The Princeton union., 1905-04-06
AT THE 1NAUGURArIoN.
Notes on Recent Event--Scenes About
Washington.

fOrmer r~Ek10CeCOnAto Gives interesting
Notes on Recent Event--Scenes About
Washington.
The crowds were there. The papers
did not exaggerate the situation. At
the Penn. depot on Saturday evening,
it was almost impossible to board a
train. Those who had relinquished
rooms at their hotels. were unfortu-
nate unless they were able to secure
them again.
Rates were high. if people cared to
yield to such prices. A gentleman
from Minneapolis told us he was in
vited to pay one hundred dollars for
a room for himself alone for five DAYS.
Our own party of three was asked
eighty-fve dollars for two days for
room without board. Those terms
were not accepted, for we found very
satisfactory accommodations on Penn.
avenue at reasonable rates.
Washington weather was perfect.
although ladies wearing fur coats
were most comfortable and many we're
clad in such garments.
Pennsylvania Avenue was an ever
changing panorama, a veritable
kaleidoscope. On our arrival at four
O'Clock a. m. Friday it was quiet as
the sleeping city, but manifold decor
ations on all sides gave evidence of
grand antiacipations. On Friday and
Saturday forenoons one felt fairly
intoxicated by the enthusiasm and
patriotic manifestations everywhere
seen. Squads Of soldiers in gilt ar
ray, banners, drums, bands, restaur-
ants crowded to the sidewalks with
people in line awaiting breakfast,
street venders, souvenir peddlers. not
forgetting the ever-present pop corn
and peanut man, automobiles: troll
leys like two continuous lines, gaiety,
hurry and hustle everywhere, this was
Penn. avenue on the mornings of
March 3rd and 4th. On Sunday morn
ing how changed. At seven O'Clock
the beautiful broad thoroughfare pre-
sented most forlorn and unkempt ap-
pearance, as if numerous circus COM
panies had folded their tents in the
night. Strewn with paper, remnants
of fruit, peanut shells, demolished
boxes, etc., it looked anything but
the gala avenue of the day before.
An hour spent in the Senate Cham
bers on Friday was interesting.
Familiar faces were those of Chaun-
cey Depew, Edward Everett Hale,
Vice-President-Elec Fairbanks, and
of especial interest to us, Senator
VIM. P. Frye from our old home city
of Lewiston, Maine, for many years
in congress and president pro tempore
of the senate. Mr.. Frye has grown
sad in the past few years, for the
death of his noble wife, who was his
constant companion in Washington,
has left his life lonely.
The statue of Frances Willard so
recently placed in Statuary Hall of the
Capitol is life-like, looking much as
we remembered her on the lecture
platform. The presence of her like
ness in marble adds grace and dig
nifty to the austerity of the rotunda.
On our way to Mount Vernon, we
encountered a bevy Of girls from Bel
mont college, Nashville, Tenn. They
wore brown travelling suits of uniform
color and pattern and were a bright,
attractive company. After doing
Washington they were bound for
Philadelphia and New York. They
were chaperoned by several teachers.
One of the young ladies expressed
surprise at the lack of courtesy in the
men of the north, as they crowded the
seats of the trolleys compelling many
ladies to stand. ''Southern GENTLE
men would not do that, they are al
ways courteous to ladies'' she added.
During the night preceding the great
day: we heard in our sleep strains Of
martial music, as band after band
passed up the avenue on it's way to
headquarters. "America'' and "Star
Spangled Banner" blended beautifully
with our dreams.
President Roosevelt was prompt in
his appointments. At the time adver-
tised the presidential party appeared
on the avenue and enthusiasm knew no
bounds. The president looked trifie
more serious than when we saw him
two years ago in Minneapolis, but he
lifted his hat in the same characteris-
tic manner. From our front seat on
the grand stand we had a good view
of Mrs. Roosevelt and the children as
we'll as of Miss Alice.
1t was 1885 O'Clock instead of p. m.
when the platoon of police preceding
the president appeared on the return
march to the White House. It was
6 p. m. when the last squad of the
GREAT nrOceSSiOn had nacco1 M o,o