Fifth-street entrance, through which
the presidential party had ente7ed. The
greatest interest was manifested In Mrs
| Cleveland. and hundreds OF women wee
with each other III getting TO the front o.
the line, where they might eaten gooc
| glimpse or her face.
A few minutes only were consumed IL
the circuit OF rho ballroom. and then MIR.
and Mrs. Cleveland and their party wen
upstairs 20 their apartments, and there re
ceiyed large number OF prominent per
sons. including Senators. Representatives
foreign ministers and officers OF the army
and navy. The coming Secretary OF tn
Navy. Mr. Herbert, there joined the party
with Miss Herbert.
PARTY vIcs-PREsIpENTrAL.
The vice-presidential party arrived a
the hour of 10, and circuit OF the hal
was made in q manner similar TO that
the presidential party.
Mr.. and Mrs. Stevenson. with their sol
and daughters and the friends who &C
companied them to Washington, thei
Joined the President and Mrs. Cleyelan'
in their rooms.
There was no applause while the presl
dental party and the yice-presidential con
tingent were making their tour Of the ball
but q subdued murmur that betokene'
enthusiastic admiration followed them.
The ballroom was so congested by III
thousands of people that there were no IL
cldents worthy Of note.
THE cLyvELASps STEAL AWAY.
Mr.. and Mrs. Cleveland left the bal
room at half-past 10 o'clock. Their d'
parture was made so quietly that but fe'
people were aware OF il. and a great multi
tude gathered about the stairway leadin
10 tho presidential apartments and n
NAMED there for some time after the Pres
dent aud bis wife bad left the ball.
The Stevenson family remained sorns
what later, as did also several members z
the party who came with the Cleveland
Sir. Carlisle was one of those who. n
mained, and he and Mrs. Carlisle hel
several impromptu receptions IN variou
parts of the hall.
Precisely at IA O'Clock the band struc
mn "aome, Sweet Home and the Assem-
biage quietly dispersed. Tho whole pro
ceedings were marked by staid and STATE
ly decorum more characteristics OF an ~