The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-02-24
"TRIP TO THE CAPITOL
row PRESIDENTS RIDE ON THElR
INAUGURATION JOURNEY.

For Harrison-some Inaugural Trips of
Former Years - Clcveiand's Turnout -
Grant Loved His Buggy and Span.
At former inas9urals there has been
great rivalry among Washington livery
men TO furnish the barouche in which
the incoming president rides from the
White House to the capitol to deliver
l4s inaugural address Custom has fixed
the Compensation for this turnout at
<ey, and although the distance is only
two miles there has never been any
COMPLAINT ut the bill. The same car
,riaRe and horses are used to convey, the
president and his wife in the evening
to the inaugural ball, and for that ex-
ira service liyerymen have been paid an
additional $40. The committee of sena-
tors furnish conveyance from the capitol
back to the reviewing stand.
\ But in more recent years this strife to
serve the chief magistrate has III large
degree ceased The palmy days OF liv-
ery keepers have passed in Washington
with rapid transit street car lines and
the advent of many bicycles. With the
small establishments now at their COM
mand the liverymen have their hands
full to accommodate the mighty crowds
that throng the city during inaugural
ceremonies. Allison Nailor, the veteran
livery keeper, known to everybody in
Washington for years rs also a promi-
nent contractor and Republican national
committeeman from the District of Co
lumbia, with that picturesque negro,
Colonel Perry Carson, as his colleague,
used to have some red lined barouches
that were always pressed into the serv-
fee for the accommodation of incoming
presidents. They were stately vehicles,
but their day is past, and such cOnspicS
nous appointments would not meet the
approval of latter day chief magistrates.
1t used to be the custom to have the
inaugural coach drawn by four pranc-
ing horses, but President HARRISON,
when ho came in, would have none Of
this. Two horses We're enough to draw
him and President Cleveland to the
capitol and back again But Mr.. Harri-
son. had long been familiar with official
ife in Washington and was not dazzled
by the prospect Of riding before thou
sands Of enthusiastic citizens, whose
huzzas would rend the air along the en-
tire distance of the journey
. Mr.. Cleveland ut his last inaugural,
however, had the customary four-in-
hand, and in magnificent barouche,
drawn by four black horses, with two
men ON the box, ran the gantlet Of ad-
miring thousands. The vice president,
Mr.. Stevenson, followed in another four
in-hand, drawn by four white horses.
The picture of these two splendid turn
outs proceeding through the rain and
sleet that fell ON March 4, 1898, at a
rapid trot and the multitudes that lined
the sidewalks nine and ten deep is not
easily forgotten by those who saw it.
The inaugural committee furnishes
the conveyances to the capitol and to
the inaugural ball, for they have in
charge arrangements for Inducing the
new president into Office. The carriage
accommodations for President Elect Nc
Kinley are not get coBpletetb but local
4:verymen say they take little interest
in the selection that the inaugural COM
mittee may make. After the president
assumes his Office he has his own horses
according to his individual tastes III
that respect.
Presidents have been very different
in their selection of conveyanoes for use
during their four years term. 1t is
doubtful if President Cleveland has been
seen upon the street behind his four in
hand since last inauguration day He
always drives with a pair, generally rec
horses President Arthur was the mai
that gloried in the splendor Of his equi
page. Itwas no uncommon sight for hin
to appear dashing from the White Hous'
gates behind his four finland. Presi
dent Arthur used to sit leisurely bacl
in the seat, as much at peace with tn,
world as an eastern prince.
President Hayes was most often seer
about tho city on horseback, mode o
conveyance and form of exercise that h,
was very fond Of President Harrison
enjoyed walking and frequently wen
upon the streets, mingling with his fel
low citizens President Grant did like
wise, but he also liked to drive in
buggy, drawn by two Of his spirited
horses. President Grant was great
lover of horsefesh. He had some Arabian
horses that the sultan Of Turkey gave
him, and these We're quartered for 6
time on the stock farm which General
Beale, one of the presidents intimate
friends, owned ont in Maryland, a few
miles from Washington. There is a DO.
lice officer named West who once ar.
rested President Grant for fast driving
ON Vermont avenue. The president was
IN his box buggy and was Letting his
horses out" when the officer spied him.
The chief magistrate and former gen.
eral Of all the Union armies in the re.
bellion was not taken to the station
house. He informed the officer that h,
was the president hut the officer sait
that would make no difference. for n,
had orders not to allow such fast driv
ing. This did not decrease Presiden
Grants respect for the officer
Older residents of Washington 10