Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1897-03-19
INAUGURATION OF A PRESIDENT
How a Democracy Conducts Its
"Coromationn Ceremony.


/ Special Correspondence of the STANDARD.
Washington is at all times a most
popular resort for tourists, but once
i'll four years, when a new President is
induced into office, it is thronged by
hundreds OF thousands of visitors from
all parts of the country.
The Inauguration ceremonies were
originally very simple, but as years
have passed they have become more
and more imposing until the present
time, when they form the most impos-
ing pageants to he seen any where in
the United States.
Tradition says that Jefferson rode
on horseback up to the old Capitol
fence, htched his horse to post and
walked to the Capitol, where he took
the oath of office. Afterwards, sur
rounded by a group of friends similarly
mounted, he road to the Executive
Mansion. Now the ceremonies are
so great that preparations are begun
as soon as the result OF the election in
November are known.
The chairman of the National Com
mittec OF the victorious party i'm
mediately appoints as Chairman of the
Inauguration committee some promi-
nent business man of Washington,
and the wheels are put in motion. To
grease" the wheels aforesaid q SUBJ
scription book is opened, and usually
from $4,000 to $4,000 is subscribed
in few days.
This money is practically loan, as
after the ceremonies are over, the
committee usually has enough on
hand from concessions and ball tick
cts to repay every cent. advanced and
several thousand dollars to divide
among the various benevolent insti
tutions of the city.
The work of the numerous COM
mittees appointed is to carry to sue
cessful accomplishment two great
events-the Inauguration ceremony
and the inaugural ball.
The magnificent Pennsylvania Ave-
nue., one hundred and ten feet wide
between the curbs, forms an ideal
street for marching. All cars are
stopped for the day, and strong ropes
are stretched the whole length of the
avenue upon both sides.
At II o'clock the procession escort
ing the outgoing and incoming Presi-
dent starts for the capitol, the outgo-
ing President only responding to the
cheers of the multitude. This process
sion is composed almost wholly of de-
tachments of the regular army, and
is not more than mile or two long.
After the new President has taken
the oath Of office he returns with his
ascort to the Executive Mansion.
Upon his return he acknowledges the
greeting of the people, while the one
who has just relinquished the reins of
office simply rides as his guest. Upon
arriving at the Executive Mansion the
party ascend beautifully decorated
/
grand stand and review the big pro-
cession. This great procession is to
be seen once and remembered for
ever. 1t marches company front"
from about 10 o'clock until the shades
of evening fall. The regular army in
all its branches, militia regiments Of
all the various States, headed by the
Governors and civic organizations, all
uniformed. Brass bands by the hun
dred fill the air with music.
In the evening comes the "In-
augural ball" in the covered court of
the Pension Office. The term seems
to be misnomer, as with ten thous-
and people present, there is little
chance for dancing. The ticket, cost
50, and admit one person only. BY
previous arrangement with the Com
missioners, the cabmen are permitted
to charge $40, but no more for services
About midnight the President and
wife join the throng, promenade once
about the room and retire.
The decorations are sumptuous, and
the employees OF the Pension Office,
nearly two thousand in number, are
given whole weeks leave OF absence
to give the committee a chance to
work. This alone costs the govern
ment about $4,000 in loss OF salary.
Sometimes there is also display of
fireworks to crafty those who cannot
attend the ball. The only drawback (
is that in the first week of March the
weather is liable to be very bad.