The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-03-05

The steps. the balconies and every pro-
lection OF the capitol front and dome
were crowded. II was as II the grand
facade was banked to the roof with the
visiting thousands. Major Mckinley,
standing on q raised platform well I'D
vanced at salient spot, was readily
distinguished by his magnificent aud
Icnce, and those who could not hear
were well content 10 see. There was
universal silence as the black.robed
justice of the supreme court admlniS-
tered the solemn oath which made Will
lam Mckinley President OF the United
States. Then the seal OF silence was
broken by the reign OF sound-decp,
swelling. all-pervading. dominating
sound. as II surginS sea were rolling
over the land before the driving OF a
King of Storms. As the many bands
Joined the mighty acclaim, the organiZ-
ed columns marched into place, the
grand review was I'm motion and the
currents and waves OF humanity began
to flow towards the lines OF It's march.
Looking from the head OF the line at
the Peace monument toward the treas
ury and white house, q mile ana q
half AWAY, was like gazing into n
broad canon whose nigh walls We're n
mass OF men, and women, and flags.
The buildings, low and high, plain
and stately, were almost concealed
from view By the spectators, and these,
in turn, were as thickly covered with
streamers. banners and bunting. wav-
Ing IN light. or woven into countless
forms OF beauty, as are autumnnl
woods with the glories Of autumn.
As basis OF decoration, the lnaugu-
raj committee distributed 5000 nation
al flags TO all on the line OF marGh
who would use In their windows. 80
great was the demand that there would
have been 100000 used II they had been
provided. Upon such background
zach Individual owner builded and
wrought out such forms OF beauty as
his enthusiasm and his patriotism sug-
gcsted.
First was the clean swept floor OF the
wide avenue rOped In throughout It's
length, and clear OF every object save
the lining OF police who kept It so. The
wide pavement OF either side through
out the line Of march were packed.
Rising above these came crowds Ia he
show windows, then the thick ranks OF
the balconies, Every window and cor
nice had ts futt quota OF spectators
and 80 upward to the frinEes OF men
along the edges Of the roofs. every
available polnt OF observation was not
only filled but crowded TO itg capacity.
The great stands which lined all tho
parks and reservations, were, FOR the
jIrst time IN the history OF innugura-
lions both attractive In plan and beau
flTul IN decoration They were built
under specifications approved by the
inaupurnl committee from architects
OF standing and taste ard ihe con
tractors carefully followed these, Thus
was removed. 70 far as II was possi-
bic. The former horrld effects NJ the
barE-lIkc structures ut rough lumber
which have heretofore marred All at
tempts at comprehensive decoration
pg The avenue. over such trlumphll
way, and thus huuorrd by magnificent
preparations ana the presence ana
lhunIeroug applause ~ unendinE
crowds. President Mckinley was cs-
c3rtcd 10 the VIII" house. whence nc
soon proceeded ~ the stand IN front OF
II 10 rcylcw the imposing columns o'
the marching ibous1nds.
Tile stand seated 1000 The Prrsl-
dent stood Tn a projecting area, shield
cd by glass. Tho audience was notable
In ali lts elements. Thc official life Of
Inc nation was fully represented The
nmblgsad0rs and minister's of all ma
tlnBg honorcd the occasion. Tho polite
nj magnatcs OF both parties had seats
The families OF these various dlBnltar'