The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-03
Ante-InauguratiOn Scenes
at the Capital.
Presentation of a Badge to
PreSident-Elect Mckinley.
Major Had But Short Nights Rest
But Aw0ke Much Refreshed.

Inauguration opened moist and warm
and by 10 o'clock slow, steady drizzle
set in that cast discouragement on the
visitor, but gave hope for the great day
tomorrow 10 the local resident who had
| anxiously watched the gathering cloud
| conditions and feared that the rain in the
| atmosphere would not precipitate before
| the fourth Of March. Ioday's downpour
| gave promise of clearing later in the day
| and Washington was quite prepared for
| the official weather forecast sent out about
| 10 o'clock after a consultation 10y the best
weather forccastcrs in the local service,
that the day would be clear, cool and
bracing.
The railroads continued throughout the
night and day TO pour constantly growing
special trains into the city and the rush of
military companies and civic organiza-
tions fairly begun, few of them having
reached here yesterday Their marching
through the main streets livened up mat
ters and added picturesqueness to the
scene.
Around the larger hotels there was a
crush and at the Ebbitt House where the
President-elect is staying there was per-
feet jam. The President-clect retired at
a late hour last night and rose at an
early hour for official Washington this
morning but in his short sleep he had
found rest and recupcration. When he
appeared at breakfast about O'Clock he
looked the picture of health and strength.
The Mckinley breakfast was home-like
meal and besides the President elect and
Mrs. Mckinley no one else was with them.
BY o'clock the lobby of the Ebbitt
House was crowded with PERSONS anxious
to meet the President-elect either on
personal business or from curiosity. But
while many came few were successful I'm
their efforts to reach the ear of the Presi-
dentelect.
Mr.. Porter, his secretary, and the near
friends who are looking after his COM
fort, realizing that Mr.. Mckinley had
before him an exhausting day, even If he
confined himself to cases of great and
immediate Importance, gave orders that
only chosen few be admitted and cards
were generally refused at the desk.
Mr.. Hanna, was among the earliest call
ers and of course he found no difficulty
i'm making his way into the reserved sec
ton of the hotel. About half past nine
o'clock notice came to Mr.. Mckinley that
a delegation sought to meet him to make
a presentation. This was headed by Post
master General Wilson and all were mem
bers of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon frater-
nifty and called to present n badge of the
order of which the President elect is
member. The President-elect greeted his
callers with the greatest cordiality. He
was In good spirits and seeing Postmaster
General Wilson in the van, was reminded
of the old days of their service in the
House of Representatives Taking him by
the hand he exclaimed: II have not seen
you since the storm of last November.
Come over by the window where / can see
you plainly and make sure you look as
you did in the good old days when you
were on one side and / on the other "
After reciprocating this greeting in the
same spirit the postmaster general pro
ceeded To make little speech i'm entirely
informal language. He was charged with
the presentation to the President-elect of
a badge.
The Prcsidcnt-elect thanked the dele
CATION in suitable terms and promised to
wear il. Ii was beautiful work of the
jewellers art, studded thickly with dia-
monds.
Soon after o'clock Mr.. Mckinley re-
| turned To his apartments to dispose of
some matters requiring his immediate at
| tcntion connected with the inaugural
| ceremonies, being accompanied by Sccre-
| tary Porter. Mr. Mckinley apparently
gave little consideration 10 the Cabinet
matter probably for the reason that the
matter to an extent was not one for CON
| sideration.
At ten minutes past IL o'clock Mr. Nc
| Kinlcy went to pay his official visit To
| President Cleveland at the White House.
| Soon after his departure tho Charles H.
| kurtz club, ono of the largest of tho Re.
publican League clubs of Ohio, marched
| up 1lth street TO scrcnade him. They were
crest fallen to find their quarry had
| slipped away, but did the next best
thing and scrcnadcd Mrs Mckinley who,
| with the other members Of the party, In
the hotel watched them from the side
| windows.