The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-01-24

Always a pleasing and picturesque fea-
ture OF the ceremonies attending the
quadrennial induction into Office Of the
President OF the United States. il is pro-
posed TO make the forthcoming inaugural
ball a great national function OF supreme
interest and significance.
Il viii take the form OF a reception by
President Taft and Vice President Sher-
man 70 the country az large.
Each state in the Union viii be official
y represented on the floor by one Of its
distinguished sons. whose mission II VII
be to cooperate officially in the presenta-
ton Of the people to the great men OF
the nation who VIII be present
VIII Eclipse Others.
A spectacle unequaled in magnihcence
has invariably been witnessed az the in
augural balls of the past The next
function probably viii eclipse al others
in spIendor. and especially in its national
aspect The night Of March 4. following
the inaugural ceremonies proper and the
pageant on Pennsylvania avenue, IS the
tine fixed.
Mr.. Gist Blair. whose father. Mont
gomery Blair, the Postmaster General in
the Cabinet OF President Lincoln and con
spicuously AID honorablv identified with
the affairs Of his day, is chairman Of the
committee in charge Of the ball. and IN
der the direction and approval Of the in
augural committee proper has SO planned
~r---a N On
through the forty-six States into direct
and active participation in the function
Is National City.
washington" said Chairman Blair. IN
discussing the arrangements yesterday.
is a national city-a city belonging 10
the country. II IS the desire that all who
come 10 che Inauguration, and there
promises 10 be the largest attendance in
history. should feel Jhat in coming 10
the Capital City they are coming TO their
own city The bah viii be essentially
and distncJively national A representa-
tive man Of each state has been. OF viii
be designated as a member Of the in
augura ball committee. Quite a number
already have accepted these appoint
pleasurable duty conferred upon them
These gentlemen will know the people
who come from their respective States
and viii see that they are properly in
troduced 10 The statesmen and their wives
and other distinguished visitors who viii
be present Thus It IS hoped and ex-
pected 10 bring the forty-six States into
close touch with the National Capital on
this memorable occasion
''Washington's part in the Inauguration
IS in 10 sense local L is national Every
State should feel a proprietary interest in
It, and take pride in its beauty and de-
velOpment into the finest Capital in the
world. The States, through the Senators
and Representatives whom they send to
Congress. control Washington. and have
its destiny in hand. II is ruled by Con
Eress. so far as it Is ruled at all Our
board Of District Commissioners can only
make recommendations and execute the
viii Of Congress
Tt is well that all visitors should IN
derstand this situation. ana thus more
clearly appreciate the dominating national
characteristics Of Washington on the
occasion which will be so splendidly Cele-
brated.
Full Of Interest.
'AH the features OF the Inauguration
viii be full Of stirring human patriotic
interest-beginning with the ride from
the White House 10 the Capitol OF the
outgoing and incoming President, the
taking Of the oath. administered by the
Chief Justice Of the United States Su-
preme Court. and the delivery Of the in
augural address in the presence Of a vast
concourse Of people on the Capitol plaza;
the imposing parade and the review Of
the military and civic bodies by the
President in front Of the White House;
the elaborate display Of fireworks from
the Monument grounds Immediately after
uightfaIl. and eliminating in the inau-
gural ball which viii round out the DAY
Annually il IS the custom Of the
President Of the United States 10 give
four great receptiOns-One 10 the diplO-
matte corps. one 10 the judiciary. one 10
the army and navy. and one 70 Congress.
Then there Is the New Years Day re-
ception at the White House. when the
official and resident element OF the Capi-
tai are received.
But in the nature Of things the
country at large has no large part in
these White House functions. Now. il is
the purpose. as I have outlined. 10 make
the Inaugural ball really a reception on
the part Of President Taft and Vice
President Sherman 20 the entire country.
and the plans are sufficiently advanced at
this time 10 leave no doubt that this
forthcoming function viii be one Of THE
most notable social events in-the history
Of this republic.
Become Social Center.
Washington, I may add. has become
the social center Of the nation. as II Is
also becoming the educational. the scien-
tifiC. the musical, and the art center OF
the nation. Al; this is coming logically
about as the result Of Washington's place
as a national city, upon which its pre-
eminent greatness rests and forever must
rest North, South, East, and West have
already given representatives. TO this COM
mittee in the names OF former Coy.
MyrOn T Herrick, from Ohio: Speaker
James W Wordsworth, IT., from New
York; Chester A. Arthur. son OF Presi-
dent Arthur, from Colorado; Col. Fred
erick H Smith. from Illinois; Gen. Felix
Agnus, the veteran editor Of the RaIti-
more American ana u0au-- n4-c--