Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-03-04

VI =
=-1z&1- when large eXpen-
e<EnfTiTTI. ditures for inaug
qsfsap I'D y ed as matter Of
course is d long
step. If the inauguration of George
Washington had cost $4,000. 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 disgracefuI actions by the in
augural crowds. which i'll 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 hesieged by clamoring mol-s
anxious to get a sight of the inaugural
ton.
If George .Washington'S personal
ideas had been carried out he would
have been inaugurated the first time
in private His continuous ovation
from Washington to New York and his
reception in the latter 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. ii was ut
tended only by the higher officials of
the government and the city. the diplo-
matte corps and by the old aristOrratic
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 p0pulace 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
ministered in the old Senate chamber
of that building. Later on. however,
the inauguration, us a 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. n plenty" From
Jacks0nS time inaugural professions
became one of the great features of
the day LincoIn's two inaugurationS
brought great crowds to Washington.
which resembled an armed camp
through fear of IN 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
served early enough. Il raid was made
on the pantry and kitchen and food
was actually taken from the stoves
Ceremonies Up TO Date Nowadays.
In recent wears the Inaugural cerc-
monies have been assumed by Wash
rho pPHSiIpnt -plpf.t
| is escorted to the capitol by Il body
guard of troops and Il congressional
committee. The streets are roped off
and adequately pOliced. There is al
| ways large Outpouring of the regular
army and navy and several regiments
of State troops participate i'll the pa
r;de Public comfort is arranged for
in advance and assignments of rooms
made through the local committees.
Sperial trains bear the brunt of the
inauguration crowds in and out Of
Washington and extra sleeping ears
stationed on side tracks practically
provide for the overflow which cannot
find quarters elsewhere. The oath Of
office is new administered to the PreSi-
dent-clcct in the open air. where the
police and SOldiery can handle the
crowds. The inaugural ball is held in
the pension office under adequate SUI
pc2yision provided by the local com
mittec. The inaugural parade itself IS
\ well-organiZed army under the direct
command of the chief OF staff of the
regular army. Altogether while mod
ern inauguratiOns cost Il pile of money
in comparison to the old days. they are
buSiEe.s-like affairs and far more
| orderly.