Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-19
NEW PLAN FOR INAUGURATION
Suggestion That Assembly be Held
in Rotunda and Statuary Hall.
The Gathering Then Might lie n
Pleasure Instead of a Hardship
some History Of 1nnusurn-
tlOn.

The Washington correspondent Of the
Transcript says: why should not the
| inaugural ball be held in the rotunda
and Statuary Hall of the Capitol? This
question has been raised by James D.
Preston. superintendent of the Senate
Press Gallery; and the more the propo-
sition Is studied the better 1t looks. The
Idea has been taken rather seriously
by the newspaper correspondents. for Mr..
Preston Is a marvel in thinking out prac-
teal things and doing them, and he
would not have let himself get into
print on this matter II he had not thought
1t out from all its angles.
ut seems queer that it has never APP
peaed to the public that the Iotunda of
the Capitol is the logical md absolutely
proper place for the inaugural BALL"
says Mr.. Preston. 1T the question of
expense alone were to be considered, the
public would not have the right to com
| plain, because 1t can Immediately be
seen that tho outlay of money and labor
would be less here than in any other
place where such ball has been held
heretofore.
The spacious hall itself already has
its own characteristic adornments and
would interest and stir the patriotism
of visitors without the use of the cheap
draperies which have been a constant
menace to all assemblies In the Pension
Building The Illuminating system Of
the Capitol Is complete. and herein also
is an opportunity for economy. Any adj
ditional decoration would be Of the most
artistic kind. presenting a finished pic
turc. when the brilliant crowd has as
sembled. which could be equalled In no
other building In the United States.
ROTUNDA HAS BEEN USED BY
OUTSIDERS.
"rhe Official part Of the progra mme
always has been conducted at the Capitol.
and If 1t is befitting to inaugurate the
president and vice presldent-elect in the
Capitol Building it would seem that the
rest of the function might be completed
in the same place. The many strangers
who gather every four years would carry
away with them such a picture Of the
! Capitol as never has been presented be-
fore. Nor need the rotunda be filled to
suffocation all the time as the Pension
| building always is. for broad corridors
| lead off on each side to the Senate and
House chambers, while the use of the
Senate and House office buildings. which
should be made. would give several miles
OF covered way which would be appreciate
cd by the visitors. The rotunda has
been used in the past for social gather
ings. The first which ] recollec, was a
Martha Washington tea and a second
bazaar to start a fund Tor building u
Garfield memorial hospital
FESTIVITIES LARGELY rNoFFICIAL
From time immcmorial it has been a
matter of regret among thoughtful citi-
zcns that the festivities incident to in
auguration day should he so largely pri-
vate rather than public affairs. The
people NAV not realize it. but the official
oers monies play only a small part in the
events which have made inauguration
day famous all over the United States
The nall is not official neither is the
parade which attracts thousands from
even the farthermosr parts of the coun-
try. In fact, the actual ceremonies in
which the government officially partiCi-
pates can cost very little official time or
money. Were II not for the enterprise
Of citizens. the president-ecct would
drive to the Capitol--or he could ride there
horseback, as at least ono other presi-
dent did, If he chose-take the oath and
read his address on the steps of the
Capitol or IN the Senate Chamber and
attract very little attention along the
streets. Officially. nothin, is done much
out of the ordinary in the inauguration
Of president. the innovation being that
once during his four year term the Dresi-
dent visits the Capitol for another pur-
pose than that Of signing bills at the
adjournment of Congress.
CITIZENS FINANCE THE BALL.
Unoffcially. Washington is made a gala
town for the Inauguration of n presi-
dent, Months before Inauguration day
a citizens committee IS formed. one of
the leading bankers, usually. Is made
| its treasurer and from $4,000 to $3.50 n0
is collected. II not wrung. from business
men for the incidental expenses of the
day This committee works steadily I'M
Ill the day comes organizing the pro-
| cesson. building stands along Pennsyl-
vania avenue, seeing that the hall Of the
pension building is cleared and decorated,
printing Il programme and maintaining
a paid press bureau to advertise to the
country the attractions of the parade
and the ball. II is from the sale of the
tickets to the ball. at $40 apiece, that
the citizens recoup themselves in part for
their outlay. The new President and
Mrs. President attend the ball-which is
a ball only In name, for no one can
| dance the crush Is so great. In fact.
no one who lives in Washington attends
the inaugural ball If he can help II, for
its every moment Is a hardship, except
to the stranger
LIKE CLASS-DAY SPREADS.
The suggestion that the Capitol build
ings be used for the evening festivities
comes as promise of relief which every
one will welcome. Probably the same
| citizens's committee and the same collec-
ton might Unnecessary. at least in part, to
make the day what 1t always has been.
but the comfort OF the patrons of the
tall would be increased hundred per
cent if the Capitol could be used Every
senator and representative has large
| room OF his own: the committee quarters
often consist of several large rooms.
| while some of the new hearing and
caucus rooms are pretty sizable ball
rooms in themselves. When the Pension
Building is used the work of the Bureau
is interrupted for something like two
weeks, owing to the necessary shifting
OF furniture and offices. With the cap
itol used no such preparations would be
necessary Champ Ozark has a large
room adjoining the speakers private
office which would be ideal for the en-
tertainment OF intimate friends. Chair