New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-20
NO BALL IN THE CAPITOL
HOUSE KILLS THE PLAN.
Lirely Fight Orer Place for Hold
ing the Inaugural affair.

Washington, Dec. 19.-The House of Repre-
sentatives to-day emphatically disapproved the
proposition TO hold the inaugural ball in the
Capitol. The committee having the subject in
charge had substituted the Library of Congress
for the Pension Building, provided for by
Senate resolution. but Mr.. Morrell, Of Pennsyl-
vania. who called the resolution up. announced
that the opposition to the latter building was so
great that the committee had decided to sub
stitute the Capitol. a storm of protests came
from both sides OF the chamber The resolu-
ton offered by Mr.. Morrell was voted down. the
result being delay action until the next Dis
trict Of Columbia day, in January The effect
Of the vote will probably be to cause the Dis
trict Of Columbia Committee to withdraw it's
amendment and accept the Senate provision to
hold the ball in the Pension Building
Mr.. MorrelI gave several reasons for not agree
Ing with the Senate to use the Pension Building
among them being the enormous number Of val
liable documents which would have 20 be dis
arranged. the risk of fire and the fact that
business would be practically suspended for a
month The Capitol, he argued. was an ideal
place for the ball on account OF having its own
police force. its own heating and lighting plants,
broad corridors and rotunda and many exits.
Mr.. Williams. of Mississippi, said 1t would
be petty and spiteful TO raise an objection at
this time 10 using a government building for
the bail. but called attention to a promise by
the people Of the District Of Columbia given to
committees Of Congress, that they would build
suitable place in which .his quadrennial affair
should be held. He criticised inaugural COM
rlittees for having refased IN the past to re-
store 70 their original condition reservations or
public spaces occupied by stands or other
structures. An amendment offered by him was
adopted requiring the inaugural committee TO
n air oil
done.
Explaining that his objection was not based
on President RooseveIts personality, Mr.. Baker.
of New-York, said that If the custom Of mixing
Up public I1ties with social functions was a
wrong one, II the duty Of the House 10 on
pose that function, regardless Of the fact that
II had been the custom one hundred years or
more. What he objected 10, ne said was few
individuals setting together for their own So
cial prestige" It created class distinctions and
was undenocratic. he said.
Having got rid OF a saloon in the CAPITOL"
interjected Mr.. Sims, OF Tennessee. we don't
want to turn it into a ballroom"
Mr., Thayer, of Massachusetts, said the only
place where the ball could be held with regal
spien3or' was the Pension Building" II want
10 know he inquired, in whose fertile mind
originated the idea Of turning the Capitol into a
canoe hall or ball hall for one single nightw
Il would. he said. be beneath the dignity Of the
American people TO hold the ball in the Capitol
Nj Pou. Of North Carolina, believed the cere-
G5nT should not be conducted in A niggardly
nanuel- and favored the plan TO use the Capt.
70.
NT. Gaines, OF Tennessee. said that if the
bail was TO be held at all, 1T should be held de-
Gently and in proper order" He favored the
Pension Building.
III. Baker convulsed the House by referring
L. Nj Thayers use of the word regal" Il am
opposed he said, Ito anything being done in
his country in a regal, kiagly manner" He
wanted il done in a democratic and simple man
nsr. He then turned his attention to the Presi-
cent. al6 said he was impressed that the great
e.. authority in advocacy Of the simple life
should have such ardent friends upon this floor
Demanding that he be inaugurated in a regal
manner Mr.. Baker put the House in an up
roar when he declared that the object Of the
hall vas 70 give opportunity to the wealthy Ito
parade their jewels. their gowns and their fnery
- that il can go all the United States
.hat Mrs.. Tom Jones attended the Presidents
hal. and that she was arrayed in such and such
AaerE. which is believed 10 have cost 50 900"
b an emphatic no" the House voted down
- resolution. and II went back to the calen-
CAT = can be brought UP again District Of
Columbia Day, which will be the second Mon
CAV In January, unless a special rule or some
other arrangement is made for prior considera-
tio1.
Tie House adjourned until Wednesday. On
naI day Congress VIII adjourn until Janu-
ar for the holiday recess.