The news & observer., 1901-02-24

President will make public address
from platform on the east steps of the
Capitol. He will then re-enter his car
riage and be escorted to the special re-
viewing stand at the corner of the
White House grounds, where the par
ade will file past in line with the ban
ners flying and bands playing. About
100 bands will be in line and about
three hours win be consumed in march
ing past
The administering OF the oath will not
differ in any respect from the usual
form of this solemn ceremony.
In front of the White House a grand
court of honor is in course of erection,
comprising four enormous stands, artis-
tically constructed with handsome
arches Three of these are for the
public and the fourth is the Presidents
reviewing stand, which will accommo-
date about 900 invited guests-the Su-
preme Court, the heads Of the military
and naval forces, legislators, diplomats
etc. The court of honor will prove a
vision of fairy splendor, and at night
will be in blaze of illumination.
The President will review the parade
and then will afford q special reception
10 the old veterans under General
Sickles, who will be drawn up on the
White House grounds and will shake
hands with the Chief Executive, who
will leave the reviewing stand specially
to greet his old comrades.
The line of march will be along Penn
sylvania avenue, every house on which
will be gorgeously festooned and de-
corated.
After the review the President will
enter the executive mansion and lunch
with a number of friends. In the even
ing Washington will be in blaze of
glory.
The lofty court Of the great building
in which is the Pension Office win be
the scene of the inaugural ball. which
will be attended by the President, Mrs.
Mckinley, Vice President Roosevelt,
Lieutenant General Miles, Admiral
Dewey and other distinguished men.
This ball is arranged at a cost Of $42,
900. of which $4,000 is spent for decora-
tions, flowers, electric illumination, etc
Two orohestras will discourse the
music for the ball and promenade con-
certs-one of setenty men, the Marine
Band, and one of 100 men, playing
stringed instruments. The cost of the
music alone is So, 900.
The President will hold an informal
reception at the ball, wholly social
Twelve thousand persons can move
about in the Pension building without
unduly jostling one another.
The decorative work is done by New
York firm, the floral by Small, of New
York and Washington.
In the meantime the crowds of visi-
tors will be entertained by the gorgeous
display of fireworks, which will be free
to all. on the great expanse of lawn in
the rear Of the White House on which
stands the Washington Monument.
This is practically the scope of the
inauguration ceremonies for March 4th,
the pomp included with the political in
cidents. But there will be entertain
ments and concerts for several nights
after the Inauguration, and visitors will
find enough to engage their interest in
Washington for week at least
These engagements are all in the
hands of the Citizens Committee, under
Mr.. John Joy Edison. one of the leading
business men of the National Capital.
who has associated with him a staff of
citizens who have had experience in
preparing for similar events. Ever
since the inauguration of President
jefferson the preparations have been
entrusted to the hands of a citizens