Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 March 1893 — GROVER TAXES HIS SEAT. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

GROVER TAXES HIS SEAT.

Imposing Ceremonies in the Capital City. ’MID SLEET AND SNOW THE NEW ADMINISTRATION IS USHERED IN. Cleveland and Stevenson Placed at the Head of the Nation Amid Great Democratic Enthusiasm—Nearly Hair a Million Visitors In Washington—Chief Justice Fuller Administers the Oath—Military Demonstration The Inaugural Ball Gen. Harrison’s Welcome Heme. Democracy’s Great Day.

ROVER CLEVELAND has for the second time been inaugurated President of the United States, and the ceremonies attending his re-ac-cession to the office were noted for more than usnal pomp and splendor: These inauguration ass airs

are pretty big things, and this second inauguration of Mr. Cleveland was a little the biggest thing of the sort ever seen in this country, and that means, of course, the biggest affair of the kind ever seen anywhere, for no other country than ours, and no other city than Washington, can boast among its attractions a quadrennial coronation by an outpouring of the masses and an outcropping of intense partisan ioy. Most countries have to be satisfied with coronations at rare intervals or presidencies assumed by proclamation, Bans ceremonie, and the United States is the only country in the world that can be depended on for regular inaugurations every four years, conducted with a pomp and eclat befitting party triumphs. While every inauguration has been conducted with appropriate display, naturally great enthusiasm is called out when the victorious party has been out of power during the closing administration. It required months for the people of Washington to prepare for the event, even accustomed as they are to arrange such ceremonies.

For more than half a day the city looked like a vast military camp, the almost interminable marching of regulars ahd the well-equipped military forces of the States being broken in upon only by the visiting Governors in their civilian costumes, riding past in the order that their States were admitted into the Union, and accompanied .by their brilliantly uniformed staffs. Then, wita an intervening interlude of Grand Army and Union veterans, oame the civic half of the parade, fully as numerous and as interesting as the military display. . The weather was bad. Friday there was a storm abroad, and its center was gruvitating toward the Potomac Valley. During the night it broke, and when Washington and his family awoke Saturday morning there was two inches of snow on the ground and as many more floating in the' air. By noon the snow had ceased to fall, but the wind had shifted to the northeast, whence came a cutting, icy blast straight from Nova Scotia. The northeaster caught the deep snow and blew it in a biting cloud into the faces of the crowd. The bronze lady at the summit of the dome of the Capitol was coated in ice. Ice lay an inch thick on the huge wooden platform of two acres extent erected for the ceremonies, and the derricks on the unfinished Library Building across the plaza were gaunt and shining like the arms of huge frozen ghosts. The capital city for this occasion was deoked out as it never had been decked

before, but the acres of flags and miles of bunting which adorned the public buildings and private shops and' residences became a ghastly drooping and unpleasant forco when seen through the almost opaque medium of the snowcharged air of inauguration morning. These great inaugurals have three principal, popular features. One is the giand parade from the Capitol down the avenue past the Treasury and the White House. This occurs in the afternoon. A second popular feature Is the fireworks and illumination in the *vening, and the third is the inaugural ball. These are the features in which the groat crowds of visitors are interested. The inauguration itself is not much to them, because so few are able to see the new President and Vice President take the oath of office. Only 1,700 people can,be crowded into the Senate Chamber, where Vice President Stevenson was sworn in, and after the Diplomatic Corps, the House of Bepresentatives, the Supreme Court, the Army and Navy, the press and families of high officials, and a few favored or influential persons have been accommodated there isn’t any room left. As a matter of fact this year not one in a hundred of the people who thought their importance entitled them to admission were able to get in. There was more pulling and hauling and scheming and cajoling than there will be for the offices which Grover will have to give out. But the public could see the new President read his inaugural address. Two or three thousand were able to hear him, and 40,00 ii or 50,000 were able to look on, and those with sharp vision could see hie lips move. A large proportion of the organizations that were to take part in the parade arrived the day and night beforehand and, in spite of the turbulence of the elements, made a gay night of it. All the morning new marching clubs were arriving, and all the side streets were filled with Democratic societies prepared to shout their throats raw for Cleveland and Stevenson. Moan time the committee and their aids were fly-

