The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-01-03

First Inaugural Bali IL Washington
Held On March 4. 1909.
The inaugural balls of the past from
the time of that celebrating the second
installation of President Washington in
1893 to the great event in the Pension
office building in honor of Mr.. Mckinley
in 1901, reveal a gradual increase in
s%plendor, commensurate with the
growth and expansion of the nation.
They were never simple affairs, even
II the days when the city Of Washing
t n resembled one Of the Western prai-
RE towns of a latter day, but were al
ways the most important social func-
tons attracting the brilliancy and beau
ty Of the nation. Nearly all prepara-
lions, or lack OF them, reflected in large
measure the character or the admins
tratiOn to be i~naugurated, as i~nstanced
in the case of Jefferson, when no ball
at all was held. Later on, not content
with one grand social affair.", two and
three were held.
THE FIRST INAUGURAL DANCE.
It was not long after the formation of
the government that the custom of
holding inaugural balls began. Just
prior to the celebration Of W~ashington's
second election in Philadelphia the fol-
lowing ard was inserted in the papers
of that city.
The members of the SENATE and of the
House of Representatives of the United
States are respectfully invited to a ball
on the 4th of March, 1893, to be given
by Dancing Assembly, in honor of the
unanimous reelection of George Wash
ihgton, the President of the United
States; the anniversary of the present
form of government of the United
States, and a parting leave with the
members of the present Congress.
The Capitol of the nation was moved
to washington, the new city, with few
conveniences, and IN March 4, 1909, the
first inaugural ball vas held here. 1t
was a grand affair, was held at Longs
Hotel and was attended by President
Madison, ex-President Jefferson, and
the foreign Ministers. Mrs. Madison
never Dances" a chronicle of the time
states, but she was an interested spec
tator at the ball. Four hundred took
part. At the second Inauguration Of
President Madison the event took place
at the Davis Hotel.
AT the first inauguration of President
James Monroe, in 1917, the "Octagon
House." which stood at the corner of
New York avenue and Eighteenth
street, was used as a residence, the -,
White House having been burned prior
to this, and, therefore, the President
and his wife afterward went to the Da-
Wis Hotel, later the Metropolitan, where
800 people of social prominence in that
day assembled. The second ball in 1921
wa given under the auspices of the
Washington Assemblies.
The White House was again ready for
occupancy when John Quincy Adams
came into power, president Monroe haV-
ing given the first public reception in it
on the day of the election of Mr.. Ad-
ans. The ball was held, as were many
Sof the fashionable affairs Of that day,
-at Carusi's saloon, afterward known
as the Theatre Comique.
No ball was given when Andrew Jack
son was i~naugurated, but there was sui
fcient celebration, for, after the taking
of the oath, a great crowd gathered TO
pay its respects to the new President at
the White House. AS a result of this
effusive demonstration of affection near
ly all of the glass and china was broken
and the chairs were covered with mud,
left as evidence of the curiosity of those
who wished to catch a glimpse OF the
hero of New orleans. After the second
election of Jackson a ball was held at
the Central Masonic Hall, between
Third and Fourth and-a-half street, on
Pennsylvania venue, attended ty the
MAYOR n board of aldermen.
TWO BALLS IN VAN RUREN'S
HONOR.
At President Martin a Buren's IN
auguration in 1887 two balls were given
but the Chief Executive attended MY
one, that at Carusi's Saloon, on EleV-
cnth street. Many Senators and Rep
resentatives were present.
When president william Henry Har-
riaon assumed the reins of government
a. old theatre in Louisiana avenue was
s2c-red for the inaugural bail. Inc
building WIS purchased by a commit
tee and fu 'nished with a dancing floor
and a supper room, the ball proving
such a success that a surplus of s2,OW
was afterward divided between the
protestant anu CdluOIIC olpLoii- oSJ /
iums. It was a brilliant affair and a
feature was the President joining in the
dance with Mrs. Gales, wife of the d.
tor of the National Intelligencer. The
gentlemen were charged $40 admission,
while the ladies were invited guests
Two other balls were held at the same
time; the Peoples Tippecanoe lnau-
guration Ball." and the Native Amer
fn4Ip ThnSn wore 1
not attended by President Harrison.
The ball in honor of President POLK
in 1916, took place at rus saloon.
Tt was a brilliant affair, the attendance
being limited to 900 persons. Like all
OF the early balls it proved a financial
success.
DANCED IN JUDICIARY SQUARE.
Three balls were given when General