The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-05
BALL PRECEDENT
BROKEN BY WILSON
First Time in Many Years Great
Social Function Has Not
Been Held.
soME HISTORIC AFFAIRS
From Time of Madison Down
Rule Has Had But Few
Exceptions.
Especial to Tho Times pispatch.1

Especial to Tho Times Dispatch.J
Washington. March 4.-Presldent
Wilson. in abandoning the inaugural
ball and reception, broke n precedent
which has been in existence almost
as long us tho republic itself The
inauguration OF Washing ton. Jeffer-
son and Adams wero not accompanied
by dancing, only small receptions be-
ing given, but from the time OF Mad
ison down 1t has come to be the GUS
tom for tho now President to show
himself ut some social function on tho
night oc his inauguration. To this
rule there has been but few eXcep-
lions.
To avoid the necessity of holding n
public reception, President Madison at
tended tho first inaugural ball in his
tory. which was held In Longs Hotel,
Washington. At his first inauguration
he and President jefferson, who was
then retiring. stood together and re-
ccivcd all Corners at the White House,
and it proved a very tedious affair
even then.
| President Monroe attended an in
auguration ball at Davis's Hotel.
where the Metropolitan Hotel now
stands These two successive balls es-
tablishcd a precedent, and when Pres
idcnt Adams was inauGuratcd the ball
/ had come to be a matter OF course.
4 President Jackson decided TO hold
White House reception and serve
| refreshments, but he was sorry after
ward. hungry horde descended on
the White House. and 1t is related
that after the ball everything In tho
! White House had been eaten up ex-
cept some bcefsteak which the Presi-
dent and Nice-Presideut had cooked
! for their personal enjoyment. He got
enough OF such affairs, and at his sec
! ond inauguration attended u ball.
/ When Martin Van Buren, WAS In
I auguratcd there were two balls. only
! one OF which he attended. Harrison
attended three. and danced ut each
| place. Two balls were also held for
| President Polk. and he went TO both.
| When Zachary Taylor was inaugurated
a temporary building for a ball was
erected In Judiciary Square, and two
| other balls were also held on that
night. Both President Taylor and
| Vicc-Presldent Fillmore attended all
dances. and gained much in popular
| ity.
Pierce and the Vice President. as
sisted by the former President, held
n diGnifed reception in the East Room
of the White House.
The first really dignified and salts
! factory inaugural ball was the one
| given when President Buchanan as
sumcd office.
Lincoln held n reception in the East
Room OF the White House on the day
| or his first inauguration, but attended,
| none or the balls held in Washington
| that night. since none was considered
official. After his second inaugural
| ton. ball was held in the model
room OF the Patent Office, and was
largely attended. 1T was the first
held In government building II Ia
| rented that Mrs. Lincoln attended
The north wing OF the Treasure
Building was used for the BAH after
Grants first inauguration When ha
was inauGurated the second time a
large building was erected in JudicI-
airy square
There was no inaugural ball after
Hayess inauguration. since 1t was not
settled until March who was TO be
Prcsidest. The Garfield ball was hold
in the newly completed National
Museum. and the President and his
party stayed for about two hours.
The Pension Building was about
I completed when Cleveland was drst
( inauSuratcd. and thcre the ball was
held. When he was inauguratcd for
the second time, eight years later.
the ball was held in tho Pension Office
again. and both the President and Mrs
! Cleveland attended a ball was also
| held in the same building for President
| Harrison.
When President Mckinley was in.
| auEurated the Pension Office was used
| again.