Evening star., 1897-03-12
CLOSED WITH A COLLATION.
The Executive Inaugural Committee Holds
an Interesting Meeting.
Expressions of Appreciation for the
Various Agencies Which Helped
Make the Celebration a Success.

What was expected to be the final meet
ing of the executive committee having
charge of the celebration of President Nc
Kiniey's Inauguration was held last night
at the headquarters in the Glover building,
but owing to several outstanding bills
which have not been presented for settle
ment another meeting must be held and
will be called when Chairman Bell returns
from his contemplated visit to Florida.
about March p. There was a large at
tendance at last nights meeting. Treas
urer John Joy Edison reported that the to-
tai amount deposited with him was SIG,
7294O. Chairman Bell announced that
checks we're ready for distribution to the
subscribers to the guarantee fund. and
when this money was returned and all the
inaugural expenses paid he estimated that
a surplus would be left of between 5000
ana 5000. The exact result would be an
nounced at the next meeting. No steps
were taken regarding the disposition of the
surplus. but a large number of applications
We're received from various charitable in
stitutions requesting that portions of 1t be
donated to them. Chairman Bell offered a
resolution, which was unanimously adopted,
rendering the thanks of the executive COM
mittee to the Washington newspapers and
their representatives for the faithful and
accurate manner in which they reported
the committees proceedings and their aid
in promoting the success of the inaugural
ceremonies. A vote of thanks was also ex-
tended, on motion of Col. A. T. Britton, to
bookkeeper. Maj. Holden. and 1t was or
dered that each of these gentlemen be
awarded the desk and chair he used during
the inaugural work.
The committee was very much gratified
at hearing read letter from Mr.. John Ad-
Olson Porter. secretary to the President.
which vas addressed to Mr.. Bell, and read
follows:
fI<
to inform you OF. his thorough appreciation
of the very efficient services rendered by
yourself and the members of the executive
committee. He feels certain that the in
augural ceremonies were never better man
aged and is particularly pleased with
the courtesies extended to Mrs. Mckinley
which he wishes now to acknowledge most
heartily The President would be glad to
have this information made known to all
Of your associates and assistants, whose
cooperation contributed to the splendid
success of the exercises of the day. Very
truly yours"
letter was also read from Gen. Horace
Porter. the grand marshal of the parade
in the course of which he wrote as follows:
1 want to say to you here, what I have
said to hundreds of persons that in all my
experience l have never seen committees
work SO harmonioCsly and effectually in
the preparation and conduct of inaugural
ceremonies as on the recent occasion The
ball room was the most magnificent sight
with the weather to help out even the
chronic fault-fnders had nothing to crit
icise adversely" - --
On motion of Mr.. R. Ross Perry reso-
luton thanking Mr.. Bell for the work he
had accomplished as chairman was unani-
mouSly adopted. and the meeting adjourned
10 partake of a handsome collation. at the
invitation of Chairman Bell The luncheon
was served in the civic committee room
and proved a most delightful conclusion
TO an altogether pleasant evening
battalion of Bright Boys,
Not the least energetic ard busy partici-
pants in the work of making the Inaugural
ton a success were little boys who formed
the battalion of messengers under COM
mand of Levi p Wright, chairman Of the
public comfort committee. They were
probably as bright set of youngsters as
could be enlisted at the national capital.
and were of excellent service in guiding
Inauguration visitors from the depots to
their quarters, well as In the other di-
rections that their duties called them. They
were mature ally happy when called upon to
sign the pay roll and receive the stipends
they were entitled to by reason of their
work A glance at the pay roll was Illus
trative to an emphatic degree of the men
tai Improvement that has been SO notice
able in recent years in the American small
boy The etghty-four signatures belong
ing to the little fellows were those of boys
of all colors, and yet every signature was
legible and distinct and % per cent of them
were written in the plain, undecorated YER
teal handwriting which is being so uni
versally commended by educators and bust
ness men alike