Waterbury Democrat., 1901-03-05
THE INAUGURAL BALL.
Grand March Dispensed With Because
 of Mrs McKinley's Indisposition.

ing the inauguration or treSlQent Mc' kinIey was the inaugural ball, held last night in the vast auditorium or the pension office. AS spectacular event it was unparalleled in the his tory of inaugural balls. Soon after o'clock the vast interior of the build ing began to take on life and anima- ton. The early corners busted them selves in viewing the exquisite beau ties of the scene.
 The one incident to throw a sort of gloom over the general festivities came when Mrs Mckinley. the first lady of the land, suddenly became in- disposed. The president would not leave her, and so the grand march, for which all was ready, had to be given up. Mrs McKInleys condition is not serious, but the excitement of the day had served to unnerve her.
 The decorations of the ball room had yellow for their predominant tone. No cumDersome effects of light or color sides stretched a wavy. ripping cano- py of yellow bunting that covered the walls and sky-light and was broken only where the lining of the presidents balcony at the west end stood out white in bold relief. Myriads of yell low electric bulbs glowed and blinked like 1ref1ies in the 2arlands of green that entwined the scores of pillars sup porting the galleries and shone out from the stars and bars of the big American shields, which in the midst of clusters of American flags, hung high up in the center of each side of the immense crowded hall.
 This scheme of decoration with yell 1nyv os fba all -nraS1 h m rrO finp o01nr yyas a radical departure from the decorative plan at the last inaugural ball. Then three great floral bells, studded with colored lights, were the most promi- nent feature of the work. This year the soft light effect given by the broad expanse of golden color everywhere was in sharp and favorable contrast. The subdued yellow from the thou sands of frosted electric bulbs made the great hall as bright as at mid day.
 The big fountain in the center of the hall held a pillow mass of the n"rnle bouganvllea, the flower of the Philippines. In the midst rose tall palms and ferns bearing scores of yell low light blossoms. and around the border. frineed with the white spires, were placed golden urns of growing plants and flowers.
 In the extreme west of the hall stood the presidents balcony. decked with groups of Roman wreaths and clusters of American beauty roses bound with bright colored ribbons. Above the executives stand flashed a big shield of hand-embroidered silk. topped with fine stuffed specimen of the great American eagle.
 Down at the eastern end was the Id. fn1 P0v h0 1i< It comprised an upper and lower story, the former for the stringed or chestra and the latter for the accom- modation of the big inaugural chorus and the brass band. Back of the singers and musicians was great glded sounding board which threw the sounds to all parts of the big hall. Tn front stood beautiful design sym holic of the muse of melody in the shape of a giant green Tyre, with strings of purple ribbons and on either side cross musical instrumentS-on the left a lute and trumpet and on the right a guitar and plpe-all fashioned of green lencothe with strings of pur- pie.
 The balrstrades and archways pre- sented a brilliant scene. No less than seventy-six stars formed each of eleven frosted electric globes. were set be- tween the arches on the ground floor and shone radiant through a network of green against the background. glfnting with powdered glass. Sus- pended beneath each star and below draped festoons of smilax were shiIn- maring tratlers of green and electric bulbs tipped with a yellow globe. The gilt pillars were enshrouded in vines and green and above the bright cir II op 1.rrh% t1,,& n1 placed invisible boxes of growing tuliDs, daffodils. aZaleas and jonOuils. In the second balcony the same scheme of decOrn ton was carried out, except ing that in lieu of the stars were hung electric lights in clusters of three. GOV cred with soft yellow transDa rent pa ner and producing 8 beautiful effect. Back under the balconies. on the ground and second floors. wreaths of green were hung at regular intervals, linked by loops of vines and smilax.
 Sevanty-six additional posts had been
 placed on the top balcony, each one surmounted by a glowing bulb of light Between them and bordering
 the railing of the balcony all the way around were boxes of cut and growing
 flowers In great Drofusion of color.
 Two endless chains of light studded
 green below the balconies looDed and swung completely around the immense
 hall and hive of brilliant yellow
 globes. each trailing straamer alive
 with tiny glow liehts. Off to the side.
 on the second balconies. were the
 presidents room. the diplomats room
 and forty other rooms appropriately embellIshed for public reception and
 promenade. The presidents room was
 draDed entirely in white and made
 beautiful with pink ribbons, white orchids and greens. The other rooms
 held to the all prevailing yellow, deco rated with flowers and smilax.
 l Tn the diplomatic reception room the flags of all nations were clustered and | intertwined and lent a brilliant back ground for the gorgeous uniforms and l regalia of the diplomatic officials. | Alongside the main building had been | built large dining hall. decorated in | red and white and hung with greens. The expense of the decorations en- l fire is set down at about Sl3.OOO.s The | floral and electric dacorstfons alone | came to nearly 800 nnO thar, being no