National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-01-02
NEW YEARS. DAY.
RECEPTION AT THE WHITE HOUSE.


site NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. by Members of
the Cabinet-HOw the Snow-Storm Affected
Callers.
Washington began the year 1877 with the
heaviest snow storm that has spread itself over
the District of Columbia for many years. This
seriously interfered with the festivities peculiar
TO the day. Bold callers started out with long
lists of their lady friends in their pockets, but
before the first dozen names were checked off the
lists half Of them gave up the task. Pedestrians
were showed under, and those who went 70 the
expense of procuring carriage found That II
at the END Of every call 1t was a dIscouraging
sight to see hack ploughing through the snow,
%sh the s DRYER ESI,sg sepess the
storm blowing right into the hack and the occu,
pants drumming their heels against the seat and
making solemn resolutions that the next call
1t was amusing to see them climb out of the
houses: driver gradually turning from a snow
man into snow bank, as he watched the door
wistfuIiy and swore at the horses; the callers
hold hurried consultation with the driver and
drive off to a neighoOrlng oar.room 70 propitlate
of the pitiless storm. There are few things more
ineOngruOus than swallow-tail coats and snow
storms. Still, notwithstanding all these discour-
aging circumstances, the business of calling and
receiving callers was quite brisk during the early
part Of the day. Callers grew scarce long before
evening.
The storm had no perceptible effect upon the
attendant upon the receptions of officials, mem
beTs of the Diplomatic Corps and others at the
Executive Mansion and the residences Of men,
bers Of the Cabinet
The White House Reception.
The programme for the New Years reception
at the Executive Mansion was faithfully carried
out. The reception was marked for its brilliancy
and the toietes worn by the ladies. At 10 o'clock
people began to gather about the gates and
pOrtico OF the White House to catch glimpse of
the illustrfous men and handsome ladies who
eNDectel
patience was rewarded.
In the mansion the entire suite of State depart
ments, with the exception of the dining hall,
were thrown open for the reception OF guests
The large handsome rooms had no unusual orna-
ments, except, perha ps, an unusual number OF
flowers in pots and vases which threw a natural
and delicate perfume about the rooms In
THE BLUE ROOM
nor ster bouquet of flowers placed on the divan
attracted immediate attention, and its beauty
was greatly admired.
THE PRESIDENT
and Mrs Grant received their guests in the Blue
room, and occupied their usual position in the
who assisted in the reception stood next to Mrs
Grant. Mrs. Sartoris was next to her mother,
and Mrs. Fred. Grant next. Mrs. and Miss Car
penter Miss DrexeI, and Mrs and Miss Paul,
all of Philadelphia, also assisted and stood near
Mrs. Grant.
THE CABINET.
The members Of the Presidents Cabinet ar
rived first and after removing their wrappinSs in
of the ante-roOms at the side OF the main hall
were ushered into the Blue Room, where they
were received with due dignity.
THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS
was immed lately announced, and were shown
into the recepticn-rOom. Secretary Fish entered
with Lady Thornton, Sir Edward Thornton with
Mrs Fish. Senior Garcia, Minister from the Ar
gentne Republic, who is second in seniority to
Sir Edward Thornton, came next; then Senior
The legations were ali fully represented by
minister's secretaries and attaches. The corps,
with the ladies accompanying them, formed
and nm sold on in lair
republican America. Gay uniforms court dresses,
and foreign faces gave royalty to the scene.
SUPREME COURT
Atll:3O the Supreme Court was received. This
body of solemn legal potentates was headed by
Chief Justice Waite, who looked young enough
TO be the son of any one of his associates. Jus
and completed the representation from the Su-
preme Bench Of the grand Republic. The ladies
of the families of the Justices accompanied them,
and were dressed elegantly and richly.
SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES.
The Supreme Court was followed by the Senate
and House of Representatives. Neither of these
bodies of legislators was largely represented.
Senators Senator McGreecTy, MtchelI, Boutwell,, Game
ron, Sherman, Morton, Allison, Spencer and few
and more dignifed branch Of the National Legis-
lature, and from the House, among others who
were present, were Speaker Randall Representa-
tives Burchard. Garfield, hendee, Conger: Fort,
Flye. Hale, Wills, Williams, Monroe. McDill,
St0weIl, kassOn, Rusk, Adams ana Cate.
THE COURT OF CLAIMS.
followed the legislators This par. Of the bench
was represented by Chief Justice Drake and
Judges Mott, LOring and Richardson. The Dis
trict Commission was represented by Gen.
