Evening star., 1909-03-05

to the ballroom floor under the escort OF
the reception committee.
II was then the ceremonous part of the
evenings pleasure began. in the grand
promenade of the President and Vice
President and their wives down the bail
room and back again to the reserved
gallery.
The special committee divided when it
came down stairs, FIVE members on
either side heading the line of citizens
manning The aisle.
Joining the party at the foot of the
stairs and leading the Presidents prom
enade were Mr.. Gist Blair chairman of
the floor committee. and Mr.. Thomas +.
Walsh his vice chairman. who walked
side by side.
Mr.. Edward J. Stellwaeen the chairman
Of the inaugural committee, walked al
the right of the President. Mrs. Taft
was at her husbands left. Mr.. Theodore
w. Noyes, chairman of the reception COM
mittee. was at Mrs. Taft's left
Mr.. George f. Hamilton. the vice chair
man of the inaugural committee, walking
behind Mr.. Stellwagen, was on the right
of the Vice President who followed in
Sherman at his left. Mr.. John JOY Edison,
the vice chairman of the reception COM
mittee. was at Mrs. Sherman's left.
Four of the Presidents military and
naval aids walked last in the procession.
Cheers and Smiles Greet Taft.
A little wave of cheers had occurred
when the Presidents head was seen
above all others as he first entered the
building. Much more decided applause
greeted his appearance as the grand
march began.
Enthusiasm did not manifest itself Sc
much in sound is III the reflection of his
smile on the countenances of those OBJ
serving him. No President faced be fore
so many laughing faces.
Those closest tho entrance saw one lit
tie incident that charmingly showed his
good humOr. AS he and Mrs. Taft began
the march one of their household bent
low TO arrange the slimmering train OF
the latters dress. Being d mere man, he
probably did not know whether it was
inside out Or upside down, and he seemed
10 do very little to it.
Mrs. Taft whispered a word Of advice
as she stopped and looked back.
please spread IL out. Ii is very wide
train
The President. not knowing exactly the
cause of the detention, spent the mo-
ment in chatting to the committee neaI
him When he caught the expression
on his wife's face and saw the difficulty
she had overcome so quickly he laughed
heartily with her.
Mr.. Taft Receives Dignitaries.
Their smiling progress down the ball
room took up but few minutes. When
they went upstairs again it was first
to hold reception for the specially in
vited dignitaries-the diplomatic corps
the supreme court. senator's and repre-
sentatives, representatives of the army
and navy. many of the visiting governors,
under escort Of the reception committee
and other distinguished visitors. Mem
bers Of the inaugural committee and OF
the reception committee also participated.
The reception was held in the President 5
room in the reserved gallery.
The appearance, after the reception, of
the President and Mrs. Taft and the
Presidents box was the signal tor pro-
longed handclapping and cheers.
The President and his wife stood close
to the edge of the balcony and ackrow-
lodged ovation with repeated bows and
smiles.
The Vice President and Mrs Sherman
had places at the right of the President
and had their own part of the cheering,
which they also acknowledged by cor
responding bows and smiles.
The luxurious chairs which had been
provided for the four were evidently de-
signed for comfortable rest during their
use, but were so low that the throng on
the floor had only a view of the tops OF
his wife.
Cnalr TecCOrDS FceSl0ent.
The President sunk away SO low in
his chair that he joined In the laugh tha,
went up. not only near him. but from all
who wondered at his sudden disappear.
ance
He took warning by this discontinue
and when he sat down again, as he did
Off and on during his stay in the box. he
only used the high edge Of the chair as
| a resting place.
Both Mrs. Taft and Mrs. Sherman
knew facing them in the galleries near
by. Both used the same gesture-a wave
of the hand-to accentuate their recogni
| tion. Every now and then both President
| and Vice President would come closer tC
| the edge of the box. and these movements
invariably caused some one to call ou
| Speech" The President always shoOl
his head between his laughs at these sal
| lies.
The Supper Guests.
The party invited to take supper will
the President and Mrs. Taft. consisted O.
the Vice President and Mrs. Sherman, tn.
| Secretary of State and Mrs. Bacon, th'
| Secretary of the Treasury and Mrs. Cor
| telyou, the Secretary OF War and Mrs
| Wright, the Attorney General and Mrs
| Bonaparte. the Secretary of the Nav!
and Mrs Newberry. the Secretary of thu
Interior and Mrs. Garfield, Secretary VIII
son. Miss Wilson. Secretary and Mrs
| Straus, Mr.. Frank Hitchcock. Senator ant
! Mrs. Knox, Col and Mrs. Bromwell. Mis-
Mabel Boardman, Mr.. Fred Carpenter, MI
| and Mrs. ingalls,, Prof. sand Mrs. Loui
Moore. Miss Helen Taft, DR.. and Mrs. w
| A. Edwards, Mr. and Mrs. Charles p
! Taft. Miss Julia Taft, Mr.. and Mrs
| Henry w. Taft. Miss Louise Taft. Mr.. anG
| Mrs. Howard D. Taft. Mr.. and Mrs. Hor
| ace Taft, Mrs. Charles Anderson, Mis-!
| Harriet Anderson. Miss jamie Anderson
| Miss Catherine Anderson. Miss Strana
han. Lieut.. Commander Palmer. Mr.. Rob
| ert Taft, Mr.. Walbridge Taft, Mr.. an(
Mrs. Thomas M. Sherman, Mr.. and Mrs
| Sheriff. Sherman, Mr.. Richard Sherman
Mrs. Miller, Mrs. L. B. Moore. Miss Tor
rey Wiley, Capt Archibald Butt Mr.
Edward J. Stellwagen. chairman of tn,
| inaugural committee: Mr.. Theodore w
| Noyes. chairman of the reception commit
| tee: Mr.. Gist Blair. chairman of the fiool
| committee. and Mr.. Arthur Moses. chair
| man Of the supper committee.
Between the dispatch of supper and
impromptu receptions at its close over ar
hour was consumed.
Mr. Taft Calls "Good Night"
i After resuming their places in th'
box the President and his wife look