Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-03-04
Estimated 100000 Visitors Had
Reached Washington Last
Evening.
DRENCHING RAIN FALLING
II. w. Nevins, Commander OF the
Grand Army Of the Republic, Hss
Lost I'm Arm and VIII BE TN
able to Appear in the In
augural Parade.

Washington. March "a vast army Of
people tonight tramped the streets Of
the national Capital In downpour Of
rain In eager expectancy Of the nations
greatest Of all pageants the Presiden-
tial inauguration. The spirit of celebra-
ton Is supreme and everything Is in
complete readiness for the great quad
rennial event.
Congress practically cleared It's decks.
both Houses working under high pres
sure President Roosevelt and President
elect TAFT tonight slept under the Same
roof after q strenuous day spent in re-
ceiving callers. all the members Of the
cabinet resigned In accordance with Gus
tom. and the labors Of the inaugural
ceremony were completed.
Nunt eress hosts have gathered here
from all parts Of the country awaiting
the coming of Tomorrow spectacle
when Mr.. Taft will be indicted into the
highest office in the gift OF the people.
In spite OF threatening clouds which
hung over head during the day and at
| ternoon and later turned into a drench-
ing downpour OF rain, the visiting thous-
ands did not allow their ardor to be
dampened or their interest in the spirit
Of the festive occasion TO be lessened
by the e!sagreeabe weather. On account
Of the dark clouds which overcast the
city. Il was necessary several hours be-
fore the usual time to light government
and Other office buildings in the city.
| Pennsylvania avenue tonight along It's
mile and n quarter length from the capt.
! tol 10 the treasury was picturesque. The
rain-bathed ashphalt reflected In It's
~1i eto ,;,,rr
| from the festooned arches above
1t Is believed that Mr.. Taft and Mr..
Sherman tomorrow will be indicted
Into office according to the program. The
finishing touches in the decorative
scheme OF the magnificent court OF
honor. were finished to-day and the final
rehearsal of the orchestra for the inaug-
trial ball at the pension office building
we're held. PENNSYLVANIA avenue will be
cleared Of all vehicles. street cars and
pedestrians at nine O'Clock by an order
of the superintendent Of police issued to-
| day.
The rush of visitors from all parts 81
the country continued undated to-day
and the city is In the usual preinausural
state of congestion It Ia estimated that
fully 10000 people are already here and
eaCn incoming traln ana BOAT atnS It's
quota to the visiting throng. Trains
from all points are being run at inter
! walls Of few minutes in order to accom-
MEDIATE the crowds and railroad officials
estimate that upwards OF $1,000 persons
arrived here to-day by rail up to mid
right Tho hotels and boarding houses
have been taxed to their utmost to ac-
commodate the visitors.
Numerous military and civic organ
izations arrived during the day among
them the famous troop a. of Cleve-
land Ohio. which will act as Mr.. Taft's
escort The familiar figure of 4 COM
mander in chief of the Grand Army OF
the Republic, will be missing In the
parade tomorrow. as Henry NJ Nevius.
the present head OF that orsa nizatOn.
to-day teleg, aphed that ne would he UNI
able to attend because OF an accident
which caused him to lose his arm. The
head IT the United Spanish War veterans.
Charles w. Newton. with other officers
OF that organization who arrived here
to-day will march in the division which
will escort the presidential party TO the
capitol tomorrow.
All Of the executive departments v'ill be
closed Cor to-norrow's event.