The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-18
Will Be the Pageant at Wash
ingtOn March 4,
Attendant Upon the Inaugura-
tion of Major Mckinley.
so HANDSOME ARCHES
VIII Span the Streets of the
National Capital.
There Will Be No Luncheon at
the White House.

Washington, Jan. 1s.-An arrange.
ments for the inaugural ceremonies
March 4 are now under full Roadway
Nothing that money can command will
be left undone to make the event nota-
able. The induction into office of Major
Mckinley, indeed, promises to be ac-
companied by a spectacle such as has
never before been seen in this country.
Washington will be Respondent with
life and color. Every building in the
city VIII wear garb of red, white and
blue.
One of the features of the street dec
orations will be the erection of arches
over the cross streets leading to Penn
Sylvania avenue.
Each arch is to represent a state, and
be symbolical of that commonwealth
There are 90 of these arches, one for
each OF the As states, three for the ter-
ritories, one for the District of Column
bia and one for Alaska.
The flag of every nation of the globe
having an accredited representative at
Washington will float in the breeze in
honor of the occasion.
President-eIect Mckinley has shown
a lively interest in the arrangements,
but has 1eft the details of the programme
to Chairman Hanna and the local in
augural committee.
A brilliant military display is con-
templated, in which, it is expected, the
governors of many states, with their
staffs, will participate.
There is still a doubt as to the pres
ence of the West Point cadets at the
Inauguration ceremonies Secretary
of War Lamont recently sent out an
der requiring the cadets presence in
Washington March 4, but it is now said
that he may rescind that order.
This would keenly diSappOint the West
Point boys, who have been looking for
ward to a good time. The instructors
at the academy are averse to any such
interruption in their work and diSci-
pine as this trip would entail. Besides,
they believe that the visit would have
& demoralizing effect on the health and
habits of the cadets
over in New Jersey there is trouble.
Electors, plain voters and legislators
seem to be all lukewarm on the subject
of "Garret A. Hobart, vice president
elect" The state has refused to furn-
ish guard or escort for him, and some
of the militiamen hate to pay their own
expenses to Washington. Several COM
panies of the NationaH Guard have de-
cided to pay their own expenses, and to
give to Mr.. Hobart the recognition
which his state and its executive deny
him.
No part of the inaugural festivities
is receiving greater attention than the
preparations for lighting the city, At
first 1T was proposed to have the arches
brilliantly illuminated. This project,
however, is just now held in allegiance,
owing to the fear that it might be dan
BerOuS to conduct the electric current
through these temporary structures at
a time that the streets of the city are so
uncommonly crowded. Fires and fall
The Illuminating plans now received
with most favor are those that contem-
plate the erection of search light towers,
from which floods of light of different
colors may be thrown upon the larger
public buildings.It is proposed to build
IN the Capitol park several towers from
which beams of light may at intervals
De thrown upon the capitol, so to
bring out the white walls and the ma
jestic dome with beautiful cIearne
against the dark sky. The moon will be
but DAVIS old he of Mar
setting less than an hour after the sun,
so the night will be dark enough for
this purpose, and if clouds should fill
the sky the ERECT might be still further
heightened. Tt is also proposed that a
ray of strong light be cast from each of
the spaces between the pillars of the
making a brilliant 13-pOinted star-a
light of some historical significance
The use of colored glasses at times
would enhance the beauty of the scene,
and doubtless the ingenuity of the pro-
moters will devise still more wonderful
effects. Other public buildings might
be Illuminated, though none to so good
advantage as the capitol
The Washington monument, however,
affords better opportunity for an
electrical display than ANYTHING else
Lights thrown upon it would show the
pure white shaft, while four search
lights set in the Top of the monument
would sweep the sky with results sug-
costing magic.
In the line of Nominations it is in
feresting to note that some of the par
ties arranging to come to WASHINGTON
nave planned for a brilliant light-up on
the way An Illinois delegation, which
Will come by train in sections al
ready has engaged an expert electrician
with 5O assistants to accompany the
party. The train will travel from Chi
cago to Pittsburg during the night of
March z, and it is proposed that each
section shall be lighted from cow
catcher to rear platform by electric
lamps strung in fantastic shapes: and
an order that the slumbering villages
along the line may appreciate the bea-
ICES OF the display, it is proposed to
wake them up as the trains pass
through by firing guns and setting off
fireworks from the foremost section
one of this years Inauguration inno-
vatiOnS will be the omission of the mid
day luncheon at the White House IT
has hitherto been the custom of the re-
firing president to serve a luncheon to
the incoming president and his party
immediately after they come down from
the capitol While this is a convenience
to the presidential party it seriously
delays the parade. for, of course the
the president is on the reviewing stand
to receive it. Major Mckinley has cor
daily acceded to the suggestion of
Grand Marshal Horace Porter that this
luncheon be stricken out of the pro
gramme and that he shall go to the re-
viewing stand at once. 1t is estimated
that in this way the parade can be
made to pass in about three hours. and
that $4,000 men may be reviewed before
8 o'clock in the evening.