Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-03-09

step. If the Inauguration of George
Washington had cost 100000, as the.
Taft inauguration is costing, those in
charge would have been thrown bodily
into the Atlantic ocean by an outraged
populace.
Until recent years most of the in-
augurations were the scenes of more or
less disgraceful actions by the in
augural crowds, which in the early
days were composed mostly of the per-
sonal friends of the President-elect.
The inaugural balls were wild scram-
bles for social precedence and some
thing to eat, the White House was al,
most depleted time and again by relic
hunting guests at the ceremonies; the
capitol was besieged by clamoring mobs
anxious TO get sight of the Inaugural
ton.
II George Washington's perscr:s
ideas had been carried out he woald
have been inaugurated the first time
in private. His continuous ovation
from Washington to New York and his
reception in the later city by 10000
people, however. made this impossible
and he was finally sworn in on the
balcony of the old city hall on Wall
street.
inaugural Balls Are Popular.
The volunteer committee of the first
Inauguration, composed of the aristoc-
racy of New York, engineered the first
inaugural ball, as it did every other
feature of the OCCASION 1t was at
tended only by the higher officials of
the government and the city, the diplo-
matte corps and by the old aristocratie
families of New York. Washington
himself led the minuet with Miss Van
Zandt, of New York.
Ever since then demand for admis-
sion to all the phases of an inaugural
ton has increased so that it is almost
impossible to keep the populace out.
Washington's second Inauguration was
even more private than the first, TAX
ing place in Independence hall, Phil
adelphia. The oath was privately adj
minisiered in the old Senate chamber
of that building. Later on, however,
the Inauguration, as whole, became
more liberal and admission to In
augural balls could be purchased.
Andrew Jackson's Inauguration
brought to Washington the first OF the
large crowds Most Of the people were
from the west and what they did to
the national capitol was, in the Ian
guage of the poet. "a plenty" From
Jackson's time inaugural professions
became one of the great features of
the day. Lincoln's two inaugurations
brought great crowds to Washington,
which resembled an armed camp
through fear of an attempt on the
Presidents life. More than 1000 sol
diers marched in the parade.
Grants first Inauguration marked
the last of the unusual Inaugural
scenes The ball was held in the
Treasury Department and was attend
ed by 5000 people. Food not being
ser sed early enough, a raid was made
on the pantry and kitchen and food
was actually taken from the stoves.
Ceremonies Up TO Date Nowadays.
In recent years the inaugural cere-
monte, have been assumed by Wash
ington committees. The President-elect
is escort,t. "a the capitol by body
guard of troops and a congressional
committee. The streets are roped of
and adequately policed. There is al
WAYS a large ontpouring of the regular
army ana navy and several regiments
of State troops participate in tie pa
rade. Pubic comfort is arranged for
in advance and assignments of rooms
made throu III the local committees.
Special traius bear the brunt of the
inauguration crowds in and out of
Washington and extra sleeping cars
stationed on side tracks practicaHy
provide for the overflow which cannot
find quarters elsewhere. The oath OF
office is now administered TO the Presi-
dent-elect in the open air, where the
police and sOldiery can handle the
crowds. The inaugural ball is held III
the pension Office under adequate SD
pervision provided by the local COM
mittee. The inaugural parade itself Is
n well-organized army under the direct
command Of the chief of staff of the
regular army. Altogether. while mod
ern inaugurations cost pile of money
In comparison TO the old days. they are
busiress-llke affairs and far more
orle.l