Evening star., 1943-03-07
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

Fifty years ago the great topic Of the
week was the Inauguration Of Grover
Cleveland, re-
CIeveIonds InoueuroI turning to the
Speech White House for
q second term
after an absence Of four years. Other
events were Of such minor importance
that they received little news space for
that entire week. The Inauguration on
March 4, 1893. occurred on . Saturday,
and The Star Of that date got out extras
to cover the occasion. On page ! there
was large woodcut Of the new President
and the full text Of his speech, which
began: my Fellow Citizens: In obe-
dience to the mandate Of my countrymen,
am about to dedicate myself to their
service under the sanction Of . solemn
oath. Deeply moved by the expression
Of confidence and personal attachment
which has called me to this service, am
sure my gratitude can make no better
return than the pledge now give before
God and these witnesses Of unreserved
and complete devotion to the interests
and welfare Of those who have honored
me. deem it fitting on this occasion.
while indicating the opinions hold con-
corning public questions Of present inn
portance, to also briefly refer to the
existence Of certain conditions and ten
denotes among our people which seem to
menace the integrity and usefulness Of
their Government" This he proceeded
to do, In an address remarkably short for
the Importance Of the occasion, yet
touching adequately on such topics as
finance and tariff, civil service reform,
the dangers Of protection and paternal-
ism, and the publication OF political
methods.
Commenting on the inaugural parade,
The Star of March I, 1893, explained:
with martial tread and
lnoueurol soldierly bearing the militia
Parode Of the country have invaded
the Capital. Before their
bright swords and glittering muskets the
citizens Of washington have surrendered
and thrown open the gates Of the city.
From all directions the National
Guard Of the land has poured into the
city by the thousands to march in the
parade today In honor Of the inaugura-
ton of a new President. From the State
OF Pennsylvania alone have come up-
ward of eight thousand men. : The
inaugural procession today will be num-
bered among the great parades on Penn
sylvania avenue on account Of the num-
hny ond nh q "a efnr ~ nro~ ,,{wa inv. $I..&
took part" The parade, under the direc-
ton Of Mcmahon, grand marshal. lasted
for hours. Whole pages Of The Star were
taken up identifying and describing the
units Of which 1t was composed, with
woodcuts OF the commanders.
OF greater interest to the ladies and to
the social-minded was the inaugural ball,
held in the Pension Building,
lnoueurol Fifth and g streets. Pictures
Ball In The Star Of March 1,
1893, together with archi-
tectural floor plans in the same issue,
show how it appeared that night. The
main hall, 2s0 feet by 100 was supported
by eight large columns, In two rows Of
four. trisecting the ballroom, with an
extra-large ninth column In the exact
center. All we're draped with flowers
and greenery and the ceiling, $50 feet
high at the apex, was decorated with
huge canopy Of white and gold cloth.
hiding a utilitarian but ugly network
OF beams and girders. Elaborate prep
arations were made to take care Of hun
dreds Of horse cabs and private carriages.
There was press gallery, with tele-
graph ONCE nearby. and from It went
series reports describing the ball. Two
bands were provided. one for dancers
and one for promenaders. One Of these
was the Marine Band, directed by the
great John Philip Sousa. There were so
many members Of the Floor Committee
that two entire columns OF type were
necessary to print their names. A whole
page was devoted to the feminine guests.
with accounts of what they. wore.