The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-05
POMP AND DISPLAY
OF RECENT GROWTH
Inaugurations of Early Prcsi-
dents Were Devoid OF Elab-
crate Ceremonies.
WHAT HISTORY HAS TO TELL
Now. With Each Succeeding
Inaugural, Spectacular Ele-
ment Increases.
Especial to The Timcs-Dispatch. ]


Washington. March 4.-The pomp
and circumstance with which Prcs!-
dent Woodrow Wilson was borne into
office to-day was much at variance
with historical accounts OF early in
augurations
Many OF the early Presidents of tho
republic were opposed to spectacular
inausurals. first voiolng tho plea for
simplicity which President Wilson
made the keynote of his requests re-
garding this inauguration.
George Washington put himself on
record as an advocate OF induction
into office without pomp or ceremony.
by deprecatinG the demonstration
In New York
was held IA Independence Hall, Phlla
delphia. There was then less display
than there WAS four years before,
. when a crowd Of 10000 people cneerod
him as he took the oath Of Office on
tho balcony OF a famous old house at
Broad aud Wall Streets. New York
City.
Simplest Ever Held.
Tho first inauguration ceremonies
ever neld in Washington were those
OF Thomas Jefferson. whose inaugura
ton was the most simple ever held
here. On the morning of his iuaugu-
ration day lie walked. with select
group OF his closest adhcrcnts. 10 the
Capitol. where he took the oath of
office In the seclusion of the Senate
chamber.
When Madison was inaugurated In
lS09 the demand for tickets Of admis-
sion to the Senate chamber was so
mr. that be nItniniSt prpr. NJ a.
( oath was performed on the portico
of the old House of Representatives
in the sight or all the people setting
a precedent that has been more or less
strictly adhered 10 since.
James Monroe was borne into office on
the tide OF prosperity currently known
as the era OF good feeling" IT was
only natural that thousands OF peo-
pie should congrcgate to witness his
Induction into tho high seat of gov
ernment. Roads were better then than
in the earlier days. and 10000 persons
came to the capital city from all parts
OF the country. II Is recorded that the
crowd was so great that although
Monroe could DC seen by all. his words
did not carry TO the limits Of the CON
Gregation.
The Younger Adams returned to the
old style OF being inauSurated IN the
Senate chamber. but the citizens were
so cnragcd at this course that a free
for-all fight with the cavalry guard
about the Capitol is said to have taken
place The demand was that the presi-
dent should take the oath lin the sig ut
Of God and all the people,
When Andrew Jackson was elected
his Western supporters focked TO
Washington in such numbers that the
city hotels and lodging houses had not
capacity to accommodate them. They
were hard drinking. 0ghtinS frontiers
men. campsters rather than courtiers.
and they made Washington a city sur
charged With life and hoisterois ac-
tivity, which, l., is recorded. broke
bounds and orverfowed to the point OF
disorder,
1t then became patent that some
means Of caring for and regulating
the comfort and conduct OF Inaugural
/ ton visitors was cXpedicnt From
Jackson's inauguration on, therefore.
committees of citizens arranged and
/ prepared for the reception OF the in
| f'uX OF visitors on the 4th OF March.
Growth of Parade.
/ Prior to that time there had been
/ little in the way Of an Inauguration
! procession. Military escorts were pro
vided for tho new Presidents. but little
else. At Jacksou'S inauguration there
WAS a good deal OF street masking and
an Inaugural procession which rcscJn-
blcd . circus parade TO eliminate this
farcical display. five companies OF sol
dicrs We're ordered 10 march in III.