The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-01-15
Gathering of Distinguish
 cd People. MANY BEAUTIFUL GOWNS Men of Every Rank and Class Are There. Reception and Dance Given in Honor ef New Executive Excel in spIen-
 dor any Similar Event
 Since the War.

Tn the gaze of thousands of patriotic citizens. Governor Braxton Bragg Co., mer. the new Governor of Alabama. and Mrs Conner. first lady of the State. last night led the grand march of the inaugural ball in the Auditorium on North Perry Street.
 The ball, which had been preceded by a public reception of citizens by Gov ernor and Mrs. Conner. lasted until o'clock this morning.
 The ball with which Governor and Mrs. Conner were complimented last night has never been surpassed. View ed as social gathering of the dis tinguished statesmen of great conn monwealth it has had no equal since the removal of the capital of the Con- federate States of America from Mont- gomery. to Richmond; in point of splendor as a military pageant 1t ex- ceiled any similar event since the war between the States; it's assemblage of Alabama's men and women, justly notable for courage. for prowess. in statecraft or science or commerce. for wit and for beauty. was unrivalled.
 Men of every rank and class of life were there, men who have titled the fields and those whose hands have more than once laId firm hold upon the helm of the ship of State, eminent jurists and others learned in the law, clergy men whose eloquence has moved vast congregations. physicians whose names are a watchword in the long vigils of illness, merchants whose triumpns in business have raised them to the high rank of captains of industry and inade Alabama the most resourcefuI section of the entire South, and women whose cleverness. amiability and beauty have made them the bellies of whole na- tion.
 Details Carefully Prepared.
 The ball was in very respect q conn plete success. Every detail had been foreseen and prepared with a nfcety of precision that bespoke the care, the labor and intelligence Of the men to whom had been committed the mak- ing of arrangements. Capt. A.. c. Forbes, chairman Of the general com mittee, and those who had worked with him in preparation of the entire inau- gural ceremonies, had done their work well, and the work was continued by NJ. Paul LeGrand, chairman of the Re- ception Committee, and Gaston Gunter. chairman of the Floor Committed, and both the reception, which began at 9 o'clock, and the ball, which opened at 10 o'clock. were enacted smoothly and without a disagreeabie feature.
 The auditorium was decorated with many flags and banners and ~streamers nf hunting and Vya rNGn1nr7dotnt xxvf4ls hundreds of electric lights Fron the arch of the big amphitheatre were suspended long festoons of red, white and blue, which reached to the side walls, and between them were display ed the national colors and scores of United States flags.
 The floor, recently laid, was in admir- able condition for dancing. and the mu- sic, furnished by an orchestra compris- ing the students band of Auburn, Mem oli Band of Birmingham. and Hoffman's s Band of Montgomery, was excellent. Ac- commodations for women and men had been prepared, the ladies having the use of a large dressing room in which were stationed two maids. and a check room. Similar rooms were provided for the men.
 Reception at Q O'clock. The reception of citizens of Ala bama by Governor and Mrs. Conner be- gan at g o'clock. The chief executive and his wife were assisted by a com mittee of ladies of whom Mrs. w. M. Wilkerson was chairman, and by tho reception committee under NJ. Paul Le- Grand. For an hour the Governor and Mrs. Conner met and talked with their people who formed continuous line past the receiving party. The seats of the Auditorium were filled and the floor where the receiving party stood almost damned with people from Mont gomery Birmingham, Selma. Mobile, Eufaula, Opelika, Huntsville, the De- caturs. Demopolis and other cities who had come to pay respect to the Cover nor of their commonwealth.
 It was a representative gathering and made one of the most impressive scenes of the entire Inaugural Day on which so many scenes of solemnity had been portrayed.
 At 10 o'clock the amphitheatre of the Auditorium was deserted save by those who intended to dance and to an in- spiriting march played by the military stitute of Auburn, Governor Conner, with Mrs. Conner at his side, led the grand march, assisted by S. H. Rob erts and Miss Clement Marks. Tn their train were officers of the old and of the new administration, members of the Legislature, ana otner prominent men of the State, and we'll known so- ciety women of Alabama The march was stately but joyous. and in it par ticipated a beautiful array of hand some mew and smartly gowned women.
 After the march was concluded, a hop was enjoyed, the orchestra alter hating waltzes and two- steps. Tn the management of the dance, MT. Gunter, the chairman of the Floor Committee, had the assistance of $. H. Roberts of Montgomery.
 During the evening it was noticeable that Governor Jelks was not among the guests present.
 Members of Receiving Line.
 The public reception was a pleasing sight In the receiving line were Mrs. B. B. Conner, wearing a magnificent gown of white chiffon. embroidered in lavender and white orchids and trim med in rose point lace embroidered in