The Washington herald., 1909-01-17

When ar Sims. N the House OF Hep-
resentatives, IN reviewing the history OF
inaugural Iegi1lation IN Washington de-
CIared his wish 10 -diSabUse the minds
OF the members OF the House OF the sup
posed lact that the ball held every four
years al the time Of the inauguration Of
a President was any part Of the official
inauguration ceremony he was entirely
correct: but Mr. OlcOtt more nearly
voiced the sentiments Of the people whea
he called attention 10 the fact that 1t
seemed fitting ia times gone by. and I
think il IS proper now. TO allow the hold
ing of a hall al which the outgoing
President and the incoming President
and any people Of distinction who may
be in the city Of Washington can ap-
pear. And I think the people who
come here from our several constituencies
would rather go 10 the inaugural ball
than 20 any other part OF the ceremO-
MES"
That this latter statement has been true
from almost the beginning. IS shown by
"a little looking back into the printed
story { the social events connected with
the Installation Of former presidents
Probably no truer indication Of the
growth Of the country and the increasing
popularity Of the inaugural ball can. be
gotten than by comparing the meager
details Of the first ball Of that name
held in Washington and the columns Of
description Of the brilliant affair Of four
years ago
The frs. ball held on the occasion Of
the Inauguration Of a president IN Isoa
Just q century ago-was IN honor OF
Madison's first Inauguration. The ball
was hello At Longs hotel. and was very
brilliant affair, being. as the records say.
graced by the Fair sex" Madison was
attended by ex-President Jefferson, and
all the foreign ministers were present
AT James 3Iadisoa's second inaugura-
tion. IN 1913. the ban vas held al Davis.
now the Metropolitan Hotel Il was at
tended by the elite Of the city. together
with all those OF high official dignity.
The ball given al the first inauguration
Of James Monroe, in 1871 was also held
al Davis Hotel Il was reported as The
finest company ever assembled in Wash
iugton on such an occasion
The second inauguration Of Monroe
seems TO have passed unmarked By a
ball: at least there is no printed record
OF one
On the occasion Of John Q. Adams in
auguration. in 49,. the ball was held az
the assembly rooms al Eleventh street
and the Avenue. The President attended
and the ball was a brilliant and select
affair. Il Is said OF J. O. Adams that he
was the most perfect host. except Nil
lard Fillmore. the North ever gave %
the Presidency until the days Of Chester
Arthur Adams vas widely experienced
with men Of many minds, and, being him
self warm-hearted. he had the art OF
saving Just the thing 70 put the most
uneasy guest at ease. And the bah took
much OF its luster from his sparkling per
sOnality
Al Andrew Jackson's inauguration no
ball was held. as his wife had recently
died One cruel historian declares Mrs
jackson died Of JOY at her husbands
election. but she broke her heart with
brOoding over the slanderous gossip Of
the opponents 10 odd Hick0ry's" cam
Paign.
At his second inauguration Andrew
Jackson. having lived down his gTief, at
tended the ball given in honor OF the
occasion. Il was the finest the country
had seen. It was held at the Central
Masonic Hall. On the north side Of Penn
syivania avenue. near Four-and-a-haif
street The board o. aldermen. common
council mayor OF Washington. and many
prominent citizens and visitors were pres
ent Jackson and all the foreign minis
tiers were in attendance
In 1Ss7 there were two balls held in
honor Of Martin Van Buren's inaugura-
tion-one at CarusTs fashionable rooms,
and the other at the Assembly Rooms
The President only attended the one a.
Carusfs. and he was accompanied BY