New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-05

deSrability. III they do not the necessity, or nav
ing this part NJ the pageant at least handed
over to the direction Of an experienced master
Of ceremonies. 1t is certain that any one OF a
score Of stage managers. accustomed to direct
the mise en- scene Of a spectacular show, could
have given the Senate committee some valua-
able hints on this occasion. To see the guests
Of the Senate-the Justices Of the Supreme
Court the members of the Diplomatic Corps.
the House of Representatives.. the Cabinet. the
Governors Of States with their staffs-compelled
10 force their way down an aisle which ought
10 he clear but as a matter of fact. is almost
always choked up with belated guests. neither
adds to the dignity of the occasion nor does It
impress the spectator with the courtesy and
good breeding which ought to be manifest A
chamber. too. Uttered with desks and camp and
kitchen chairs can hardly be said to present a
very impressive appearance. Republican sim
plIcity" may he urged in defence Of such ud-
crous makeshifts. but II might. with more truth.
he called 'meanness' or bad taste
THE sENATE's HOUSE CLEANING
As usual toward the close Of Congress. the
Senate had remained in session urtil early In
the morning recess in the small hours Of
the day had furnished the opportunity for some
very necessary housekeeping The floor was
being swept and few hundred chairs placed
in position the rays OF the morning sun
penetrated the miasmatic atmosphere i'm the up
per part of the chamber. The legislators them
selves were sorely in need OF a brushing up. -
and lost time In making themselves pre-
sentable. BY o'clock. when the Senate met
once more. the evidences of a nights session had
completely disappeared except In the worn and
haggard looks of the Older men and in the alb
sence Of others who had succumbed to the
strain Of short legislative session behind
closed doors. The hours before noon wore away
in listening to conference reports and In the
transaction OF routine business. 1t was long
and dreary wait.
THE CROWDS BEGIN TO COME
BY 10 O'Clock the crowds. which up to that time
had not been admitted to the building. began
pourIng into the galleries Only the holders OF
tickets were permitted to pass by the guards
but II required less than ten minutes TO I'LL the
galleries to overlooking. Even as early as 1890
every seat In the diplomatic gallery was occu-
pied. Three rows Of seats in the east gallery mao
been reserved for the party Of the PRESIDENT
elect An adjoining row Of seats was set apart
for Mrs Cleveland and her friends. With the
exception Of these four rows OF seats every avail
able inch Of room seemed to have been made use
Pauncefote and her eldest daughter: the wife Of
the Chinese Minister, In full war paint. ngur-
ativeiy and literally speaking. with wealth NJ
artificial flowers In her hair that would have
turned any magician accustomed, before an as
tonished audience. to unload the contents of an
improvised horn Of plenty. pale with envy and
establishment: the wife Of the japanese Minister
in a faultlessly fitting Partisan costume: Nine.
Romero the wife Of the Mexican Minister: Mrs.
Potter Palmer. Of Chicago: Mr.. and Mrs. Henry
White. and last though not least Of ALL the ex-
Queen Of the Hawaiian Islands. She was accom-
panied by her native secretary. and likewise by
"Chamberlain' Parker. How she secured admis-
sion 10 the diplomatic gallery Is a puzzle remain
ing unsolved TO the hour of writing. In view OF
the fact that the seats set aside for the use or
her Great and Good Friend" remained conspicu-
ousy unoccupied during the entire ceremony.
and that many members Of the Diplomatic Corps
entitled to admission were crowded out or their
places by reason Of her presence In the diplo-
matte gallery. the suggestion heard on many
sides that she might have been invited to occupy
the Cleveland seats sounds neither unreasonable
nor is 1t. indeed. irrational
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE JUSTICES.
Until shortly before noon the galleries were
left to gaze upon eighty Senators huddled to-
Cether or wedged between desks. maintaining
their dignity and the dignity Of the occasion by
refraining from the perusa Of newspapers and
indulging only occasionally In subdued converse
ton They had reserved for themselves part OF
the eastern half of the chamber. while on the
other side serried rows OF kitchen chairs con-
fronted them, with here and there mahogany
desk spotting the view. In front Of this wilder
ness Of furniture a beautiful fringe Of uphol-
stored chairs. designed for the occupancy OF the
Justices Of the Supreme Court. spoke eloQuently
for the fine discriminating sense Of the Arrange
ments Committee. The diplomats and the men,
bers Of the House Of Representatives might get
along as best they might on hard and unrespon-
sive wooden seats. The judicial mould required
more consderate treatment.
ARRIVAL OF DISTINGUISHED GUESTS.
The first ripple Of excitement was caused by
the arrival I'm the gallery OF the Mckinley party.
1t was headed by Mrs. Mckinley. leaning heavi-
w on the arm Of Chairman Bell Of the Citizens
Inaugural Committee and carrying In the other
hand stout goldtipped ebony cane. She
looked pale and worn. and made her way to the
seat assigned to her In the first row with some
thing of an effort Upon being asked to move
to an adjoining seat she did so readily enough,
hut to a similar request made few seconds later
she felt evidently compelled TO say no" The
exertion was plainly too much for her In the con-
dition she was in. Among other members OF the
party were Mr.. and Mrs. Abner Mckinley a SIS
ter Of the Presidents wife. and MIR. and Mrs
John Addison Porter.
The official guests or the Senate now began ar
irving on the floor Of the chamber, the four Am
bassadors heading the line. Their rank was
officially recognized by being seated to the right
- and In the same line with the chair To be oc-
cupied by the President and President-elect,
facing the Senate First came the dean. Sir
Julian Pauncefote; then the French Ambassador.
NJ Paten6tre followed by Baron Fava. the Am
bassador Of Italy. while the youngest Of the Am