Evening star., 1909-03-04
INAUGURAL BALLS
OF PAST CENTURY
First Given in This City Was
on March 4, 1909.
IN HONOR OF MADISON
Function Held at Longs Hotel Was
Notable One.
GROWING EVENT OF THE DAY
Remarkable Development Of One OF
the Most Striking Features Of the
Induction of a President.

growth OF the SOCIAL anu oHicidl llio VI
since it became the capital
than a study of the development OF the
inaugural ball. one of the most striking.
If not the most striking, feature from
standpoint Of brilliancy of the great
1uadrennial celebration in honor Of the
of the nations executive
head. Once participated in an inaugural
ball is an event never to be forgotten.
The very preparation of 1t requires weeks
Of hard and intelligently directed work
on the part of five separate committees.
of men accustomed to handling
affairs which require the application of
system and executive ability.
The arrangements are all planned far
ahead. and, upon the night of the ball,
everything moves with smoOthness and
order. OF dancing there is comparatively
little. A small space at the east end of
the ground floor of the pension Office
building. the only place in Washington
where there is sufficient floor space to
enable the thousands that attend the ball
to move about at all, is used by those
who wish to dance. Most OF them dance
simply for the sake of saying they have
danced at an inaugural ball. rather than
for the pleasure they get out of IL.
The rest of the fall is occupied by a
closely packed crowd. AS a matter OF
fact. the inaugural ball would better be
called the inaugural assembly or the
inaugural promenade" IL accuracy Ot
were aimed at.
Decorations a Leading Feature.
In recent years the developments in
electrical decorative schemes have en-
abled those in charge Of the decorations
to provide wonderful light displays, and
a more brilliant scene than the BALI
room upon such an occasion can hardly
be imagined. Added to the electric lights
Of many colors is floral display that
is worth coming far to see.
With the advance Of technical skill
and the study Of decorative art, each
inaugural ball has been made to surpass
the one that preceded 1t In point Of gor-
geousness and good taste. All who 60
will have an opportunity to get full
view of the President and Mrs. Taft,
the Vice President and Mrs. Sherman.
They Snter the room at the head of the
column which forms for the grand
march Walking the length Of the build
ing from west to east. they return and
go to a gallery in the west end of the
building, from which they gaze upon tha
brilliant scene on the floor below.
At frequent intervals during the even.
ing the President and Vice President
and their wives are compelled to come
to the railing Of the gallery and bow to
those who cheer them.
At the Roosevelt inaugural ball Of 1908
200 persons were present. This is
considered almost a record crowd. and
taxed the ballroom to it's capacity. On
the second floor of the building the sup
per is served. 1t is from the inaugural
ball that the inaugural committee de-
rives most of the funds to defray the
cost of the inauguration. In 1905 $45,-
900 was realized from the sale of tick
cts to the ball. and more from the sale
of tickets to the popular concerts on
ri,fS fn1 hon
to the pension Office to see the decora-
tions and to hear music by the Marine
Band and choruses of we'll trained
voices.
The First Inaugural Ball.
When, in l7S3, Washington was inau.
President. at the temporary seat
of government. New York. there was
much rejoicing and in addition to tha
entertainments and receptiona
which followed the ceremonies were balls
and assemblies in honor OF the event dur
ing the ensuing few weeks. Indeed. this
people of that day. from the old patriot
to the children. were given to celebrating.
the birthday of Washington.
What may be called the first inaugural
bali was given week following the event
MAY 9. at the assembly rooms which waa
attended by the President. government
officials. members of Congress and foreign
1t was described as n
brilliant affair. the ladies being dressed
IN great taste and elegance, aithouEh
little jewelry was worn. Among the
guests We're many who wore titles.
Mrs. Washington had not then arrived
in New York. and the absence of the first
lady of the land was felt and commented
upon at the time.
The removal of the capital to Phiia-
ielphia fixed the inauguration bali at
the opening of Washington's term, then.
in 11.::. There is no reference to ball
when in 1877 John Adams became Presi-
lent. but instead there is noted an enter
ertainment at the amphitheater given by
prominent citizens in his honor in tho
evening, and there was general fllumi.
nation.
No jefferson Ball.
The two inaugurations of Thomas JET.
'erson were devoid of ball. for Jeffer-
'onian simplicity was now the rule, nor
vas there much time for arranging for a
9all had Mr.. jefferson and his friends
,een 80 inclined the tie vote was not
decided till February L. Though there
vas no formal ball. his political friends
celebrated By dinners. and many paid
heir respects to him at the White
House.
1t was on Saturday that james
Madison was inaugurated. on March 4.
so: nevertheless there was a ball at
light at Longs Hotel, on the site
occupied by Congress after the Capt.
oil building was burned by the Brit
sh in 1911. Mr.. jefferson was there
With Mr.. Madison. Foreign ministers
md those who at that time formed
'Washington's first four hundred" as
embled to honor the occasion. Men,
,ers of the cabinet and Congress, army
md navy officers and many distinguish
d persons were there. The ladies. at
ired, as was the custom of the day, in
ray co.ors made a resplendent scene in
he dance beneath the festOons of the
-oung nations coiors intertwined with
hose of friendly countries. Mrs. Madi-
on looked every inch a queen and soon
yas a favorite with all, though she never,
oined in the dance. The ball was reck-
ned the most brilliant that had been
,iven in Washington to that time.
Doubtless the country being engaged
N the urar with Great Brit ain in 1S.s