Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-03-05

inauguration should be simple one,
and all through the fixed program
which covered more than five hours.
while there was the pomp, ceremony
and spectacular display which newt
ably attaches to the Inauguration of a
president, the studied effort was to
keep the ceremonies in accord with the
! best traditions of America-ceremon
les which in the main were planned
by George Washington more than a
century ago.
The event was simplified because
there was no dual ceremony to attend
the departure of an outgoing presi-
cent and further simplified because it.
cid not fall in with the rush and con-
fusion of the dying hours of congress.
The ceremony began with the presi-
dents departure from the white house
for the capitol That was fixed by pro-
gram for IL o'clock Just before that
time the escorts for the party began
assembling, a squadron of the Sec
ond United States cavalry for the pres
ident and the Black Horse troop OF
Culver Military academy for the vice
president. Just before the hour OF
departure the congressional commit
tee in charge of the Inauguration ar
rangements arrived.
Through the gates of the white
house grounds to Pennsylvania ave-
nue., the marching ground of inaugu-
raj armies of war and peace gone long
before, the official party headed to-
ward the capitol.
President Rode With Mrs. Wilson.
President Wilson, accompanied by
Mrs. Wilson and two members of the
congressional inaugural committee,
rode in conveyance surrounded By
troopers of the escort In the second
conveyance came the vice president
and Mrs Marshall. surrounded by the
Culver troop. The third conveyance
brought Robert N. Harper chairman
of the local arrangements committee
and the remaining members of the
congressional committee.
Steel cables strung along the line
Of march held multitude from crowd
iEg into the avenue. Reviewing stands
were well filled for the wait of some
two hours before the presidential par
ty would return at the head of the
Inaugural procession.
At the capitol the crowd already
was packed about the inaugural stand.
The broad plaza with standing room
for thousands filled rapidly and out
over the park spaces and avenues
which converge there another crowd
had to content itself with looking on
the ceremonies from distance, quite
out of reach of President Wilson's
voice.
When the official party arrived At
the capitol, the president with Mrs.
Wilson went to the presidents room
uear the senate chamber and the Yics
president and Mrs. Marshall went to
the vice presidents room to await ths
beginning of the ceremonies in the
senate chamber.
Galleries had been filling long be-
fore this hour. Invited guests of the
president, vice president, speaker and
justices of the supreme court of the
United States supplied with coveteG
cards of admission, were assigned t.
the east side. The gallery ordinarily
reserved for the diplomatic corps, was
given over to members of their fami-
lies, as the diplomats themselves were
assigned places on the floor Guests
of senator's were assigned to the north
east gallery. and guests of representa-
tives had seats in the three west
cnes.
Distinguished Party on Floor.
The party in the galleries was little
less distinguished than the party on
the floor 1t was composed of Amer
ican women scarcely less known than
their husbands taking part in the
ceremony below. men ami other wo-
men in the forefront of the social life
Of the nation, families of foreign dip
lcmats, who with memories of the res
piendent ceremonies OF the corona
tions of monarehes on other conti-
nents were about to see the compare
lively simple inaugural of an Ameri-
can president.
A food of light, softened By tic
tinted glasses in the lofty ceiling was.
cifused throughout the beautiful aud
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