Mexico Missouri message., 1909-03-11

gowns were tOfCed 20 Woue InrOukn
the icy mixture half way to their
knees in order to reach the senate
lobby.
II was shortly after IL o'clock that
the enators-practicall the whole
membership being present--massed
themselves In chairs TO the left OF
the Independents desk; behind them
close to the left wall OF the chamber
sat the governors OF Is states, who
had come on to attend the inaugural.
Governors Attract Attention.
Gov. Hadley OF Missouri. smooth
shaven and youthful. attracted much
attention, and Gov. Hughes Of New
York was also greeted by many OF
his friends in the upper house. Gov.
Deneen.. conspicuous for his fair hair,
was escorted by Prof. Willis L. Moore.
chief OF the weather bureau.
In the members gallery immedi'
ateiy above. the Taft family and their
friends occupied the front row OF
seats. Charles p. Taft Of Cincinnati
at one end. Next him sat Mrs. w. II.
Taft. wearing a lavender gown and
carrying a huge bunch of violets. Her
children, Charles, Miss Helen In a
blue frock. and little Robert came in
| order.
Mrs. Charles p Taft. former Con-
gresham Littauer Of New York, and
Mrs. Sherman, wife Of the vice-presi'
dent. filled up the first rank. Imme.
| diately behind sat the venerable aunt
I OF the president, Miss Della c. Torrey.
who. at the age OF SO was one Of the
most interested spectators. The storm
had kept many women at home, and
consequently the diplomatic gallery
was only half filed
President and Mrs. Taft were the
centers Of interest at the eliminating
feature OF the memorable day-the In.
augural ball in the Pension Building.
The scene in the cavernous building,
which had been transformed into q
canopied court Of ivory and white, was
another Of the brilliant pictures which
are quadrenially painted here by the
gathering OF vast and brilliant as
semblage from every section Of the
country. With all the color and move
ment Of a military spectacle, with the
softening influence OF delicately tinted
gowns and the interest OF a personnel
seldom eQualed at a social function.
the inaugural ball holds a place unique
in the history making OF the day.
Electrical Display.
While the ball was in progress in
doors a display OF fireworks on the
monument lot in the rear OF the White
House marked the end OF the outdoor
celebration.
For hours the thinly clouded
heavens was white with screaming
rockets. with sun clusters that chal-
lenged the brilliance OF day. with fiery
tons Of modern pyrotechnic skin.
Aerial salutes, floating festoons, H.
lumined balloons and scores of other
features made the display visible from
one end of the Capital City to the
other.
Prior 10 his visit to the ball, PresI'
dent Taft had entertained at tea in
the White House the members OF the
Yale Club: had dined with Mrs. Taft
at Z o'clock, and had stopped in at the
Metropolitan Club to say few words
at the dinner Of the class OF 1873 a
Yale.
The sudden blizzard sweeping II
from the northwest to set awry the
weather bureaus optimistic promise
OF fair and somewhat colder" causet
an abandonment OF the outdoor cere
D monies on the famous east front o
; the capitol, much to Mr. Taft's chag
I rim, and threatened for a time to stol
3 the brilliant pageant OF the afternoon
BY almost superhuman efforts q pas
i sageway was cleared along the cente
: OF Pennsylvania avenue, however, an
8 for nearly three hours President TAT
and Vice-Presldent Sherman reviews
g passing column which was replet
L with martial splendor and picturesqu
/. with civic display.
Program Is Changed.
Q II was deemed dangerous. however
?. to force upon the venerable member
v OF the supreme court, the senate an
e the diplomatic corps the jeopardy q
i long exposure TO the elements, an
> the presidentelect finally acquiesee
o in the change Of program, Not sine
n Andrew Jackson's second inauguratio
in 1898 had a president taken III
oath in the senate. At his first q
h. auguration Jackson had proteste
!. against an indoor ceremony when I
h many Of his fellow-citIzens were gatl
D. cred outside the capitol. So. followt
70 by all the distinguished compaz
10 which had assembled in the hall OF Il
Ie senate. he proceeded to the porti'
n on the east front and there took Il
y oath of Office and delivered his
Of augural address.
The parade was replete with inte
n est. The 5000 bluejackets from Il
h recently returned Atlantic feet share
o. honors among the military with u
"a | ft,,han arm ~ mobilization fuaf hal