Evening star., 1901-03-05
INAUGURAL BALL
Pension Office a Bower
of Beauty.
BE AU TIFUL EFFECTS
The President and Mrs. Nc
Kinley View the Event.
OTHER DISTINGUISHED PERSONS
OTHER DISTINGUISHED PERSONS
Many Handsome Women in Su-
perb TOILETS Grace the Occasion.
D A n cling A r E A l. I 7 Y

From long custom the inaugural ball has
grown to be almost as much a part of the
ceremonies Of Inauguration day as the in
augural address itself. 1t is the quadren-
NAL tribute of politics to society There
have been but few intermissions in the Sc
ries OF inaugural balls since the days of
James Madison, period which covers
ninety-tWo years. Martin Van Buren, had
two balls given in his honor but he at
tended only one
The brief term of William Henry Harri-
son was ushered in by no less than three
balls, and with punctlious courtesy he at
tended them all. and at one of them danced
with Mrs. Seaton, wife of the editor of the
National Inteligencer. Polk had two balls
something like the Bryan dinners of recent
memory, one a $40 ticket and the
other at 8. The last was numerously at
tended. and was marked by great disorder.
Zachary Taylor, who, like the first Har-
rison, died before his term of office expired
had, like him, three balls given in his
honor, and was equally impartial, attending
all of them. Pierce-'Poor Pierce" as his
contemporaries became accustomed to call
hm-wound up his Inauguration in snow
storm, and had no ball. With the advent
Of Buchanan the plan was put in operation
auguration day under single roof, and
his inaugural ball was held In a frame
structure erected annex to the city
hall in judiciary Square. Lncon's inaugu-
ration called for the construction Of a sim
liar building in the same reservation but
the President oppressed by his responsible
tiles, did not attend.
Grant Inaugural Ball.
Grants first inaugural ball was given in
the uncompleted north wing of the treasury
building. Grant and Vice President Colfax
were both present, with their wives and
the crush was something tremendous. Hor-
ace Greeley, who four years after was to
oppose Grant in the national campaign was
present in behalf of his paper, the New
York Tribune. When he had become sa-
tiated with the scenes and incidents suffi-
cicntly to squeeze out a striking story he
essayed to leave the building, but got caught
in the crowd, and was held helpless In
limb, while free vocally, for two hours,
only securing his release when too late to
write his description to the Tribune.
Both crowd and weather caused discom-
fort at Grants second inaugural ball This
was held in a frame structure erected in
Judiciary Square. on 4th street north Of
street, which then divided judiciary Square.
Despite the intensely cold weather, which
compelled women to wear wraps and furs
and men their overcoats in the ball ROOM
there was an immense crowd. Those who
took supper found the salads on a par with
the ices so far as tempera ture was con-
cerned, and coffee that left the kitchen hot
reached the guest cold.
The delay in settling the dispute over the
title of President Hayes prevented an In
augural ball in his honor.
Garfields ball was held in the incomplete
National Museum, whose vast proportions
with the arches, dome and corridors, af-
fcrded facilities for making the ball the
most imposing affair of it's kind ever wit
messed up to that time.
With the first Inauguration of Cleveland
the inaugural ball was held in the great
court of the pension building. and no place
in the world is believed to be equal to It
for the purpose. The subsequent balls at
tendant upon the inaugurations of Presi-
dent Harrison, President Cleveland. the
second time, and President Mckinley have
all been held here, on scales of increasing
splendor, but none has been equal to that |
Of last night. !
Experience Put to Excellent Use.
The experience Of past years had equip |
ped those having charge of the arrange
ments for the accommodation and comfort |
Of the guests, and, more important, the dec
orative features had been utilized to ap-
plaudable effect. There was an abundant |
number of apartments for the convenience |
Of the guests. whereas on former occasions |
there had been lamentable dearth of such |
resting or conversing spots. For those in |
clined to dancing floor, waxed to perfec- |
ton. had been provided, instead of the tiles |
over which the votaries of Terpsichore had |
been previously compelled to struggle. The
music stand was at the east end of the |
hall, instead of being divided into two
stands for orchestra and band respectively.
and the elimination of the construction in
the middle part of the court made the deco |
rative Identification more effective. The
decorations of President McKinley's first |
ball were exquisite from every point Of |
view, and it was deemed difficult in the
early contemplation of its work by the
on decorations of the ball room
for them to be equaled, much less than
surpassed. They were surpassed, however.
superb and Sumptuous.
Superb was the scene that greeted tho