The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-03-05
M'KNLEY SPRESIDENT
Continued from First Page.)

they were decorated with more Of rea
bunting and less of print muslin and
cambria. Besides the banners floating
from the roofs there were steamers from
the cornices to the awning rods on The
Sidewalk, red, white and blue most fire.
quently, but almost as often come other
gay and striking combinations, throwing
the mere architectural features of TIT
buildings into allegiance and lending a
carnival air to the ordinarily prosic
structure. Garlands Of red, white and
blue incandescent lights were mingled
with the bunting, to be flashed at night
into a brilliant display of color and a
few shields and painted emblems helped
to fill in the blank wall space.
But mora substantial and extensive
than the decorations Of the private
buildings. We're those Of the public depart
ments. Every department, from the in
terror to the state, war and navy build
Ings. had thrown abroad all its store Of
bunting IN honor Of the day
The base of the treasury building was
one of the favorite vantage grounds from
which to view the inaugural parade, and
there had. been erected stands on the
south, east and north fronts. These,
with their uniform. salmon-like tint and
friese Of brilliant crimson, together with
their living freight of spectators, added
to the decoration Of the building.
Further on in the stretch OF the ave-
nue., before the presidents house, the
stands were Of the most classic form and
substantial style. From over the white
reviewing stand Of the chhief executive,
foated hundred banners, and its snowy
walls ard fiag-draped sides made it the
gem OF the whole collection Of reviewing
stands. The others on this favored
stretch of the great thorOughfare were
decorated with the national coors, in
terspersed with laurel wreaths, golden
eagles, and banners of every hue. shape
and size.
The stretch Of the avenue past the
presidential reviewing stand was the
most choice bit OF the whole panorama
through which the great procession NOV
ed, and thence eastward the decorations
faded gradually away.
AN ACRE OF ASPHALT.
While all this life and picturesquencss
was visible about the treasury there was
equal animation al the other end of the
avenue. The broad plaza before the east
front of the capitol stretching over to-
wards the new congressional library; the
terraces to the west, overlooking the city
with its thousands Of fiuttering banners,
and the great steps sloping down TO Penn
eylvania avenue We're black with stirring
troops of sight-seers an hour before the
~ hxyt Il
Looking down from the capitol windows
there was little of earth or pavement to
be seen because OF the masses Of human
ity spread over il all. The goal of each
of these streams was the acre of asphalt
In front of the platform where the new
president was to take the oath Of Of
fee and deliver his official salutatory.
But this space had been early covered
so the people spread themselves around
the grounds between the capitol steps
and the library. arching clubs were
pushing their way here and there
through the people and heading towards
their positions Of the parade and their
banners were always given the recogni-
ton Of a snout. The uniforms gave touch
es OF Kaleidoscope colors to the crowd.
Various military organizations, mounted
and on foot marched by the capitol and
took their places awaiting the grand in
Rugural parade OF which they were to be
part. 1t was a scene of life and ami
nation in every direction. All eyes were
constantly turned towards this avenue,
where the presidential party was expect
ed.
PRESIDENTS ESCORT FORMS.
The regular troops which formed the
escort Of the presidential party to the
capitol began 10 form in front of the
White House by 9 o'clock Police filed
the center Of the street and the crowds
packed the sidewalks almost to suffoca-
ton. At 10 O'Clock a squad Of policemen
passed along the avenue from Fifteenth
street TO Seventeenth street and picked
up the slack wire cable that had been
dropped at the crossings. II was drawn
tight and the avenue was hence forth
cut from ali but the police and the mi
litia.
At 1O:l5 the mass Of humanity packed
around McKinleys quarters at the Eb-
bitt House parted right and left and be-
fore troop a Of the Ohio National Guard
the famous black horse troop of C.eve-
land. which clattered up and formed in
waiting for the president-elect
TO THE WHITE HOUSE.
Major Mckinley entered the open car
rage, drawn by four fine bays. and the
Cleveland troops, their black bear-sl5sD
shakos nodding. fell in behind. In the
carriage with Major Mckinley was the
senate committee on arrangements and
Secretary Porter
Following the Cleveland troop came
Colonel Ceci Clay. commander of the
District of Columbia national guard. with
a glittering staff and jingling escort
of aides
There were 200 men in this division.
all Of them in the uniform of the national
guard. They were soldie-ly looking
body Of men and formed a fitting rear
guard 10 the great initial pageant of the
day. Being all in line. they now moved
down the avenue through a black mass
OF cheering thousands.
INTO THE BLUE ROOM.
II was only a step around the corner to
the White House but the procession
moved slowly enough 10 give the crowd a
good view Of the president-elect and he
was cheered generously during his short
ride II was just 1920 when Mr.. McKin-
-iey, accompanied by the senate commit
tea, Grove up 70 the north front Of the
White House. Major Mckinley and his
party. entering the rotunda Of the White
nllEgFTsA