New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-13
GOSSIP AT THE CAPITAL.
FOR THE lNAO"0 NAL
BALL.
<vAsT AMOUNT OF WORK iNNoiNEp-of'i'' '
TO HAVING; IT IN THE NEW LiE''Ai''
uow A ROOSTER HELPED Az
MInAI. JovErT-METEOFo-
LOGICAL WORK.


LOGICAL. WORK.
wasbipgtor Dec 1.-THE inaugural bail Is
an occasion of great pride to the Pe"ie VI
Washington Mr. Hannas visit, therefore, ID
man out the plan for IL and appoint us oii'r''
n Of especial interest and his sayings an" Wv
ings are minuiely chronicled and commences VII
BY the local press. His first se'e'''oh VI
chairman for the inaugural committee oau'e'
Q tempest in a teapot. The Gniy possip'e o"J''
tion to Mr.. Woodward, who is an aeieea"'e anu
popular man, fitted in every way TO Ill sue"
position was that he was Democrat. ih'S ""'
strenuously and bitterly urged. and there was
unconccaled ard universal rejoicing when ne re-
fused 10 serve and Charles J. Bell was appoint
ed In his stead.
Mr.. Bell is q local banker OF Importance oo'''
I'm n social and business way; the cousin OF
Professor Alexander Graham Bell and the SON
in.law Of Gardiner c.. Hubbard. He is man
of wealth of standing, Of acknowledged en-
ecutive ability, and his appointment Is "ioeN
commended. The craftsmanship OF the inaus
raj committee is no sinecure FROM no" oi' UNI"
March 1t means incessant work. with corps Oh
clerks and a number Of hard working committees
to help Mr. Bell appointed OF ~ on MOI
day. and on Tuesday he began the naming OF
the chairmen of the various committees. Be
fore he is through with making up these COM
mitttees hardly name of the influential men
Of Washington will be missing from the list.
Since President Garlields inauguration. 1t has
been the custom to hold the inaugural paiis ID
the Pension Office. which is admirably arranged
for the purpose. Indeed. if 1t had been pullt
with this end in view it could not be more
convenient n more complete in its arrange
ments for an occasion of this character
great court occupies the middle of the building
about this are grouped the offices. which serve
on the night Of the ball for cloak and supper
rooms The reception is held in the court
which is rooted in. and has more hoof space
than any other building in town. and It's high
walls afford fine opportunity for magnihceh'
display Of bunting and decorations There are
snv number of entrances making the ngress
and egress Of enormous crowds simple mat
ter.
The ball at the second inauguration OF Presi-
dent Grant was memorable one. 1t was held
in a Temporary structure. built for the OCCASION
on the ground where the Pension Office now
stands The night bitter the thermometer
fell below zero. and the arrangements for heat
ing inadequate Champagne froze in the glasses
women covered up their ball dresses with fur
cloaks and men danced in their overcoats. 1t
was too cold even for the musicians to play;
too depressing to indulge in dancing. The result
OF this bad management was a number of cases
of pneumonia. many of which were fatal.
There have been no such unfortunate "ondi
lions since the Pension Office has been used for
this purpose. 1t is perfectly ventilated and ad-
mirably adapted in every other way. but this
year there seems to be sentiment among some
of those in authority against giving the ball
there and the new Library building is spoken or
In this connection. The Library building is. of
han, ff,,i and yhi
things that recommend il for the scene Of a
grand ball. 1t would be difficult. in fact to find
a building less conveniently arranged for such
purpose. From the street to the main reading
room. which would be used for the reception.
there is only entrance. and 1t would be i'm
possible to manage the entrance and exit OF the
great crowds an Inauguration calls out. raised
platform in the centre Of the reading room would
prevent dancing there. and there is no other room
of sufficient size that could be devoted to this
use.
These some Of the objections but the prn-
cipal and most convincing argument that has
hem advanced one that should do away with
any further consideration of the subject. Is that
the building would be harmed and defaCed. There
IS no possible way of guarding against this, and 1t
is not improbable that souvenir-hunters would
carry away splinters Of wood and chips OF mar
ble for the mark Of their sacr!egious hands is on
every public building In the city
II would be unfortunate. too. to have the build
ing closed to the public for even a day at the
time of the inauguration. Every one who visits
here then should have All opportunity to see what
is generally conceded to be one Of tn" finest pub
lie buildings in the country. and to receive the
educational benefit Of such visit. II the ball Is
held there the building would be closed on
March 4. the day before and the day fol-
wi h
men that il would be impossible to and proper
Nv appreciate it's interior The Joint committee
of Congress having the library matters in charge
are fortunately, unanimously opposed to the use
Of the Library building for the ball, and 1t is
believed they will have authority to forbid it,
Admiral Jouett insists upon II that the Bib!i-
cal rooster is not the only historic chanticleer'
for through the ambitious growing of a cock he
succeeded in capturing fine prize. The story Is
one he is very partial TO. and it gains nucn
from his picturesque way of telling 1t. In the
early days of the war Admiral Jouett. then lieu
tenant was in command Of the Montgomery
an Old sea monster Of a merchantmen converted
into man of-war. which. like the Mary Dunn
OF Dover. had three decks and no bottom. Her
battery was poor and the Chase gun. ten-inch
columbiad. had been condemned years before
The powder was wet ana the FUSES Vi '"e s"e"'
were defective.
This vessel was cruising off the coast OF Louisi-
ana. out Of sigh. Of land. awaiting the supply
steamer from the North. Lieutenant Jouett had
only recently recovered from the severe wound ne
had received in his brilliant capture OF the
ROYAL Yacht which had won him promotion
and a command worthy Of his gallantry There
was little to eat board ship. and nothing to
do Running through dense fog one morning
about 4 o'clock. Lieutenant Jouett was walking
up and down the deck with the omcer OF 'he
bo I'd In