The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1893-03-11
The Inaugural Hall,

When the leader Of the famous Marine rand
lifted his baton at $50 o'clock and gave the
signal for the grand march Of the Cleveland in
augural ball to begin. it was undoubtedly the
most deliberately decorated ballroom the
world has ever seen. The thousands OF per-
sons On the vast floor space added 70
the life and briiliancy Of the scene and gave .
kaleidoscope eject TO the general ensemble
that can never Re forgotten by those who were
present to behold the striking spectacle
The majestic central hail OF tine otherwise
untnteresting pension building created by the
late Gen Meigs. was placed at the disposal OF
the national authorities for = ballroom, the
equal Of which would lie hard 10 find anywhere
Whatever changes OF administration may o.
cur. 1t seems likely that the pension building
will be the national Lali-room Of the
future. Cleyeiand's Inauguration. aud also
Harrisons s. were celebrated La this building.
The scene was fairy-lik The scent OF flowers
the combined radienee Of myriad electric
globes. the dainty blending OF green and gold
and white, sparkling fountains perfect har.
nony OF musical Instruments which was to
many unsurpassed in taste. will he carried for
many years in the minds Of those who wit
messed 1t. Fancy chamber nearly 100 yards
in length more than forty yards In breadth
and hfty yards fEom noor 10 ceiling for such
are the dim ensions Of the court OF the pen.
sian ONCE building where the bali was
held The broad galleries range on all
sides OF the spacid6s court. the first twenty
feet or 30 from the ballroom floor supported
by many slender columns Of polished granite.
and the balcony railing capped BY huge vases
But the shining surface Of the columns and
the bronzed coating CT The vases hidden In the
masses OF floral decoration, the one covered BY
hanging strings Of smilax and similar pendants;
the other filed with growing palms. gl.tterins
with thousands Of electric beams Similar
treatment Is accorded the supports and CAD
pings Of the two upper galleries.
White. gold and red are draped about the
walls Of the interior. Flowers and growing
plants are everywhere about the pillars cover.
ing the music stands over the arches. In the
center OF the court is fountain Of playing
water. Two great arches. each sixty-f1ve feet
in height. are on either side OF the court. while
just in front Of. and surrounding them are the
stands for the musicians. The arches are the
browning feature Of the room. From the top
Of one the magic name "Cleveland'' blazes in
electricity. from the other Stevenson" shines
The bali had tcen in progress for some time
before the presidential party arrived. Many
persons OF distinction from all parts Of the
country formed the throng that passed through
the four great doorways OF the building and
made merry In the tall room. 1t Is estimated
that 200 people attended the ball but only
small proportion Of these took part In the
dancing. tA'tf
The throng was too great to admit OF freedom
in the waltz and shottisehe and polka and the
pressure about the square sets was 90 intense
that jewellers were given but little space for
their eyolutions. Mr.. Il. b. Hay. chairman Of
the COMMITTEES on inaugural ball and prone.
made. was floor manager. and each Of the twelve
sections into which he divided the ball room
was In charge OF an assistant. Chairman Hay
hn Hrnh