The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-05
The PRINCIPAL FIGURES.
Mrs. Cleveland Could Not Bid The Ex-
President Goodbye.
DELAYED BY The CAPITOL LUNCHEON
sons of Former Presidents Receive Much
AppInuse-Mr. OIney's Absence Attracts
Considerable Attsntion-some
of the Noted Men.

was 1920 o'clock when Major Mckinney,
accompanied by Senator's Sherman and
Mitchell. arrived at the White House.
When they entered the Blue Room no.
body was there to receive them Presi-
dent Cleveland was busily engaged up
stairs. putting his signature to bills ana
joint resolutions.
Meanwhile, members Of the Cabinet
walked in to greet the incoming Execu-
tive. and there was q pleasant exchange
of courtesies. But the wait was mucn
longer than anybody expected. IL was
exactly half an hour after the President
elect entered the Blue Room before MT.
Cleveland came down stairs TO greet MN.
They spent minute or two only in con-
ventionalities, and then wcrd was gwen
to Major Hall, OF the army, aide 10 the
grand marshal, that they were ready 10
start for the Capitol.
IL was a dignited procession that walk
ed from the Blue Room TO the carriage
waiting under the portico.
Major Mckinley and MIR Cleveland led
>the way. President Cleveland showed
little trace OF the physical suffering ana
bsrd work OF the closing days OF con-
Ass. lie walked with a perceptible
INN. In enc hand he carried tightly
LIZA umbrella, but did not use it as a
sunnoNt for his lameness.
SDPp'' OLNEY's ABSENCE.
r-,,ervNody I'm the lobby uncovered as
~ 80 distinguished men passed them.
~ tthem came Senators sherman
and Mitchsl and the members Oh lne
eat,.-t 80. all of them, for there was
o "a ,o,otIe Exception. Secretary Olney
III liz ShonId bSye led the line of his ofil-
I'll ooIIea,,'esN was not there, and his
osso,,,e 80 81 osce noted and commented
-, T., ,,as sncb van unusual occurrence
10, those who were there. busy as they
were in inspecting Sery ue.ail ~
of the most interestWs eEe's
day. found time to woI'ue, wy ~ -.
with Secretary Carlisle. VINO "ou'u .'tse
been Mr.. Olney's ccmpanNan. was Attor-
ney-General Harmon. while MesSI'' -
mont. Herbert. Wilson. Fa"c,s, a'u
Morton followed. two by two, i '''e oiue'
of their official precedence.
There was an awkward wax at tlie
west entrance TO tho driveway WINE
the military escort was being Rarcheo
into position. While battalion aftsr pat
talon, cavalry, infantry, and ar%'lery'
soldier and marine, swung along the ave.
nue. front OF the mpnslon. the two cef'rai
figures I'm the ceremonies CT the day wle
compelled to wait behind the clos'u
gates. When the last file Of regular TROOPS
had gone by, Troop A, OF Cleveland
wheeled into position. the gates were
opened. and the triumphal progress of
the new President to the Capitol began.
All tho stands erected along Pennsyl-
vana avenue and Fifteenth street were
fairly well filed with spectators, though
the crowds were not quite as great as
expected Every window along the line
of march framed half a dozen heads or
more. For that entire distance of mile
and aquarter the Sidewalks were pack
ed. AT particular points OF vantage the
congestion vas too great TO allow pro-
gress Of restless on-lookers. Rcof-tops
were crowded with men and women, and
places block away we're utilized by
timid persons 10 secure a long distance
view of the parade.
The decoration along the youte was
general. and generally I'm good taste
TIE PROGRESS EASTWARD.
Cheering began from the time the Presi-
dent elects carriage. drawn by its four
sorrels. passed through the White House
gates and began It's progress eastward.
Flags and handkTchiefs were waved
fv women and children, while men waved
their hats and made their display OF en-
thusiasm stronger by using their lungs.
The escort 20 the Capitol consisted of
u brigade of United Suites forces, artil-
iery. infantry. cavalry. engineers, ma
rincs and sailors. and n brigade OF the
National Guard Of the District Of CO.
Inmhsa II was led by platoon of mount
ed police and followed Immediately by
the regular army band from Governors
Island. New York.
General Horace Porter the grand mar
shall with a rumerous array OF speclal
and regular aids. most OF them In uni
form. preceded the escort. which was COM
manded by Major-G General Wesley Merritt,
n s A The escort formed the first d.
vision OF the parade. The escort OF the
president and President-elect left the
White House within thirty seconds OF the
time agreed upon, General Porter having
previously promised Mr. Mckinley that
he should reach the Capitol ten minutes
before the hour Of u. The clerk In the
room of the Vice-President pointed 10
this precise moment as the President
elect entered that chambr.
II was 2:25 when the procession started
on its return TO the White House.
nj, nat constantly. IN response TO the
cheering that preceded followed and kept
abreast OF him. At times he would ride
with head barred for block or two. The
sun shone warm and bright, and lessened
the danger he ran OF catching cold. Mr.
Cleveland seemed to be I'm the best of
spirits. lie showed a keen interest In the
scenes along the way. and smiled in
pleased manner at some unusual out
bursts.
EMBARRASSING DELAY.
II was twenty minutes past O'Clock
when Mrs. Mckinley and her party drove
up 10 the front pOrtico OF the White House.
The delay occasloned by stopping to take
lunch at the Capitol was embarrassing.
Mrs. Cleveland. with Brigadier-General
Wilson. ex-Secretary Lamont. and Mr..
Thurber had been waiting to receive
Mrs. Mckinley fully an hour on the sunny
rear porch. the tedious delay meaning
more TO Mrs. Cleveland than any one else.
for she had determined at any personal
Inconvenience to wlcome Mrs. Mckinney.
and the loss OF an hour would cause ner
not only to miss saying farewell 70 the
Cabinet ladies at Secretary Lamonts' but
also prevent her bidding goodbye 70 her
husband before he started South.
The first duty she was eventually en-
abicd hurriedly TO accomplish. but she
was much disappointed at being unable
m 90 as she had intended to do to bid
Mr. Cleveland farewell at the wharf. she
had prepared with her own hands
beautiful boquet Of La France roses and
ltIacs fastened with broad pink streamers
for her successor. which were placed IN
the private bed room TO which she had
given several last touches before descend