The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-05
lie UnLHI DILL
1t Was the Climax of the In
augural Display
Held in the Court of the Pension
Building.
BIRDS IN GOLD CAGES
MingIe Their Songs With the
Music of the Bands.
A q. 8. Flag Done in COlOred
Electric Lights.
'IRDS IN GOLD CAGES

the streets were still crowded with peo-
pie, the clamoring multitudes still bat
tied at dining room doors of hotels ana
restaurants, demanding food and drink,
countless thousands surged to and fro
IN front of the monument grounds
whence arose the chromatic fireworks
that lighted the city IN ntful gleamS,
but it was at the brilliantly nlumtna-
ted pension building that politics paid
Ats tribute in society. There the diStin-
guished guests of the occasion paid
homage to President Mckinley and the
new mistress of the White House and
later treaded the mazeS of the dance.
The inaugural ball was the climax or
the day. The pension building is ad-
mirably suited for this spectacular dis
play. It is an enormous hall surround
ing a vast court, supported by huge
pillars of marble, around which circle
two galleries. This great court last
night became the ball room. It lends
itself to the most artistic decoration
and it was never so beautifully decora-
ted and festOoned and lighted as on this
occa sion. The arches trembled with
flowers, the colored columns seemed to
grow out of bowers of flowers and sup
ported the iron roof which was a roy
al canopy of white and gold. Hun
dreds of canaries in gold cages, tucked
away in the greenery, sang merrily.
Thousands of electric lights flashed
amid the flowers and drapery. The ar
tistic effect of the lights was probably
never equalled, certainly not surpasS-
ed,,in this country.
The most striking feature was an
enormous counterpart of "Old Glory"
done in red, white and blue bulbs SO
arranged that it seemed to be floating
in a stiff breeze. It was like the por-
tai of fairy land, with it's visions of
beautiful women it's myriads of gleam-
ing lights, it's gorgeous masSing of col
ors, it's wealth of blossoms, its pulsa-
tons of soft music and the heavy OdOr
of thousands of perfumes. The enor-
nous floor space, 800 feet long and half
xuid 60 ba IL
vided into squares, each under a corps
of assistants to the general floor man.
ayers, Edward McCauley and Edwin B.
Hay
The announcement of the inaugural
ball declared that the doors would be
opened al o'clock and that the dance
programme would begin at nine, but
many visitors to the city determined to
Mss no part of the festivities were
clustered about the entrances to the
peDsion building before the bolts were
drawn. The great pile of red brick,
with thousands of electric bulbs alight
inside, glistened at every window,a bea-
con visible half across the city.
When the doors of the hall finally
swung open they came with a rush and
in quarter of an hour the main floor
was comfortably filed with promen-
aders. The presidential party, notable
figures of Ofhcialdom, and the world of
society which came swishing along
with the diplomatic corps and the navy
force s conspicuous factors, DELAYED
their arrival till later and more fash
lonable hours. The first corners, how
ever, were repaid for their enterprise
by the finest view, for without a great
enough crowd to conceal the decora-
lions, the wonderful hall was to be
seen at the best advantage. From the
two balconies encircling the hall, high
up hundreds of people looked down as
into an arena upon the other hundreds
of stalwart black coated men and rich
~ gowned women who swept in con-
tinuous procession around the broad
surface Meantime. during the
hour before the dancing was to begin,
the spectators were entertained by a
concert from the white uniformed mil
1tary band, which filled the gallery at
the east end of the hall and aIternated
with torches high in the south gallery
marches.
City and country society and official
dom, even black and white, touched
elbows on friendly terms in the great
rotunda- Among the fashionably
gowned women from the society peo-
pie of every American city were the
visitors from rural towns
There were the diplomats, late corners
all of them. They were resplendent in
scarlet and gold and green and the
grand silks of the Orient, with enam-
eled orders shining from their breasts
and c1ankfng swords which tripped
them as they walked. There was also
the plain but more stalwart contingent
Of the army and navy, together with
divers uniforms of the crack military
ACSAiC1L VI many cities. Inc silks,
satins, diamonds and pearls of the
ladies were of course the chief, and to
the sex the most interesting features of
the human show. Here and there
among the promenaderS was to be seen
colored couple, for all the constitu-
tional amendments are respected at an
inaugural ball.
OF dancing there was none during the
first two hours, and little thereafter
for the floors were much to crowded to
dance with comfort, and most of the
visitors chose, rather, to watch the dis
play than to risk their toes and gar
ments in the crush.
The presidential party arrived at the
ball at a quarter before 10 o'clock TIL
president and his wife were escorted
by General Nelson A. Miles and Cen
era1 ]. NJ. Wilson of the army. After
them came Vice President Hobart Mr.
John Addison Porter the presidents
secretary, Abner Mckinley and several
members of the Mckinley and Hobart
families. After a few moments in
which Mrs. McKinley's wraps were re-
moved, the party moved into the room
ordinarily the office of the commits
siOner of pensions, where they received
the most distinguished guests.
Mrs. Mckinley sat in an upholstered
arm chair while the guests were pre-
sented to her, the president standing at
her right. General Wilson made the
presentations, and to each of those who
paid their respects the president gave
cordial handshake.
1t soon became evident that Mrs Nc
Kinley would not be able to receive the
public, so after half an hour Mr.. Nc
Kinley thought it better to shut out the
exciting turmoil. After the door was
closed Mrs Mckinley received many
of the diplomatic officers and other dis
tinguished people.
After partaking of luncheon in the
supper room Mr.. and Mrs. Mckinley
were driven back to the Ebbitt House
1t was 1 O'Clock when they left the ball