The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1893-03-09
THE GREAT BALL.
Fairy-Like Scene in the Pension
Building.
The Combined Radiance Of Myriad
Colored Electrical Globes
Conspired to Produce Never-to-be-For-
gotten Picture--Flowers and flants
Here and here and Everywhere
TheAmerican Flag Conspicuous.


WASHINGTON, March 6.-By long custom the
inaugural bail has grown to be almost as much
q part of the ceremonies of the inauguration day
as the inaugural address. 1t is the inaugural
tribute by politicians 10 society. There have
been but two intermissons in the series OF IN
augural balls to commemorate the accession OF
a newly elected president since the days OF
Madison, that covers period Of eighty-four
years
Whatever changes Of administration NAV oc'
cur, it seems likely that the pension building
will be The national ballroom OF the future.
Cleveland's first inauguration and Harrlsons
election were each attended by most successful
balls held within this building, but neither OF
them could compare in splcndor to the ball
held there Saturday night Much Of the spec
tao lar splcndor was doubtless due to mod
ern evtlopments in the use OF electricity, OF
which full advantage was taken. The scene
was fairy-like. The scent Of flowers, the COM
b;ned radiance of myriad electric globes, the
dainty blending of green and gold and white,
sparkling fountains Of tinted water, perfect
harmony of musical instruments and, what was
TO many the most interesting feature of all
toilets of SURPRISING magnitcence-all COM
bined to make a spectacle that will be carried
for many years in the minds of those who wit
messed it in its fullness.
Fancy chamber Of nearly one hundred
yards in length, more than forty yards in
breadth and more han fifty yards from floor TO
ceiling-for such are the dimensions Of the
great court of the pension Office building, where
the ball was held. Eighty feet from the floor
tire framework of the roof, supported by eight
pillars, massive in size, wrapped round
and round in artistic fashion, with bunt-
ing and ivy and smlax, and studded with
numerous electric lights In globes Of
various colors. Three broad galleries range
on all sides of the spacious court, the first
txun ~ foot frop no hal
ported by many slender columns Of polished
granite, aad the balcony railing capped by huge
vases But the shining surface Of the columns
and the bronzed vases are hidden in the masses
Of floral ecoration-the one covered by hang
ing strings of smilax and similar pendants; the
other filled with growing palms, gli,tering with
thousands Of electric beams. Similar treat
ment is accorded the supports and cappings OF
the two upper galleries.
White, gold and red are draped about the
walls of the entire interior. Wherever the eye
wandcrs, these three colors predominate with
jus enough of floral green to make pleasing
effect. The ceiling, hundred and fifty feet
above the throng, is a mass Of white and gold,
magnificent piece Of workmanship that ELECTED
admiration from all beholders Ten thou
send yards Of material were consumed
in draping the vast canopy The stars
and stripes are everywhere--on pillars,
on walls and in the waiting. rooms. The
tower gallery is covered with plush Of purest
white gold embroidered and gold fringed,
forming background for American flags and
banners, while in the center OF the plush di.
rectly above, midway in the arches between
the supporting pillars, are emblems Of chiv
airy, shields Of bronze and steel, highly pol
ished over suits OF armor, with-the spear in
the usual position. floral piece is over each
Of the pillars supporting the first gallery. On
the gallery walls are silk banners representing
the forty-four states
"a " fn6 q larl
to the first with floral pieces above each col
umn, vases fairly overhowing with roses and
other flowers, while the sides were covered with
national and state escutcheons, alternating
Foreign governments were complimented
IN The decorations OF the highest gal
lery, which embraced hags OF all nations
ana, OF course the national coat OF arms
Flowers and growing plants were everywhere.
About the pillars, covering the music stands,
over the arches; In the center was fountain
OF splashing water, translucent in the rays of
electric lights OF many colors The fountain
is surrounded by growing plants, flowers and