Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-04
LACK OF CAPITOL SPACE
is INAUGURAL PROBLEM
Foreign Diplomats Often Subjected
to Much Crowding and
Confusion.

windy and a bit chilly for a long time
in the open air. no protests we're offered.
At John Quincy Adams Inauguration
the corps was Respondent group %
which every influential country =
Europe was represented and many 81
the diplomats knew the incoming Presi-
dent through his prolonged service in
the capitals from which they came.
Sir Stratford Canning sent by George
w, had met Mr.. Adams in London
when he was Mr.. MadiSOn's Minister.
Baron de Tuyll had known him in st.
Petersburg. The corps, then number
ing 80 members, including secretaries
on the staffS of Ministers and charge
d'affaireS and the women of their fan1i-
lies, were given numbered seats just
above the circle in the Senate chamber
where members of the House we're
placed. Mr.. Adams had published in
the local daiiies the full order of pro-
cedure and had in addition sent to all
guests of rank written invitation in
Guiding a card Of admittance to the
Senate chamber. The ball of March
4, 1925, dignifled and attended by many
of the ENJOYS and their wives, was too
crowded for comfort. The National
Intelligencer mentioned that the gown
of Baroness de Tuyll, wife Of the
Russian Minister, was cruelty rent.
Chaos reigned most of the time
during Andrew Jackson's two terms.
at the Capitol, but at the in
auguratio of Martin Van Bureau. who,
like John Quincy Adams, had a diplo-
matte career behind him, more cordial
relations were resumed with the now
large foreign contingent. Baron Gerold
represented the Kingdom of Prussia
and the North German Union and the
Hanseatic League had an envoy in resi-
dence. Herve Hans Rumff, sent to
and commerce. Portugal Brazil and
four of the recently liberated
Latin countries to the south had repre-
sentatives, with all of whom the Presi-
dent and his Secretary of State, John
Forsyth of Georgia. were on terms Of
cordial friendship. But the membership
of the corps and the number of Sena-
tors and Members of the House in
creased while the space in the Senate
chamber remained stationary. Com
plants about torn garments. Of paying
for suppers at inaugurals which: be
cause of crowds, they did not obtain
were received by the State Department
after every Inauguration day.
Some Unable to Enter.
The climax came at Gen. Grants
first Inauguration into Office. The
diplomatic corps made an effort to be
present at the Capitol and to attend
| the widely heralded ball. All went well
at the Capitol. but the ball was 50
| crowded that some of the foreign diplo-
mats never obtained an entrance, and
the supper advertised for days proved
regular barmecidal feast. Few OBJ
| tanned as much as a cup of coffee. The
menu printed with other announce
ments Of the great day named terrapins.
oysters. salmon, Montpelier saddle of
| veniSon, saddle of mutton, cold game,
| patties, roast beef la mode. spiced
and picked, cold roast beef, cold boned
| turkey. hot roasted and stuffed turkey.
wild turkey, cartridges. quail. cold ham
and tongue, lobster salads, breads and
| cakes. hot and cold and of all kinds.
and ices. fruits. preserves and con-
serves and coffee.
OF the corps Sir Edward Thornton
and Lady Thornton made the entrance
in safety. They danced all evening.
Lady Thornton going through
quadrille with Gen. Washburne, after
ward dancing an involved number with
Gen. Acosta, Minister from Colombia.
| Some of the diplomats excluded from
| the ball after receiving official and per-
sonal invitations to be present were the
Minister from Sardinia. Count Colobri-
ano. and later the Envoy of Victor
Emmanuel when he became King of
United Italy: the Minister from Austria,
Count de Lederer, and the charge
d'affaires of Greece, M Rangubu. Wal
| demar de Bodisco. a member Of the
Russian legation and nephew Of the
former Envoy of the Gar. Alexander
de Bodisco, failed to get into the ball
room. He missed his only opportunity
to dance with Miss Nellie Grant, as he
was transferred to Paris soon after
The committee of citizens in charge of
the inaugural ball waited on those who
failed to gain entrance to the ball and
presented apologies that they had been
Inconvenience.
Since John Quincy Adams day space
has been reserved for the corps and
Under existing methods 1t may be held
until each one arrives.
Inauguration balls OF the old-tirne
pomp have passed, and members of the
present corps at the charity ball at
the Auditorium will be placed in boxes
Dancing on the occasions Of inaugu-
rails went out at the first Cleveland ball.
and the grand march and promenade
succeeded at ensuing events Of this
nature.