The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-03-07
SECOND TERM BEGINS
Grand Ball Winds UP McKin-
ley's Second Inaugural.
MARRIED BY FIRST LADY'S ILLNESS.
Parade Following Administration of
the Oath One of the Finest Ever
Seen In wasbington--sccne
at the Cnpitol.

w NASIllNGlON, March D.-Ihe one
Incident to throw a sort of gloom over
the general festivities of inauguration
day came at the grand ball, wlsn Mrs.
Mckinley, the first lady of the land,
suddenly became indisposcd. The prcsi-
dent would not leave her, and so the
grand march, for which all was ready,
bad to be given up. Mrs. Mckinley s
condition was not serious, but the ex-
element of the day had served to un-
nerve her.
The eliminating event of the inaugu-
raj festivities was the inaugural ball,
held in the vast auditorium of the PEN
sion office.
When the doors of the great structure
were thrown open at s o'clock, an eager
crowd bcsieged every entrance and lines
oi carriages stretched into the surround
ing streets and avenues. Platoons of po-
lice mounted and unmounted, guarded
the outer entrances, keeping back the
rush of curious spectators and bringing
order out of the tangle of carriages.
Through the long arched entrance, hung
with bunting and vines, passed the mer-
ry, pleasure seeking throng, the women
In luxurious gowns with the flash of
jewels in their hair and at their throats.
began to take on lice and animation. The
presidential party was not to arrive until
$3.50 o'clock and the early comers busted
themselves in viewing the exquisite beau
ties of the scene.
The decorations of the ballroom had
yellow for their predominant tone. No
cumbersome effects of light or color were
In evidence, but above and on all sides
ETrpftDpH a pip
low bunting that covered the walls and
skylight and was broken only where the
lining of the presidents balcony at the
west end stood out white in bold relief
Myriads of yellow electric bulbs glowed
and blnked like firefles in the garlands
of green that intwined the scores of pill
lars supporting 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
Ia the center of each side of the immense
crowded hall.
The big fountain in the center of the
ball held a billowy mass of the purple
bouganvillea, the flower of the Philip
pines. In the midst rose tall palms aud
ferns bearing scores of yellow light
blossoms, and around the border fringed
with the white spirea were placed gilded
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 ex-
ecntive's stand flashed big shield of
hand embroidered silk topped with fine
stuffed specimens Of the great American
eagle.
Down at the eastern end was the big |
stand erected for the musicians. 1t com.
prised an upper and lower story, the
former for the stringed orchestra and |
the latter for the accommodation of the |
big inaugural chorus and the brass band. |
Back of the singers and musicians was |
4 great gilded sounding board which |
threw the strains of sound to all parts |
Of the big hall.
The expense of the decorations entire
Is set down at about $4,000 The floral |
and electric decorations alone came TO |
nearly $4,000, there being no less than |
$4,000 electric lights involved in the |
THE PARADE.
Never has an inaugural parade In |
passed off with as little
Friction and with the general picturesque
snect that accompanied the great pageant
That served as President McKinley's and |
Vice President Roosevelt's escort to the |
White House after they had taken the
1ath of office under the shadow of the |
,npitol The police arrangements
throughout were exceptionally effective
The inaugural committee had provided |
durable barrier of iron posts and wire ca
Bile along both sides of Pennsylvania
avenue from the Peace monument TO |
Seventeenth street and succeeded in alb
solutely keeping clear the line of march
Tor the first time in the history of in
,ugural displays in Washington. This |
barrier was not broken through at any
point during the whole day, and the
troops were able to march in extended
thereby adding to the beauty
>f the display and the speed with which
he procession was enabled to pass n
given point. The start was made from
he capitol about 2:15 o'clock, and the
asst of the civic organizations had pass
I'd the reviewing stand at the White
House little before 6 O'Clock Consid-
sring the weather conditions the parade
N point of numbers closely approximated
-he official forecast. The promptitude
With which it was handled by the grand
marshal was decidedly above the average
Tor such an event
One of the unique features of the mill
Lary display was a battalion of the Por-
10 Rican regiment recently organized in
Dur island possession and recruited from
among the native population. They were
not to be distinguished from the other
regular infantry regiments except by
their swarthy compilations and evidences
n thsir marching of an enthusiasm that
won them continuous applause along the
ine of march. Their welcome was of
the warmest
THE REVIEWING STAND.
The enthusiasm which had greeted the
president and vice president along the
entire length of the avenue on their re-
turn from the capitol to, take their places
On the reviewing stand reached climax
when their carriages, preceded by Troop
A Of Cleveland, were seen turning into
the court of honor from Fifteenth street.
at that moment the thousands seated in
the stands stretching from Fifteenth to
Seventeenth streets rose in their places