Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-16
THE INAUGURAL BALL
WASHINGTON PEOPLE NOT LACK
ING IN CIVIC PRIDE.
Induction of President National Event
Government Should Own
Great Assembly Hall.
From the Cincinnati Enquirer.

From the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Now that 1t has been decided to have the
Inauguration ball once more in the pension
office, 1t seems appropriate to call atten-
ton to what appears to us to be an entire
misrepresentation on the part Of several
congressman. and it may be safely said
on the part of Congress as whole. as dis
closed by the discussion of the question, OF
the relation which should exist in such mat
tiers between the general government and
the capital city. 1t appears to have been
assumed by the gentlemen who opposed the
use of the pension building that the entire
inauguration ceremonial Is something
which primarily and chiefly concerns the
city Of Washington and its citizens. who
were reproached in the debate because they
have failed to provide a proper place for
what is purely national function. Moth
ing could be further from the truth ana
from just view of the situation than the
position taken.
The President has been elected by the
people. He Is their President; his Undue
ton into Office is q national event; people
by hundreds of thousands from all points
of the country flock to Washington to take
part In 1t; and yet great men In Congress
rise up and solemnly tell us that Wash
ington a residence city with little bust
ness, no manufactures and small wealth,
ought to be ashamed of itself because IL
hasn't long ago provided the general gov
eminent with place in which to have the
Inauguration ball. the only function very
large numbers OF the visiting people can
attend
Congress seems to forget that ii has been
a part of most inaugurationS from Wash
ington's down. AS a matter of convenience
it has always been the practice to have a
local committee of management. but that
in no way changes the wholly national
character of the entire observance. II
would be-ft1st as reasonable to assert thai
Washington should pay the expense of
bringing United States troops to the inau-
guration as that they should pay other ex-
penses of the occasion provide the nee
essary facilities for making it a success
for the people at large Imagine the Brit
ish government calling on the city of Lon
don to pay the expenses Of all coronatfons
10 furnish hall for the ceremonies.
The fact is the government ought to have
at Washington building adequate to hold
great assemblies. There is no reason why
the people should not be present at that
part Of the Inauguration ceremonies which
now takes place in the Senate chamber in
the presence of select few only. The ball
is really great reception by the President
to visiting thousands from all parts of the
country. for which the government should
provide fitting place. Such a building
could be made available for other useful
purposes. When the great international
postal congress met here hall had to be
hired for 1t, and there is no appropriate
place for such gatherings We repeat that
an inauguration in all its ramifications is q
strictly national affair, and has come to
be regarded as a great national fete and
celebration, when more than at any other
time or place people from all parts of the
country come together with a common
patriotic and social purpose The people
will approve any expenditures required TO
enable them to participate as fully as pos
sible in these occasions. and to make them
In every way worthy of great and rich
country.