San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-05-23
INAUGURATION DAY.
An Occasion Of Groat Display in
Washington
Not Much Like Ii Was In the Day of
Thomas Jefferson - Conduct of
the Crowds at the
Capitol.

Thomas jefferson was the first presi-
dent of our country to be inaugurated
at Washington. This took place in
the year 1901, when our national capital
was not much more than year old;
and you may imagine that the city was
very different place from what 1t is
to-day.
But now instead of a struggling town
with few muddy streets and about
5000 inhabitants, jefferson would find
our national capital one Of the most
beautiful cities on the face of the earth,
with population of nearly 300 900; and
on March he would behold a scene
such as he never dreamed of. Thou
sands of flags fly from the house-tops
and windows, bright-colored bunting in
beautiful designs adorns the great pub
lie buildings, all the stores and busi-
ness houses are gayly decorated with
flags and streamers, and everything pre-
sents the appearance of great and
glorious holiday, while the streets
swarm with the hundreds of thousands
of people who have come to the city
from all parts of the country TO take
part in the grand celebration.
Everybody is moving toward Penn
sylvania avenue, where the parade is to
march. No, not everybody; some fifty
or sixty thousand make their way to
the capitol, so as to get a glimpse of the
inauguration exercises that will take
place on the east portico, and although
the ceremonies will not begin until
nearly one o'clock, the great space in
front of the capitol is packed with peo-
pie three hours before the time, some
OF them having come as early as eight
o'clock in the morning to be sure of
getting good view.
Early in the morning Pennsylvania
avenue is cleared Of all street cars, car
riages and bicycles, and no one is al
lowed to step off the sidewalk. A strong
wire rope is stretched along each side
of the avenue, so as to prevent people
from getting into the street.
Soon every window and balcony
along the line is crowded with specta-
tors. Even the roofs are black with
people, and small boys may be seen
perched among the branches of the
trees, or hanging onto the electric
light poles. For a distance of nearly
three miles ON each side of the street
people are packed so closely together
that it is almost impossible for them
to move. In every park and open space
along the line large wooden stands have
been erected; and these, too. are filled
with those who are willing to pay for
the seats.
As the time for the morning parade
draws near, the crowd become restless
with eagerness and excitement. Police
men on horseback dash up and down
the avenue to see that the road is clear,
and every now and then trooper or
messenger in bright uniform gallops
past. Suddenly the boom of a cannon
is heard. The next moment there
comes the distant roll of drums, and
then, amid the inspiring music of
brass bands and tremendous cheering,
the procession appears moving slowly
down the avenue on its way to the cap
itol. Riding ahead is a squad of mount
ed police-big, brawny fellows, with
glittering brass buttons. After them
come the United States troops and naval
forces, armed with their rifles and sa-
bers that flash in the sunlight, and
marching to the music of the famous
Marine band, while rumbling over the
hard, smooth pavement of the avenue
come the big cannons drawn by power
full horses. Then appears the chief
marshal of the parade drawn on his
spirited horse, heading the body guard
of soldiers that surround the open car
rage containing the president and the
president-elect, sitting side by side.
AS the carriage, which rs drawn by four
handsome horses, rolls slowly along
with its distinguished occupants, men
and boys shout and cheer at the top of
their lungs and throw their hats into
the air when their voices give out, while
the women and girls wave their hand
kerchiefs and hurrah with the rest of
the crowd. With hat in hand, the presi
dent-elect smiles and bows to the right
and left; and with the bands playing
and people cheering, handkerchiefs
futtering and flags flying, he arrives at
the capitol a few minutes before noon.
Here he meets with another rousing re-
ception from the great mass of people
who have been waiting for him for two
or three hours; and it requires all the
efforts of small army of police to open
a way for him and his party to pass into
the capitol.-Clifford Howard. in St.
Nicholas.