The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-03-05
INAUGURATION BALL.
The Event More Gorgeous Than Any
CT It's Predecessors.

WASHINGTON, March 4.-By long custom
the inaugural ball has grown to be almost
as much part Of the inaugural ceremonies
of inauguration day as the inaugural
address. 1t is the quadrennial tribute
paid by politics to society. Whatever
changes OF administ- alton may occur, ii
seems that the pension building will be the
national ball room Of the future. President
Clevelaud's first Inauguration and ex-Presi-
dent Harrlson's election were each cele-
brated by the most successful balls held
within this building, but neither OF them
could compare in splendor to the ball
held there Tonight. Much of the
spectacular success OF the affair was doubt
less due TO modern developments in the use
OF electricity, of which fun advantage was
taken. The scene was fairy like. The scent
of flowers, the combined radiance of
myriad electric globes, dainty blending OF
green and gold and white, sparkling
fountains OF tinted water, the perfect
harmony of the musical Instruments, and
what was TO many the most interesting
feature of all, toilets of surprising taste and
ruagniticence, all combined TO make a
spectacle that viii be carried for many
years in the minds Of those who witnessed
It in its fullness. Fancy a chamber nearly
100 yards in length, more than forty yards
in breadth and hfty yards
from the floor to the ceiling,
for such are the dimensions of the great
court OF the pension Office bujlding where
the ball was held.
ARRIVAL OF THE PRESIDENT.
The bail had been in progress for some
time before the presidential party arrived.
Many persons of distinction from all parts
of the country, senator's. representatives
prominent politicians, governors Of
states, officers OF the army and
navy, diplomatists from many ands
and militia officers, all these, with thou.
| sands Of ladies, formed the throng that
| passed through the four great doorways OF
the building and made merry Ia the ball
room. 1t is estimated that ~ 900 people at
! tended the affair, but only small proper
| ton OF these took part in the dancing. The
| throng was too great to admit of the free
| dom of waltz and schottishe and polka
and the pressure about the square
sets was so intense that the jewellers were
| given but little space for their terpsicho-
| reau evolutions. 1t was $40 o'clock when
! MIR. and Mrs Cleveland arrived at the
pension office building, accompanied by q
| retiuue of friends. Without going to the
rooms reserved for them the President
and his wife started on tour
| of the ball room. The President
| led the way on the arm on Gen. Schofield,
while Mrs. Cleveland followed under escort
| VA u uSAACG Oi6S Ia b4AS COuEbs TUT
! lowing them came Col. and Mrs. Daniel s.
Lamont, Mr.. and Mrs. Wilson ). BisseIl
| with their daug hters-in-law; Hokt
| Smith, MIR. and Mrs. j. Sterling Morton,
Mr. aud Mrs. Richard Watson Glider Mr..
| and Mrs. E. G. Benedict, Miss Benedict and
| a number OF Others. As the party entered
the Marine band, at signal from the door
| way, started up with Hail TO the Chief,
| and this familiar air was the first intima-
ton given majority of the people p present
that the guests of the evening had arrived
| There was a crowdiug forward Of tho e
| in the center, toward the sides of the room,
| and particu arly toward the west, or Fifth
| street entrance, through which the presi
| Dental party had tered. The greatest
interest was manifested in Mrs. Cleveland
! and hundreds of women We'd with each
| other in getting to the front % the line
! where they might catch a good glimpse
| of her face.
A few minutes only were consumed In
| the circuit of the ball and then Mr. and
| Mrs Cleveland and their party went up
| stairs to their apartments and there re-
| ceived a large number Of prominent per-
sons, including senators, representatives
foreign ministers aud officers of the army
and navy. The Secretary of The
Navy, Mr.. Herbert, there Joined
| the party with Miss Herbert
The vice presidential party arrived at II
! o'clock and q circuit of the hall was made
| in manner similar to that of the presiden
tial party. Mr.. and Mrs. Stevenson, witt
their son and daughters and their friend
| who accompanied them to Washington
then joined the President and Mrs. Cleve-
land in their rooms. There was nj
applause while the presidential psrty anC
| vice presidential contingent we're making
their tour of the hall, but subdued muir
! muir that betokened an enthusiastic feeling
! followed. The ball room was 30 Gro wded
| by the tho Isands of persons that there were
no incidents worthy Of note
! Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland left
| the ball room at 1880 o'clock
| Their departure was made so quietly that
! but few people were aware of it and great
multitude gathered about the stairway lead
ing to the presidential apartment and re-
manned there for some time after the Presi-
! dent aud his wife had left the hall
The Stevenson family remained some what
| later, as did also several members OF
| the party who come with the Clevelands
/ Mr.. Carlisle was one of those who remained
and he and Mrs. Carlisle held several i'm.
| promptu receptions in various parts of the
ball. Precisely at IL o'clock the band struck
| up Home, Sweet Home" and the assem-
blage quietly dispersed. The whole pro-
ceedtn9s were marked by staid and stately
! decOrum more characteristic of minuei
| than OF modern ball.
GRESHAM ARRIVES.
WASHINGTON, March 4.-Walter @
Gresham reached Washington this after.
noon and ia registered at the Arlington
! hotel. All the members Of the new cabinet
! are now in the city and will be ready t
! take the oath Of office as coon as their name.
| have been transmitted TO the Senate ant
receive the approval Of that body.