The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-06
CROWDS DESERT THE CITY
The Inauguration Visitors Anxious
to Return Home.
Work of DemoIishing the Reviewing
Stands and Tearing Down the
Decorations Already BeEun-OnIy
n Few of the Soldiers neupin

w ork OF DemOiiShiug the Reviewing
Stands and Tearing Down the
Decorations Already BeEun-OnIy
n Few of the Soldiers Rcmpin.
Had a wholesale calamity been sched-
uled for Washington there could hardly
have been a greater desire to desert the
city than that which was displayed by
visitors yesterday Thousands OF faces
and thoughts were turned homeward.
And homeward TO the multitudes in the
National Capital meant an exodus in
every direction to all parts OF the coun-
try. Railroad tickets and baggage checks
received the attention which before had
been riveted on marching soldiers. wav-
ing flags. and brilliant illuminations
There was nothing to keep the visitors In
Washington. The President had taken
the oath of Office for n second time. The
Inauguration parade had drawn Itself
from the Capitol to the White House, and
society had paid its tribute to the occa-
sion through the medium of the Inaugu-
raj Bali. Even the weather frowned upon
the visitors, and they were as n rule
weary of the whole thing and anxious to
get away.
Railroad stations were the magnets
gether yesterday only TIC =or7-stz n
widely again on outgoing trains. There
was striking contrast in the appearance
Of the crowds yesterday as compared
with those of Sunday and Monday Near
ly every one wore a rather tired express
sion. 1t was going-home crowd-glad to
get away.
The streets were filed all day with
ma et inc
along with the brisk martial step There
was no longer the erect carriage. Neither
did the bands that led the regiments play
so often or with so much vigor as they
did when anxious to notify all Washing
ton they had arrived. The average militia
man is doubtless good fighting stock, but
his only campaigning, as a rule, comes
in the summer time during a two-weeks'
stay in camp. Consequently, long wait
like that of Monday at the Capitol and
the subsequent march are not calcu-
lated to leave him in a clipper mood
Many of the columns moved along with
their alignment sadly out of form, and
the soldiers carried their muskets in al
most any position without word of pro-
test from officers Once at the station
the various commands boarded special
trains and appeared supremely content
when the signal was given to leave the
depot
to Washington are making a wild break
for their homes. But a large proportion
OF them are. And when the Inauguration
crowds have departed the Congressman
and Senator's with their families, will be-
gin to pack up. 1t won't be long before
Washington settles into the rut it general
ly follows when Congress is not in ses-
sion.
Trbara ara , Ioroa p,,,obar ~ eoIj;.r,
still in Washington who were left behind
when their respective regiments depart
ed. Each soldier was told when his regi-
ment was supposed to leave, but no
further effort WAS made to get them to
the train. The transportation of near
all the commands WAS in block form, and
If a militiaman was left behind he had
no way to get home unless he paid his
money with which to purchase tickets
nor the inclination to walk, and they are
still in Washington.
Everywhere about the city it was ap-
parent that great celebration was on
the wane The decorations on every side,
so bright on Monday, were dimmed by the
rough treatment of the wind and rain on
which Prof. Moore steked his reputation
would not come and on which he lost
The hundreds of flags which but short
time before flew gayly before the wind
were bedragsled and hung Imply in the
damp air. The huge stands at various
points on the Avenue were objectiTe
points for parties Of workmen who began
to demolish them. In day or so they
will be RACED to the ground. and one of
the most distinctive features of the IN
auguration ceremonies will be oblterated
Private stands in front of stores were
quickly torn down. Decorations which
had graced the fronts of buildings were
removed, and about the mercantile houses
the sober air of bushes replaced the les
tive air Of celebration.
The Court OF Honor. the browning
architectural feature of the Inauguration,
will not feel the touch of a workman s
hand until tomorrow. Tonight will be
the last time 1t is illuminated. Last night
despite the mercurys low standing and
the chill winds it was popular point
and WAS thronsed with spectators.
Last night the downtown streets We're
not more crowded nor did they present a
more festal aspect than is usual on any
other night Of the year. There were not
so many Nominations as there had been
previously. The merchants of Washing
ton made more elaborate electrical dis
plays this year than ever before, but with
the ceremonies over there was an inclina-
ton to dispense with the electrical eff
fects. some of which were very costly.
The police had what was comparative
" a night of rest for the tUmultucus
troubles of the preceding night We're not
repeated Occasionally soldier or sailor
would create a disturbance, but the gen.
eral business at the downtown precincts
was but .IIlle heavier than on any Satur-
day night.