• me V ing around, while marching bands sounded the first notes of the coming carnival. At the Arlington Hotel Presi-dent-elect Cleveland was an early riser, and as soon as breakfast was out of the way he and party found Senator Ransom and one of the Republican members of the Senate committee on arrangements waiting with carriages to conduct them to the White House. There the President was waiting for

them. About the same time Vice Fresi-dent-elect Stevenson arrived from the Ebbitt House, where he was quartered with his party. He was escorted by the third member of the Senate committee on arrangements. During the morning the members of the cabinet visited the White, House, and for the last time had short conferences with the President in their capacity as cabinet officers before he descended to the blue room to greet the incoming President and party. The house was filled with tributes in the shape of floral pieces, sent from all parts of the country. Drive to t lit 1 Capitol. Shortly before 11 o’clock the president and President-elect entered the carriage to drive to the capitol. They were seated in a carriage, drawn by four bay horses. The President occupied the right-hand seat, with the President-

eleot on his leftf, while facing them, with their backs to the horses, rode the dignified Senator Ilansom, of North Carolina, who was a member of the committee before at Mr. Cleveland’s inauguration, with Senator Teller on his left. Behind them was another carriage, in which rode Vice Presi-dent-elect Stevenson with a third member of the inauguration committee. This coach was drawn by four white horses. The members of the retiring and incoming Cabinets paired off and entered carriages.’ Headed by the open carriage in which the two Presidents sat with the snow falling about them, giving their great coats a white covering, the party moved out of the White House grounds. After tbe departure of the Presidential party the ladies of the White House, and also those of Mr. Cleveland’s party, entered closed carriages and were driven to the Capitol. The march up Pennsylvania avenue took about half an hour, during which the crowds from one end of the line to the other rent the air with cheers upon cheers. When the procession reached the Peace Monument at the rear of the Capitol, the Chier of the Capitol police force, with his men, cleared the way to the Senate approaoh at the east, while the procession wound its way through the south portion of the snowcovered grounds, and along the east front of the Capitol to the Senate, where the President and Presidentelect left their carriages, and, each leaning on the arm of a member of the Senate escort committee, disappeared within the Capitol. Meanwhile in the Senate chamber the scene had been comverted into an exampled setting for the historic scene which was to take place. The most distinguished men and women in this country had gathered in the Senate for the first acts in the inauguration. The Senators themselves were seated on the right of

the Senate, with the Democratic side left clear for the distinguished people who were to adorn the occasion. Then came the arrival of the diplomatic corps, which was one of the very interesting features, as every diplomat who had a uniform or national costume wore it Many ladies of the legations occupied the diplomatic galleries alsb. The next to arrive were the Justices of the Supreme Court and then came the families of the incoming President and Vice President Then after a moment of

waiting "the President of the United States 7 was announced and entered, leaning on the arm of the Senator who had been attending him all the morning. He sat just in front of the Vice President's desk, and at once the Presidentelect appeared through the large swinging doors and took his seat beside Mr. Harrison. Innuffnral Ceremonies. Mr. Stevenson's great moment bad

now come, and all eyes were turned to him as he walked up the aisle to the right and took up a position on the step at the right of the desk, of which, in another five minutes, he was to become the lawful incumbent for the ensuing four years. Then Mr. Morton Said: “The Chair has the pleasure of announcing that the Vice President of the United States is in the Senate, and, if agreeable to him; I will now administer to Urn the oath of office." It was, of course, agreeable to Mr. Stevenson. Gentlemen In the position whioh he then occupied were never known to object, aud the presiding officer, with due solemnity, continued: “Youdo solemnly swear that you will support the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic; that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that you take this obligation freely and without mental reservation

or evasion, and that you will faithfully discharge the duties of the office in which you are about to enter, so help you God." All the new Senators were sworn in after the Vice President had oeen sworn in. Senator Martin (Populist), of Kansas, was sworn in without opposition and took his seat. The Senate was then organized and adjourned to witness the Inaugural ceremonies. The inaugural party left the Senate chamber to go to the great inaugural platform in the order of precedence adopted by the Senate many years ago. Not until the people on the floor of the chamber had been ushered out was anyone permitted to leave the galleries. The press representatives were the next to go, and then followed the crowd of spectators. The order in which the party left the Senate Chamber and appeared upon the inaugural platform was as follows:

