The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-03-08
OF Inauguration Cere-
monies at the Capital
THE INAUGURAL BALL
President and Wife and Vice
President and Wife and
Others, Members Of
Party. -.

v
ating event of the inaugural festivl-
ties was the inaugural ball. held last
night In the vast auditorium or the
pension office. AS n spectacular event
1t was unparalleled In the history OF
inaugural balls, In the sumptuousness
of arrangement, In the bewilderins
splendor of decorations and Of mary
elous electrical effects. and of the
countless throng taking part In the
spectacle.
When the doors of the great 'struc-
ture were thrown open about 3
o'clock an eager crowd besieged every
entrance, and lines of carriages
stretched into the surrounding streets
and avenues. Platoons of police otti
GERS, mounted and unmounted, guard
ed the outer entrances, keeping back
the rush of curious spectators and
bringing order out of the tangle of
carriages. Through the long arcbed
entrances. hung with bunting and
vines, passed the merry, pleasure
seeking throng, the women In luxuri.
Gus gowns, with the flash of jewels
in their hair and at their throats.
Soon the vast interior Of the build
ing began to take on life and anima
ton.
The United States Marine band and
an orchestra of over a hundred pieces
were stationed at one end of the hail.
and for about an hour before the ar
rival of the presidential party played
patriotic airs.
The presidential party arrived about
1915 o'clock. They were preceded
by glittering array of officers in
full uniform and were escorted to the
private offices of Commissioner Evans,
which had been lavishly decorated.
The president bowed and smiled as
he passed through the thrOng. Sena-
tor and Mrs. Hanna, Lieutenant Gen
eral and Mrs. Miles, several of the
justices Of the supreme court, with
their wives, and a number of the cab
met circle Joined the party upstairs.
The crowds on the Ihdin floor had
been pushed back to fIake room for
the grand march, and the band was
ready to break into the openin.;
strains of the march, from Tam
hauser. But word came that Mrs
Mckinley was indisposed and that
the president would remain by her
side. The march consequently was
abandoned. The band struck up
Strauss blue Danube" and the first
regret Of the assemblage Mt missing
the grand march, with the president
and the first lady of the land at It's
head, gave way before the whirl OF
gayety on the ball room floor. Vice
President and Mrs. Roosevelt arrived
about the time the president came
in. After. paying their respects to
the president and holding an informal
levee amid the groups of governors,
officers, senators and distinguished
officials, the vice president and his
wife proceeded to the bah room floor
Now the scene was at its height
Under the golden canopy and tn daz-
zling filigree of lights moved the
shifting throngs-women In exquisite
toilets, dowagers and matrons In rare
old laces, buds and debutantes 10
dainty Paris creations. With them
were officials distinguished In every
branch Of public life, grave supreme
court justices. governors of states
surrounded by their brilliantly uni.
formed staffs and aides, ambassadors
and ministers In gold lace and decora-
tions. the highest ranking officers OF
the army. navy and marine corps,
senators and representatives, officers
Of Troop A, the presidents crack or.
ganization, In uniforms of Austrian
Huzzars. AS the. orchestra and band
alternated, this ever moving throng
Joined In promenade and dance, max
ing a vast Kaleidoscope picture.
President Mckinley held an in
formal reception In the upper corridor,
Lieutenant General Miles. acting as
chief of the reception committee to
escort distinguished guests to til pres
ident. ~ pr,ts
Mrs. McKinley's indlsposition was
Of brief duration and she was soon
able to join the president and the
brilliant assemblage in an embowered
box overlooking the gay throngs be.
low. The president coupled q seat Mt
the right near the rail, with Mrs. Nc
Ainley ut his side. To their left sat
Vice President and Mrs. Roosevelt.
Near the vice president was Governor
Odell, Of New York, while grouped
further back were Major General
Corbin. Admlrals Bradford ana
Crowninshield, Secretary Root. Jus.
tices Harlan and Gray, Senator Lodge.
Governor Stone, Of Pennsylvania, and
many ladies' Of the cabinet, army,
navy and official set.
The presidential party and Vice
President and Mrs. Roosevelt left the
hall ahnut 10.1k oyolnoL nosn.n lo..,