The Progress., 1893-03-04

At the capitol another crowd is always
present watching the decoration of the huge
platform which has been built in front OF
the rotunda 1t is from this platform that
the president is to deliver his inaugural adj
dress. Probably the grandest audience ever
faced by an American is that which Will as
semble at this spot next Saturday There
will be on the platform behind Mr.. Cleve-
land all the dignitaries of the government,
congress, the supreme and other courts, the
diplomatic representatives at this capital,
the army and navy and thousands of dis
tinguished men from all parts of the coun
trv-in front literally hundreds of thou
sands of the Drawn and sinew of the land.
While these inauguration occasions are
made great events, involving months OF
hard work and the expenditure of untold
thousands of dollars, officially an American
coronation is a very simple thing. The
most important part of the ceremonies is
that which takes place at the capitol at
noon. The Fifty-second congress will be in
session till almost noon. Very likely the
hands of the clocks in the two houses will
be moved backward in order to steal few
moments in which to finish up some impor-
tant legislation. Then the president and
his cabinet, the president elect and vice
president elect, having been escorted to the
capitol by detachment of police and mill
tary, the president elect being also guarded
by detectives in citizens clothing. will as
semble in the senate chamber There both
houses of congress and the other great peo-
pie will be waiting more or less patiently.
After everybody has been seated and the
necks of the spectators have been nearly
twisted out of joint in the process of catch
! ing glimpse of the big men of the nation,
it will take the retiring vice president about
two minutes to administer the oath of of
| flee to his successor and to declare the Fifty
second congress adjourned without day.
The new vice president will announce the
call of an extra session of the senate, and
that body will meet at once, simply for the
purpose of administering oaths to the new
senators who may be present.
A recess is then taken, and mighty pro
! cession moves out the doors of the chamber
through the rotunda to the platform al
ready spoken Of There the oath of office is
administered to the new president by the
chief justice of the supreme court, and tht
inaugural address delivered. Eight years
ago Mr.. Cleveland stood on this platform
facing spring sun Four years ago Mr.
Harrison stood in pelting storm of rain
In the betting odds are always on having a
stormy 4th of March, but Cleveland's luck
may again save him drenching So fal
as the Inauguration of the president Is con
cerned the taking of the oath and the Gus
tomary address are ali there is of the Off
cial ceremony but it is no sooner over thar
the real show of the day-the great parade
down the avenue-begins.
This year the parade is to be monster
Among the interesting features is to be tn,
presence Of a large company of young
women from Prince George county, Md.
mounted. There are no better horsewomeI
in the world than these young girls OF NJ airy
land and Virginia, in the neighborhood d
the capital. ROBERT GRAVES.