The Washington times., 1901-11-17
FAIRS AT THE CAPITOL.
Social Events Which Have Been
Held in the Great Building.
Three nec=='ons When the Rotunds
Was Given over to Charitable Pur.
poses-rhe 'sTea Party and Gar-
Held Memorial Bnzaar-Gav sc.n.

field Memorial Bnznar-Gav s..
Among the numerous measures to ba
brought to the attention of Congress- n,
the coming session is a proposition for
the enlargement OF the Capitol. II is
heid by several members OF the Senate
ana House that some alterations should
De made in the magnificent building
which would permit state and soc al
events to be held there. The InaugursIb
bah is selected as one social eveutr
which should be held beneath the dome
OF the great structure and public re-
ceptions and other functions. it is.e aim
ed, should be celebrated In the Cant
toi instead of the overcrowded White
House
IL IS a notable fact that only upon
three occasions in the past. has the
Sapltol been used for festivities of a
Social nature. In each instance, the pur-
pose was TO raise money for a charit-
able and meritorious cause. The first
OF these gala events was the ~Centen-
NAL Tea Celebration or "certenniaI
Tea Party, as it was more generally
! called, held on the evenings of the 1sth
ana lf'h of December. ls14. Like many
similar entertainments of the kind held
throughout the country at that time.
lts purpose was to awaken interest in
the coming Centennial Exhibition in
! Philadelphia in 1876. and to raise funds
Tor some OF the proposed exhibits. The
Rotunda was the principal scene of the
I fete, though the old Hall of RepreseE-
tatlves was also open to visitors. In the
latter apartment the Marine Band was
stationed
! A striking feature of the entertain
ment was the costume adopted by the
ladies who presided over the thirteen
tables, they being attired in the style OF
the eighteenth century. with powdered
hair and patches on their checks. The
Liberty Bell. the history of which is
well known. was on exhibition at one
OF the booths. over the door leading
from the Rotunda to Statuary Hall was
miniature ship, representing the
Dartmouth. Two boys, dressed in In
dian costumes, stood ready to throw
the tea, with which the mimic ship was
laded into Boston Harbor, figuratively
speaking The presence of a band of
Navajo Indians. with General Ardy, at
tracted much interest from the throng.
King Kalakaua, then in this city. was
expected. hut sent his regrets. His >.
suite, however, were present, occupying
places upon a rostrum during the ad.
dresses.
On Saturday evening May G. 1852. the.
Garfield Fair was held at the CAPITOL.
and realized for its worthy object sew
efaI thousand dollars. The price of ad-
mission was 81. The Rotunda was oc-
cIpied by thirteen booths. divided
among the various States, and bearing
their coats-of-arms. The ladies' who pre-
sized over the tables on this occasion
adopted variety of quaint costumes.
including that of the Puritan maids.
President Arthur was present. and the
diplomatic and official circles were well
represented A feature of the fair WAS
promenade concert, and dancing was
ihdulged In in the old Hail of Repre-
sentatives
The Garfield Monument Committee.
Society Of the Army of the Cunber
land, held in the Rotunda from Noyeu,-
Der %, to December 3, 1852, what they J..
called the National Art and Industrial
Exposition" the object being to raise
fund to aid in the erection of a statue
IN this city to the memory of President
GARFIELD. AT o'clock on the afternoon
Of the first day. President Arthur ap-
peared, escorted by John w Thompson.
Chairman OF the Board of Directors.
Ihen followed from the Senate wing.
where they had assembled with the
Executive, the Justices of the Supreme
Court IN their judicial robes, the DipIo-
matte Corps in court dress, the officers
OF the army and of the navy, with
their staffs, the Garfield guard of honor.
members of the Society of the Army OF
the Cumberland. and a number of the
members of Congress. including Speak
er Keifer. and Senators Logan ard
Sherman. They all took places in tie
east half of the Rotunda, which had
been cleared for them, the President
and members of the Cabinet occupying
seats on platform. The Marine Band
rendered selection, and a prayer was
offered by the Chaplain of the House,
the Rev. F. D. Power The President
then declared the exposition duly open
ed TO the public after which he held
On this occasion the walls of the Ro-
tunda were draped with maroon coiored
cloth to height some distance above
the historical paintings, which were
first boarded over. This afforded ample
space for the hanging of the pictures
exhibited. The huge circular hall it 8
self was divided into four sections by
aisles intersecting at the centre, where
were exhibited statuary. pottery, and
other interesting art treasures. In the
centre of the room. on the spot where
Gartield's remains lay in state a little
over year before, stood a bronze
Gothic temple. containing a colossal
bust Of the martyred President about
the base of which living plants were
tastily arranged, over the bust, a
swinging lantern Of handsome design
was kept burning.
Statuary Hall was turned into IA ba-
zaar. and here were arranged the state
booths. where, under the direction of
ladies, an array Of flowers. fancy work.
bric-a- brac, and bon bons were sold
The old hall ON that occasion presented
a brilliant spectacle. the multitude of
lights among the stately columns and
statues. the gay DECORATIONS the con-
stant ripple Of laughter, gave an anima-
ton to the beautiful and historic apart
ment which 1t had lacked for many a
day. Flowers and potted plants formed