The Charles Mix new era. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1???-1911, 1909-03-05

sSsr-- ur''ioh are accept.
WHY q. " ed as a matter of
course, is a long
step. If the Inauguration of George
Washington had cost $4,000, ms the
charge would have been thrown bodily
into the Atlantic ocean 10y an outraged
populace.
Until recent years most of the in-
augurations were the scenes of more or
less disgraeeful actions rs the in
augural crowds, which in the early
days were composed mostly Of the per-
sonal friends of the President-elect.!S
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 a sigh Of the Inaugural
ton.
If George Washiu-ton'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. compoSt J If the a~ristoc-
racy of New York. engineered the first
inaugural ball, as il did every other
feature OF the occasion. Ii was at
tended only by the higher officials of
the government and the city. the diplo-
matte corps and by the old aristocratic
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 50 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
ministered i'll the old Senate chamber
of that building. Later on. however,
the inauguration, as a whole, became
more liberal and admission 10 in
augural balls could be purchased.
Andrew Jacks0n's Inauguration
brought to Washington the first of the
large crowds. Most Of the people were
from the west aud what they did to
the national capitol was, in the lam
guage of the poet, ~ plenty" From
Jackson's time inaugural professions
became one of the great features Of
the day. Lincoln's two i~naugurations
brought great crowds 10 Washington,
which resembled an armed camp
through fear of an attempt on the
Presidents life. Morc than 2.o0O SOL
diers marched in the parade.
Grants first inauguration marked
the last of the unusual inaugural
scenes. The bali was held in the
Treasury Department and was attend
ed by 5000 people. Food not being
served early enough. p raid was made
on the pantry and Kitchen and food
vas atluaAS tdhFh t&Ai#D tine Stoves.
Ceremonies Up to Date nowadays.
In recent years the inaugural cere-
monies have been assumed by Wash
fngton committees. TIE President elect
is escorted To the capitol by a body
guard of troops ami II congressional
committee. The streets are rored of
and adequately policed. There is al
ways a large ~outpouriug of the regular
army and navy and several regiments
of State troops participate In The pa
rade. Public comfore is arranged for
In advance and assignments of rooms
made through the local committees.
Special trains bear t&e brunt II the
inauguration crowds in and out Of
Washington and extra S~laeninc ears
stationed on side tracks practically
provide for the overflow which cannot
lind quarters elsewhere. The oath Of
Office is now adminiSt '~tvl to the Presi-
dent-elect in the open air. where rha
police and soldiery can handle the
crowds. The Inaugural bali is held i'm
we pension office unfier adequate SUI
pervision provided by the local COM
mittee. The inaugural parade itself is
q welEorganized army under the direct
command Of the chief Of staff of the
regular army. Altogether. while mod
ern inaugurations cost 4 pile Of money
IN comparison to the old days. they are
business-like affairs and far more
orderly.