The Marshal oflhe District of Columbia and the Marshal of the Supreme Court. The Chief Justices and Associate Justices. The Bergeant-at-arms of the Senate. The Senate Committee on Arrangements. The President and the President-elect. The Vice President and the Secretary of the Senate. The members of the Senate, two by two. The members of the Diplomatic Corps. The heads of departments. The General of the Army and the Admiral of the Navy. The members of the late House of Representatives. led by the Speaker and the Clerk. Distinguished guests of the Senate. Now comes another of the momentous instants. The President-elect is about to be inaugurated. It was just 1:30 o’clock when the first •of the Presidential party emerged from the great door of the Capitol at the rotunda. The appearance of President Harrison and Mr. Cleveland served as a signal for the hundreds of thousands of people packed in the great park before the Capitol to break forth in one prolonged shout. Spread out before the occupants of the stand were acres and acres of heads. The vast assemblage mjght be likened to a great prairie grain field, but it was a surging wave of human grain. As far as one could see the people were packed like raisins in a box. Away down the streets in every direction the crowd surged, bayonets gleamed and brass buttons danced in the reflected light from the snow. Thousands of soldiers and civic organizations were stamping their benumbed feet, waiting the order to march, and in front of the grand old Capitol they made a spectacle that was worth going hundreds of .miles to see, and one that was well calculated to stir the heart of him who was about to assume the duties of the highest office in the gift of the American people. With the reverterat'ng cheers from all of these, added to those coming from the immediate vicinity of the great platform, the demonstration was so prolonged that it was some time before Mr. Cleveland could begin his inaugural address which he then delivered. When it was finished amid renewed cheers, which seemed to grow more excited each time, Mr. Cleveland turned to the Chief Justice of his own creation, and said: “I am now prepared to take the oath prescribed by law. ” The scene 'that followed awed the multitude into stillness. It was the scene for the tight of 'which many a man in the crowd had fought. It is the crowning scene in the life of any American citizen, and no doubt the signification flashed over many a man and woman there. There was the true illus. tration of the great American rallying cry: “Of the people, for the people, and by the people. ”

As the President stood there and looked out on the people he was to govern, he saw representatives of every branch that makes this great nation. People of every degree and condition, and for the peace and prosperity of all these, and many more, he is responsible. There were brilliant uniforms, and up the street was a detachment of artillery, whose cannons thundered forth as he bent to kiss the Bible and for the second time bound himself to be the father of the nation. Then the crowd on the platform and the crowd below broke loose. There was no restraint to Democratic ardor. The cheers almost awoke the dead on Arlington, where many a man sleeps who, only four years ago. stood on that very same platfoYm and listened to Benjamin Harrison take the same oath. The people crowded about the newly made President, and it was with difficulty that Ire escaped their congratulations and reached the shloter of the ckpitol. After the delivery of the inaugural address President Cleveland and exPresldent Harrison returned to the chamber, going at once to Mr. Morton’s private room. Here an elaborate buffet lunch was ready and was speedily enjoyed. After the lunch and a few minutes spent in chatting with those present Mr. Cleveland and Mr. Harrison emerged from the room and were driven rgpidiy to the White House. Mr. Cleveland walked from the public door of the White House to the reviewing stand in front of the piazza. The Great Parade. Now came the great military demonstration of the day. During the forenoon the military companies at their convenience marched to the plaza beyond the eastern front of the Capitol, and were there assigned to their various positions in line. They were drawn up in front of the vast throng and the civio societies were also assigned places there. Soon after the oath was administered the procession started, returning to the White House by way of Pennsylvania avenue. Mr. Cleveland and those whom he had invited then from a reviewing stand which had been erected in front of the White House honored the military and civic organizations by saluting and being saluted. Fourteen Governors, accompanied by their staffs, participated in the parade and marched at the head of the troops and political clubs from their respective

