The times., 1897-03-12
THE PRESIDENTS THANKS |
Mr.. McKinley's Acknowledgment
to the Inaugural Committee.
CHAIRMAN BELLS BANQUET
The Executive Officers of the 4th
of March Ceremonies Hold a Pro-
tracted Meeting and a Love Feast.
One Other Meeting to Wind Up
It's Affairs.

The heretofore prosaic-lookipg table or
the civic committee was piled wide and
deep last night with lobster salad ices.
Johannisberger, tulips, hyacinths. roses.
and other material and sentimental thipps
as so many dissolving views of the inter
esting men and measures of the recent
great inaugural ceremonies Chairman Bell
was the host and provider, the BANQUET he.
ing to his associates of the inaugural Com.
mittee. There were no speeches: in fact
there was no time nor room for these
back numbers.
THIS incident took place after the meet
ing or the executive committee, at which
nearly all OF the members were present and
at which great deal OF winding up busi-
ness was transacted. Mr.. Bell win leave
the City tomorrow night for Florida. where
he VIII spend week of weIl-earned rest.
after which the final meeting will be
held.
Treasurer Edison made his report, which
was substantially that printed a day or
two ago in The Times.
Chairman Bell made a statement from
this report reviewing the whole work OF
n
final statement of the surplus for the.
reason that there may be some bills not
yet presented which may change the fig
ures. He would say, however, that this
surplus would be between $1,000 and
$4,000. The appropriation to the sumner
committee was $4,000, but there was a
loss on this function of more than
$4,000. A very small percentage of the
10000 people at the ball forgot to din.
al home on that memorable evening
letter was read from President Nc
kinley, through his secretary, to Mr..
Bell, as follows:
My Dear Sir. At the request OF the
President l write TO inform YOU OF his
thorough appreciation of the yery eff
cent services rendered by yourself and
the members OF your ex ecutive committee
He feels certain that the inaugural cere-
monies were never better managed. ami
is particularly pleased with the courte.
sizes extended to Mrs. Mckinley, which
he wishes me to acknowledge most heartily.
The President would be glad to have
this information made known to all of
your associates and assista nts whose CO.
operation contributed to the splendid sue
cess or the exercises of the day and even.
ing
A letter to Mt Bell was also read from
Grand Marshal Porter in which he said
in part that he had never seen commit
tees work SO harnoniousIy and effectively
in the preparations and conduct OF iu-
augural ceremonies. The ball was the
most mangificent sight ever seen and
with the weather To help ont, even the
chronic fault finders had nothing TO crit
icise adyerselyN
Capt. j. L. Bell. chairman of the COM
lnittce on comfort at the ball, made the
interesting statement that not one ar
ticle OF any kind had been lost by any
attendant through the negligence Of the
committee Heretofore there have aIways
been claims for damages and loss at these
balls.
on motion of Col. A. T. Britton. a resolu-
ton Of thanks Was passed. highly oompii-
mentary TO the secretaries, Major Fred
Bracket, George II Bracket, and Book
keeper Holden for their Invaluable ser
vices, Chairman Bell speaking pointedIy
in Endorsement OF the sentiments of the
motion. Mr.. Bell also made the press his
special care, and at his suggestion the
following resolution was unanimously
passed
Resolved. That the thanks OF the eX ecu
tive committee are hereby rendered to
Mr.. c. W Gesner of the Washington Post,
Mr. NJ. F Tighe OF The Washington Times
and Mr.. c. Cromwell of the Evening Star,
for the faithful and accurate manner in
which they have reported our proceed
ings; and the executive committee hereby |
acknowledges the aid given by these gen
nd Haf
in promoting the success of the inaugural |
ceremonies -
Checks will be issued today to SUBJ
soribers to the guarantee fund for the |
full amount OF their subscriptions.
Capt. Bell called attention to the fact |
OF the great expense to the Government |
Of inaugural balls, and suggested that a |
bill be offered in the next Congress for |
the erection Of an armory which would |
include a ballroom suitable for such &C
casions The committee will take up this |
suggestion at its next meeting; also the |
question Of the disposition of the surplus, |
for which applications have already been
made by charitable organizations.
Mr. Ross Perry moved vote Of thanks
to Chairman Bell, which was carried unani-
mously and by rising vote.
Col. James L Norris offered a resolution
with an eulogistic preamble. which was
passed. and which awarded the chair in
which MIR Bell has presided and also the
desk Herewith to him as a gift from the
executive committee.
Secretary Walker and Sec retary Brackett 7
were also lowered with their beautiful
1esks and luxurious chairs by compliment
ary votes of the committee.
All OF the members of the committee were
given about ten of the. beautiful souvenirs
)f the bah. after which, there being moth
ag else in sight to give away, the commit
tee, en- masse, at the invitation Of the chair
nan, adjourned to the adjoining room,
where the post-inaugural feast was spread
SPEER WILL BE DISMISSED. |