Ketchum and Capt. Phelps Gen. Schenck was
the chief representative from the ranks of the
cx-Ministers to foreign countries and the bench
Of the District of Columbia was represented by
Chief Justice Cartier.
THE ARMY.
The hour named for the reception OF the army
promptly at noon the represent atives of the army
entered the Blue Room. Neat, bright uniforms,
handsome men, military whiskers and ostrich
feathers for time were the most noticeable
things in the reception-roOm, with the exception
of The ladies. General Sherman entered first
with his full staff. hdJutant General Townsend
followed. with Generals Mckee, Dunn, Vincent,
r .G Ioro hTn UNI wgaet rarke
and Of artillery officers of the force stationed
here with their dashing uniforms and scarlet
trimmings.
THE NAVY.
Following the army officers came the navy
Admiral Porter entered first, followed by Ad-
mira! Howell, Commodore Ammen Commanders
Alden and Patterson, Paymaster General Wat
mcugh, Surgeon General Beale, Col. McCauley
and MAJOR Slack, of the Marine Corps Naval
Constructor Hanscom and other officers.
OTHER OFFICIALS.
At 1870 o'clock the doors were thrown ono" - =
the Assistant Secretaries =" -, ...lu
Sstant Pcs - ,,epartments. As
.-o,ers General, Assistant Attorneys
.feneral and heads Of bureaus and divisions en-
tered. Among he gentlemen who entered unIer
Ills head we're Assistant Secretaries Cadwalla-
der Campbell and Hunter, of the State Depart
nent: Assistant Secretary Conant. Of the Treas
uTy: Assistant Postmaster General Barber; First
Comptrcller Tayler; Commissioner Raunl, OF the
Internal Revenue Department; the Conmissioner
Of Customs: John Jay Knox, Comptroller OF Cur
rcncv: Register Allison. First Auditor Mohun,
Second Auditor Lynch, Sixth Auditor McG;ew;
Prof Henry. of the Smithsonian Institute: Com
missioner Watts, of the Agricultural Depart
IGent, and Indian Commissioner Smith.
FATHER TINES CORPS.
Inst before I o'clock the venerable Associated
Survivors Of the War of lol2 and the Oldest In
lem came the Associated Veterans Of the Next
can War and delegation from the Grand Army
The doors were opened to the public at / o'clock,
mn; the attendance was not large, owing to the
inrlementv Oh the weather. About an hour was
consumed in this part OF !he Ienep.ion
guests had all left. During the !e0eP'4'H
THE GATHERING
that assembled in tie Blue room vas brilliant
and remarkable for elegant toilettes. Among
those who were present during the morning, be-
sides the officials and dignitaries already men
toned were the German Minister, the Brazilian
Minister. accompanied by several Brazilian gen.
tlemcn: Mr.. ,PIupkett. Mr.. Lascelles, Captain
Gore Jones and others of the British legation;
Senior DardOn, of Guatemala; Mr. DelLosse, oil
Belgiuna Mr. Preston, of Hayti;i the japanese
Minister, and the members of his legation; Arts
senior Dalla Costa Of Venezuela, Mr.. Mantilla,
tie Spanish Minister and members of his,legation;
Count and Countess HOyos, of Austria, DIR. Blum,
the Russian Minister, with Madame Chichkine.
Cheyalier Tavera, Count and Countess Lewen-
haunt of Sweden; the Minister from Denmark,
the Minister from Chilli, with his sister; Colonel
and Sonora Freyre, OF Peru; Marshal and M Nni
Grant, Mr.. Ulysses Grant Mr.. Luis Alphonso,
Mr. Sartoris, Mrs. and Miss Boutwell,, Judge
Mrs and Miss Howell and Senator Morrill,. of
Vermont. Several young ladies, friends of Mrs
Sartoris remained during the reception. The
members of the Cabinet and the ladies attending
them were present during the morning.
THE ToILETTEs.
Mrs Grant was attired in superb toilette Of
black Lyons velvet cut en- traine and trimmed will
let and lace. A diamond cross and ear-drops WERE
her only ornaments.
Mrs Sartoris wore an elegant claret -coloret
velvet with Empress train, tastefully trimmed
with lace. Diamond ornaments.
Mrs Fred. Grant displayed very elegant
toilette in ciel blue silk which was entirely covered
with rich white lace. She also exhibited severa
costly diamonds.
Miss Carpenter was exquisitely attired in pale
blue silk very deliberately and effectively gar
pished and worn beneath white figured net:
o-f0n INST N