Evening star., 1925-02-22
Scenes of a Century With White House for Setting

stormed in, muddy boots and all,
smashed furniture in the struggle to
see their hero. climbed up on richly
upholstered divans and chairs and all
but wrecked the establishment. When
servants appeared with trays of
punch, they were mobbed. the glasses
and pitchers knocked out of their
hands and broken, and liquor spilled
on the floors. After two or three
hours of such excitement, which "Old
Hickory" thoroughly enjoyed, the
Presidents old friend and quarter
master, Maj William B. Lewis, set
punch tables up on the south lawn,
which instantly reduced the crowd
in the house. The gang surged about
the place all the afternoon and eve
ming, however, and when it was all
over many of them had to be carried
or helped away, because they had
partaken too lavishly of the punch,
which had plenty of kick.
THE first inaugural ball (an insti-
l. tuition that fiourished for more
than a century, to be abolished in
1913 by Woodrow wilson, was held
on March 4, 1899, when James Madi-
son was inaugurated to succeed JEFF
ferson. Madison and Jefferson both
attended, as did the gayly charming
Queen Dolly" as she was affec-
tionately known for 16 sparkling
years. Jefferson being a widower,
and Madison being his Secretary of
State, the delightful daughter of
Quaker John Payne was chateiaine
Of the White House for the eight
years of Jefferson's administration, as
well as the eight years of her hus-
bands.
At the great inaugural ball at
Longs Hotel, ''she looked a queen"
wearing gown of pale, buff-colored
velvet made plain, with very long
train, but not the least bit of trim
ming; a beautiful pearl necklace, ear
rings and bracelets; her headdress
was a turban of the same colored
velvet and white satin-from Paris,
with two superb plumes of the bird
of paradise feathers" Hoops or
crinoline caused her skirts and petit
coats to billow about her and beneath
the inevitable turban a few stray,
black curls escaped, to dance merrily
about her smiling face as she curt
sled, bowed and waved her dainty
hands to the other guests. 1t was
an occasion and a setting exactly
suited to the amiable, graceful lady,
who thoroughly enjoyed herself, as
she always did, despite John Quincy
was excessive, the heat oppressive
and the entertainment bad"
Jefferson had requested people not
to celebrate his birthday, as they
were beginning to celebrate Wash
ington's, so he was not embarrassed d
as Washington had been, just a few
days before the latter retired from
the Presidency, on March 4. 1877. The
capital at that time was still in Phil
adelphia, which was the largest town
in the country and the . gayest.
wealthy refugees from France had
taken up residence there, the Govern
ment officials and members of Con-
gress remained in the city most OF
the time, and many great families of
the revolutionary and pre-revolution-
ary days were at the height of their
Importance and influence. Taking its
tone from "Eady' Washington's ''re-
publican courts" society gave TO
Philadelphia the atmosphere and
graces of a European capital.
Into these select circles the trades
men OF the city and their families
were struggling to gain a footing, to
the indignation of the socially elect,
whose most exclusive Institution was
the City Dancing Assembly" whose
doors were barred against any per-
son remotely connected with trade. y
The assembly decided to celebrate
Washington's birthday with ball,
which should also be in the nature
of farewell to the President. IN
vitations were sent out for the night
OF February %. Not a tradesman was
invited. But the tradespeople got
together, formed a society Of their
own, to which they gave the same
name, city Dancing Assembly" and
issued invitations for a farewell ball
to Washington for the night of Feb
ruary 81. The town gasped and
waited to see which invitation Wash
ington would accept. He solved the
problem by attending both parties.
Copyright, 1925, by Current News
Features, Inc.9
Next Sunday Mr.. Newman will re-
cite the interesting differences be-
tween early stately inanrrrala and