Evening star., 1921-01-23
REs1DENT-ELEcT HARDING'S
- decision not to hold the in
/ augural ball will provide the

n
fourth precedent in the history
Of the United States for abandonment
of the time-honored custom. Presi-
dent Hayes was the first President to
enter the White House without par
ticipating in ball festivities. Instead
of attending an elaborate function
such as his predecessors in Office had
seen. he was the guest OF honor at a
reception at the White House.
President Wilson was the second
to do away with the inaugural ball.
on the occasion of his election to the
presidency for the first term. He es-
tablished the third precedent when he
was reelected in 1917. Even the al
Tentative feature of reception was
eliminated by Mr.. Wilson on both oc-
casions.
Until the first Inauguration of Presi-
dent Wilson, the series OF balls or
receptions constituting important
phases Of the festivities attending
the induction into office of the coun-
try's leaders had remained unbroken
since the second Inauguration OF
George Washington. When Gen.
Washington was first installed as
President Of the young republic, the
festivities were limited to informal
acclamation of the new government
and it's head. However. when ne was
reelected for second term. the oc-
casion was celebrated. with ball ex-
ceedingly elaborate for those days.
held in Philadelphia, then the Capital
CITY, This was not an omclaI iunc-
ton, in the strict sense of the phrase.
but was an af1air sponsored py ,. Inc
Philadelphia Dancing Assembly. The
ball was not attended by the general
public. Members of the House and
Senate, and other officials OF the gov
ernment were the principal guests
although a number OF invitations
were sent to pr p5omlnent miner cifies fss.aehS u
The second ball also was held in
Philadelphja to celebrate the election
of President Adams. The great croWo
attending the function could NOT 1or-
get the fact. however. that whlle q
new President had been sworn 1ns the
nations idol, George Washington, was
stepping back into private life. Con-
seouently. the celebration was some
what dampened. In fact. reports OF
the affair are inclined to emphasize
the occasion as a farewell recep-
tinn" to the retiring hero, rather than
as celebration in honor of his sue
cesSor.
washington first became the scene
Of the inaugural festivities with the
election Of Madison, ,, The ne eeremo9ies niht fn1
lowing his induction into Office. held
in old Longs Hotel The dances of
that period included the minuet. Vir-
ginia reel and similar movements less
gymnastic than the modern Jazz"
The citizen of that day was not
entirely without his sense of hilarity.
however, even though the jazz had
not come into it's own. This was
proved when President Jackson en-
tered the White House in the midst
rary writer's as approximating dis
graceful orgy" This orgy" is worthy
of passing note by one whose knowl-
edge Of bacchanalian revels is con-
|fined to history. The White House
several hours later all were elected.
forcibly and by invitation. after the
handsome reception rooms had been
turned into scenes of the widest dis
order. The cause Of the disgrace
full" actions was the barrels of rum
and other spirits which were dis
pensed to the guests.
K X + +
The White House has not since
been used for public social gather
inxs. On his second inaugural cele-
bration President jackson saw to it
that the ball was held at some place
other than the Executive Mansion.
The old Central Masonic Hall was
selected for this purpose, and the
stateliness and grandeur of the func-
ton established a precedent.
Martin Van Buren attended two
inaugural balls upon his election to
ONCE. The first was held in Carusi's
salon, on the site of the old Lyceum
Theater, at 11th street and Penn
sylvania avenue. The original build
ing later was remodeled into thea
-, Raau ueshptlfeh2 lncceeaine4nteT.