States. The Governors wore the black clothes of the civilian, but the members of their staffs were in full uniform. Including them there were nearly 50,000 men in line. The parade was five hours passing the stand- and when the sun went down and darkness closed on the city the air was still full of the blare of brass bands. When darkness fell upon the scene President Cleveland, who was almost the last to leave the stand, returned to the White House and sat down to a family dinner. There were present the President and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Perrine, Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson, Mr. and Mrs. Lamont, Miss Saunders, Mrs. Damont’s cousin and guest, Private Secretary Thurber and Misses Bessie and Julia Lamont. Ball Hiui Banquet. The inaugural ball was a great affair.

The enormous hall in the Pension Building will accommodate about 15,000 persons," but the number of tickets sold to the ball this year was limited to 12,000 at $5 per ticket. There were one hundred musicians in the main orchestra and sixty in the promenade orchestra. The floor manager had 600 assistant£, to each of whom was assigned a section of the hall. They were all in communication with their chief by electric wire Every one pressed his button when the sets in his part of the hall were filled, and when all hod

signaled, the floor manager started the music. The President and Vice President, accompanied by the Presidential party, arrived shortly after nine o'clock, and were received in a manner In keeping with the occasion. There' was such an enormous crush that dancing wasalmost as vigorous an exercise as playing foot-ball, but all had a ecod time. It was determined that this Cleveland inauguration ball should be remembered for years as the great floral ball. Tha upholstery has always had most to do-

with making the Pension Office a beautiful ball-room, but this year the great dependence was placed on the florist, in recognition of Mrs. Cleveland's fondness for flowers. It was a perfect dream of floral art. The orchestras were stationed under two great arches built at the north and south entrance to the building, They were sixty feet high and thirty feet wide at the base. On one In incandescent lights was inscribed “Cleveland” and on the other "Stevenson.” Placques of ivy sprayed with roses and other flowers Were displayed on a field of pure white cloth. With the placques were displayed artistic arrangements of flowers of every conceivable variety and hue. Emblazoned on escutcheons was the coat of arms of the United States, and of every State in the Union. Surmounting the arches were Immense tropical plants, while on- the. corners of the facade were flags of all nations. The green and whito style of decoration prevailed on the balconies, but there are eight immense columns in the center of the hall, eaoh twenty-six feet in circumference and ninety feet in height, upon which the skill of the florist was exerted with a view to making these most imposing displays of the florist’s art The great feature of the ball was the reception held for a short time by the President and Vice President. The Presidential party left early, and after that the stream of departing people continued to inorease, while the dancing proceeded with some degree of pleasure. , The banquet was one of the greatest held on any occasion in the country. Therewas no dancing after midnight because of Sunday. The big ball, however, was not the end of the inauguration festivities. On Monday, in the East room, President Cleveland gave a general handshaking, which was attended by several thousand people. There was also the official announcement of the new Cabinet, which occurred in the Senate. These events kept in Washington many who would have otherwise hurried away. Gen. Harrison JLeaves Washington. Gen. Harrison, escorted by a committee of distinguished admirers, left Washington by special train for his home, in Indianapolis, where a monstrous reception befitting the return of Indiana’s honored son had been arranged. A band was present at the disembarking, and escorted the party tothe Harrison home, on North Delaware street. At night a popular meeting of a strictly non-partisan character was held at the State House, members of all parties joining in extending a hearty welcome home. M ayor Sullivan presided and Gov. Matthews delivered the welcome address.

ON THE WAY TO THE CAPITOL.

THE PRESIDENT AND THE VICE PRESIDENT.

MR. CLEVELAND TAKES THE OATH.

EAST FRONT OF THE CAPITOL NO INAUGURATION DAY.

FLORAL ARCH IN THE BALL-ROOM.