Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-03-05
But Dancing al This Inaugural
Function Was Difficult.
PRESIDENT AMO FAMILY PRESENT
New Precedent in Light Hearted Mood,
But He Deciined to Trip the Light
Eantastc-Crowd Dwindied Around
Midnight.

WASHINGTON, ID. C., Mar. - Mag
nitiCrnt and a seen. of rar" beauty
which guckrnci every human emo
ton III" inaugural ball WAS The climax
of .. dar OF tr.umphS for w IL. Tart
I'm the vast hall of the Pension huild-
ing. resem! Ing dream OF 1airS
lard mingled fair women. beautifully
.owned and from every cline: men
whose names ar" known in every cor
ner of the wurli: diplomats IN court
raiment statesmen in Somhr" attire:
officers OF the arm. and navy IN thelr
gorgeous uniforms. ana Ordinary
American citizens whose presence ties
lied to the democracy OF the affair.
In the gallery which extended about
the fuur sides of the ballroom. 'thous,
ands Of t"autiful American girls look
cd down upon tn" awe inspiring
scene.
Taft in Merry Mood.
President Taft appeared paT!iruhr'
IL LIGHT hearted and Unmindtui of TIL"
serious things and with Mrs. TAFT and
Vice president and Mrs. sherman.
thcy made heir promenade arAuni
the great bail room whcr" on every
side they were flanked h. members
OF the reception cnmmitte" oi which
GiSt Blair was chairman ANA Thomas
Walsh vice chairman and III" two
latter and the military and naval a.des
at the White House forming The es-
COrt
Miss Torre,. h. presidents aged
aunt came from New England 10 at
tend the inauguration and at the bali
the president bestowed on her al
fectionate kiss.
A chance gaze upward as III" prom
enadc was about to Concludr brought
the president face % face with ms
children. who had taken seats in his
box and there was keen manifesta-
ton OF pleasure and affection in his
salutations.
Dancing Impossible Early.
Music was furnished by the Marine
band and by Minister'S orchestra. the
former varying its promenade Seier
ton Lv strains of Hail to the Chief
and The Star SpanSled Banner
Dancing was INDUCED in as the
I, hours progressed but this was 'mpos-
sible earlier in the evening because
of the dense crowd which Was con
scrvatively estimated at 10000.
President and Mrs. Taft went To the
! supper in the Presidents room shortly
after ten O'Clock. BY this time the
! hall was so crowded that only small
spacc al one end could be kept clear
for dancing.
Those who could find room took po-
.itions in the gallery to watch the
vast assemblace on the floor. where
people OF every walk of life rui'3ed e.
bows ami made their way about the
hall as best they could.
crush Relieved at Midnight.
With the approach of midnight
there was slightly Derccptible di-
minution in the number Of couples on
the floor and from this hc1r on the
crush was gradually relieved.
With the arrival of twelve O'Clock
the disciples Of TersichOre found bet
ter opportunity for dancing ard ,he
entire floor was soon filled with
moving mass that presented bril-
liancy of color end gai"iv seldom
cqua'ed.
Diplomats and other otticiels
mingled with those ON III" floor
The President party left the Pen
sion building shortly before mi'nishf.
The President and his family return
| ed 20 the White House az they had
come in his new automobile.
Those who occupied the President :
| box were: President Tafts three
| brothers and the ladies' of their fam,
: lilies: Vive President and Mrs. Sher'
! man. Governor Harmon OF Ohio and
| Senator Bradley % K"ntueky.
| Vice President and Ms. Sherman
; remained ioT short time after the
! President had left.
! Mr. Taft did not join in tn" dancing,
! ana gracefully refused when called Up