Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-04
MONTHS OF TOLL END In JOB WE'LL DONE BY INAUGURAL

American Presidents, a custom
i which was started as a matter
of courtesy when George WASH
ington took his first -uth of Office as
President, has now grown to the point
where it presents most difficult prob
lem to the guiding spirits OF present.
day inaugurations.
When Mr.. Hoover took the oath to-
day, the brilliantly attired diplomatic
representatives of S. foreign govern
ments would have been in attendance
IL all the nations entitled to this privi-
lege had sent delegates. Because of
lack of space at the Capitol these for
eign dignitaries are often subjected to
much crowding and confusion when
they take their places among the hun
dredS of other prominent persons en-
titled to be present on this occasion.
The probability that each of these
diplomats might have exercised his
privilege of bringing an aide with him
further complexities the work OF those
who must see to the comfort OF the
visitors while they are guests at this
Nations most noted ceremony.
No Such Problem at First.
When the custom was first started
no such problem arose.
The diplomatic corps which presented
fluctuations to President Washington on
April &c.. 1889, was composed of four
members-Count de Mousitier OF
France, Senior Jose Ignacio de War OF
Spain, Meinherr Petra Won Berkel OF
the Netherlands and Herr Pedro
FLICKER Olsen, Danish consul who had
been specially commissioned for the
President Jefferson's induction into
office March 4, 1901, was the first
staged in this Capital, and the corps
had been considerably augmented
through the past IL years. George III
had relented sufficiently toward his
rebellious colonists to send a repre-
sentative, and 1901 found an amiable
charge d'affaires, Edward Thornton, up
lifting the British flag on the legation
house on Pennsylvania avenue. Mr.
Thornton is of interest because ne
was the grandfather of the distinguish
ed British diplomat. Sir Edward Thorn
ton, who came to Washington In time
for President Grants inauguration ir
1869, and who later built the fine man
sion on Connecticut avenue and n
street used for legation and embassy
purposes since 1917.
Affable as Charge d'Affairs Thorn
ton proved, he could not but feel the
1iscomforts of the new city, and hi
discloses in 1903 in a letter to hi:
chief in London that his home was
merely rooted and closed in but con-
| tanned no conveniences whatever, NJ
fixtures for lighting-that Is, bracket!
for candles or lamps-and that the
only water on the place was from 6
pump at the end of the street. More
over, Pennsylvania avenue was moraS:
and he would never have reached the
Capitol to see the induction Of Mr.
Jefferson If Daniel Carroll Of Carrolltor
had not courteously placed a horse anC
r.ounted colored orderly at his disposal
Theoretically, the few diplomats en-.
titled to the privilege Of witnessing Mr.
Jefferson's taking the oath of office
had been made comfortable, but no,
all Of them had the luck Of Mr.. Thorn
ton, The Spanish Minister, Count
Carlos de Urijo. attempted to ride ir
state to the Capitol. A handsome
equipage had been obtained from
among his friends in the Maryland
gentry. for the count played leading
role in the opening chapters Of socia
history and many horses and carriage:
were at his disposal. But the road tt
| the Capitol was not in condition fol
coach Of state and outriders anc
the representative of the count wa.
compelled to abandon his carriage anc
to plod to the legislative halls only
! to meet the procession on its return
Mr.. Jefferson invited all those In the
seats of the mighty to call for refresh.
ments in the White House on the
! afternoon of the great day. That the
new Chief Magistrate paid undue at
tention to Louis Pinchon. French Min.
lister sent by Napoleon, then first con-
sui, put Mr.. Thornton in a low state
Of mind.
Provisions for Diplomats.
When James Madison became Presi-
dent in 1909 he made special provision
for the diplomatic corps, then recently
enriched by the coming of the first
Russian minister, Baron Andre de
Daschkoff. Mrs. Madison knew every
member OF the corps very well. How
ever the ENJOYS and their stats did net
number 20 persons. and they were al
regarded as the flower of resident So
ciety. The inaugural ball was a select
affair. with the guests approved by
!: committee from the WASHINGTON
assembly which Mrs. Madison had
helped to form. Baron de Daschkoff
danced several times with the First
Lady. sat at the presidential round table
at supper with the other diplomats and
leaders Of the day Mr.. Madison had
teas in the garden at appropriate times.
and the serving of ices and cakes In the
Octagonal Blue Room. as the historic
reception room was called in her day.
and society. foreign and domestic, had
little cause for complaint.
Mrs. Monroe gave touch Of Old
World stateliness to the amenities of Mr..
Monroe's term. beginning with the in
augural ball. WaShingtn had marshal
for the District by this time and the
precise place where the corps was
seated was made known to the menu
bers by special messenger, each seat
being numbered.
The fifth President was the first to
have an al fresco Inauguration in tent
erected in front of the Capitol facing
the east. Various reasons are, ascribed
by current writer's for this departure,
but the obvious one Is that the Capitol,
having been damaged as to its flooring
by the British troops after the defeat
Of Bladensburg in 1914, was deemed
unsafe for crowded gathering. The
day was fair and the guests of honor
were under shelter, and though 1t was