The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1901-03-08
BRILLIANT SCENES
AT INAUGURAL BALL.
THE MOST SPLENDID EVENT OF ITS
KIND EVER GIVEN,
Seorgoous Decoration Scheme Crowds in
Elegant Attiro ThronRed tho Spacious
Auditorium OF tho Big Pension
Building.
[The State. I

washington, March 4.-The on
tertalnlng evont of tho inaugural
festivities was the inaugural ball,
held tonight in tho vast auditorium
OF the pension Office. with the presi-
dent and Mrs Mckinley leading in
tho grand march and with mon and
women distinguished in every walk Of
life touching elbows, dancing and
mIngling with tho plain American
citizen. AS q spectacular event it was
unparalleled in tho history of inaugu.
raj balls, in the sumptuousness Of
arrangements, in tho bewildering
splendor of decorations and Of maryo.
lous electrical effects, and in tho
countless throng taking part in the
spectacle.
When the floors of tho great struc.
ture were thrown open at 8 o'clock,
an eager crowd besicgod every en-
trance and lines Of CARRIAGES stretch
ed INTO the surrounding streets and
avenues. Platoons of police officers,
guarded the entrances. Through
the long archod entrances, hung with
bunting and vines, passed the merry
pleasure seeking throng, tho women
IN luxurious gowns, with tho flash
of jewels in their hair and at their
throats. Soon the vast int erior Of the
building began to take on life and
animation.
GREAT WHITE THRONE.
A wavy, ripping canopy of yellow
butting covering the walls and sky
light and WAS broken only where the
lining of the presidents balcony at
the west ond stood out white in bold
relief. Myraids of yollow electric bulbs
glowed and blinkod like firehies in the
garlands of green that ontwined tho
scores of pillors supporting the galler-
los and shone out from the stars and
bars the big American shields which
hung high amid clusters of American
flags. The big fountain in tho centre
Of the hall held a billow mass of the
purple bouganvilla, tho flower of the
Philippines. In the midst rose tall
palms and ferns bearing scores of yell
low light blossoms, and around the
border, frInged with the white spires
were placed urns Of growing plants
and flowers,
A great gilded sounding boardb back
of the musicians balcony threw the
strains Of sound to all parts of the
hall.
No less than 70 stars, formed each
OF II frosted electric globes, were sot
between the arches on the ground
floor and shown radiant through net
work of greens.
The effectin the upper balconies va
ried somewhat. Flowers we're every.
where in p. p.ofusion. OF to the side, on
the second balcony were the presi-
dents room, the diplomatic room and
40 other rooms appropriately ombell-
ished for public reception and promo
made. Tho presidents room was en-
tirely IN white and made beautiful with
ribbons, white orchids and green's The
other rooms held to the all -porvadiDg
yellow. In the diplomatic reception
room the flags Of all nations we're clus.
tered.
The expense of the decorations, en-
tire, is set down at about $45,000. No
less than $1,000 electric lights were
involved.
THE ROYAL PARTY.
The presidential party arrived at
1O:15 o'clock. They were preceded by
glittering array Of officers in full uni
form were and escorted to the private
Office Of Commissioner Evans which
l. RI ham Ia uiol,1,y Il