The morning times., 1897-03-03
M'KINLEY's NEW YEAR FETE
A Proposed Fantasy of Bells,
Cannon and Steam Whistles.
A SIGNAL GUN AND FLAG
The Novel Scheme 10 Be Suggested
To the COMMISSIONER Dissolv-
ing Views at Inaugural Headquar-
ters-Program III for the Presidents
Reception at the Pension Office.

When the President-elect kisses the Bible
tomorrow, taking the oath of office, there
win be some festive features, never be-
fore known in the history ofinaugurations
The installation OF the new President viii
be made popular function similar TO the
ringing in of the New Year.
The information was given last night at
be sent 10 the District Commissioners today
with the request for the privilege of having
the fire alarm rung at the auspiciouS
moment when the chief justice hands the
book to Ma jor Mckinley. The signal for
this iron monotone fantasia win be the
firing OF cannon at the south end of the
Capitol grounds. To this it is desired
TO add the blowing of steam whistles of
vessels in the haTbor, whistles Of looomo-
tiyesinrailroad yards, whistles in factories,
and, if the church authorities please, the
Ginning aud ringing of their bells.
The sound of the cannon is TO be the
prime signal, but it is also proposed TO
have flag signal on the dome of the
act OF osculation as far as the flag can
be seen.
II is not thought that there will be any
objection so far as the Commis ssioners are
concerned To the ringing OF bells and the
blowing OF whistles, or even TO the Chin
ing of the church bells 1t is well how
ever, that this notice be given, as this kind
of a demonstration, and especially of the
continuous performance or the fire alarm,
might be misconstrued.
This was the newest thing at headquar-
ters last night, where ali of the gentlemen
In charge said that the preparations for
the event are now all but complete.
Col Brakeman, chief of the grand mar
shal's staff, was nevertheless busy last
night, as he has been since the opening OF
his office here, making out the commissions
10 the officers and giving them copies of
the general orders, which have been pub
lished in The Times. An order affecting
the veterans Of Mckinley's regiment was
issued last night by G. A. Garretson, spe-
cial aide in charge of the military escort,
to Gen j. L. BCttsford, president of the
Tvenuy-third 0. V I. Association, as fol-
lows:
BY direction Of the chief marshal the
veterans of the Twenty third Regiment
viii assemble at the east front OF the
Capitol building at l O'Clock, Thursday,
March 4, to act as escort to the White
House Of President Mckinley.
Your formation viii be in column of
,latoons, twenty-four files front, directly
N rear OF the Presidents carriage. Flags
and badges Will be provided by Lieutenant
Kellam. and Grand Army hats should be
worn"
The scene OF greatest activity among
inaugural officers was at the ballroom.
This was inspected again last night by
Chairman Bell, who had with him as
companion of the tour Gov. Lowndes, Of
Maryland. The greatest part Of the work
done last night was, however, by the com
mttee on comfort at the ball, Capt. ]. E.
Bell personally in charge and directing.
The arrangements for the reception Of
the President, and for his reception OF
the people we're completed, and a sketch
of them Will be interesting.
President Mckinley and Mrs. Mckinley
and Wee President Hobart and Mrs. Ho-
bart VIII be received by Gen. Miles and
members OF the reception committee at
the south ent rance. They viii be con-
Quoted upstairs to the first balcony.
They viii pass an route To the Presidents
quarters the first room on the left, in
which VIII be assembled the diplomatic
corps. In the adjoining room, opening
on the corridor, VIII be the ladies OF
the diplomatic corps Next comes the
Vice Presidents room, which will be
filled by his special friends. The south
west room OF the building will be occu-
pied by the brilliant staff of Gen. Miles,
and adjoining this is the r resident room.
This latter has been decorated beautifully
in cloth OF gold Uinsel and, of course the
national oolors Among the curious arti-
cles Of decoration are some pieces of
ancient armor, Saracen swords, Irish
pixies, battle axes, shields, etc, from the
War Department
President Mckinley and Vice President
Hobart and their wives will stop at the
southeast angle Of the balcony, where a
handsome divan, richly upholstered, will
be placed. They will take their seats Oh
this for a review Of the crowd, and i'm
mediately after this the Presidential re-
ception will begin, the crowd passing west
down the south gallery and then up the
west gallery until all have been greeted
who desire TO salute the new ruler Of the
nation. After this function the President
and his party will pass down the west
flight of steps TO the ballroom floor and
viii proceed along the north side of the
haIl to the banquet room. The committee
rely on the unvarying courtesy Of the peo-
pie to permit the presidential party free
passage to the banquet room. There is
10 doubt that all possible will be done
4 m
smoothly as if by machinery. Capt. Bell
has under him us employees. The arrange
ments in the dressing-rooms will be as
heretofore and need no special mention
The executive committee will mcey on
the ballroom floor tonight, rs will also the
committee of floor management, under Mr.
Ed McCaUley, which latter Will have a
dress rehearsal. 1t is also expected Il at
the grand chorus under Prof. Percy Foster
will try their united voices in the Eall,
having alrcadyhad several reEearsaIs, which
promise a great popular treat.
The committee on carriages Mr.. Thomas
chairman, was on hand last
night. and issued final instructions in its
line of business.
Supt. Hart, of the Washington Gaslight
Company, was also among the busy men
at the immense building. 1t is proposed
to have seventy-eight jets Of full volume
each in a colored globe between the bal
comics, the arrangements for which win
be made today. Mr.. Bell said that if any
more electric light were needed, President
Thomas, Of the United States Electric
Light Company, would furnish it. There
viii bc final test of the illumination to-
night new feature was added to the
designs in Ii ght last night in the shape Of
q scroll high nn over the south front OF the