The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-02
The Ample Rooms of the Executive Mansion
Beautifully Decorated and Crowded
with Distinguished People.
The Democrats Beginning to Think the
Tariff May Be Loaded.
Probable Effect of the Publication of the
Huntington DECENTRALIZATION of
Serious Land Frauds.
THE PRESIDENTS RECEPTION.
The Observance of New Years at the White
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and Toilets.
cnacia1 IN tha ndionanolis Jourral

1ne observance OF new Years at bhe WhIte
HOuse--DecOratiOns and Toilets.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-The weather to-day
was wet and disagreeable, interfering seriously
with the comfort of those engaged in making
calls. The morning was cloudy and damp, but
the rain did not begin to fall until after the ter
ninaton of the'~ iemonies at the White House.
The attendance of foreign ministers and army
and navy officers unusually large, these
! three classes in their snowy uniforms consttut
ing scene of brilliancy in the east room, which
has not been surpassed in many years. The at
tendance of the people of the city and district
was good, and nothing occurred to mar
the pleasure of the participants. The decora
tons of the executive mansion simple but
tasteful. Ferns, palms and cut flowers from The
White House conservatory were placed in the
| three parlors. The great east room and main
corridor and mirrors and large glass chandeliers,
which We're lighted were hung with graceful
festoons of smilaX. There were few potted
plants, such as begonias and primroses, bloom
ing in the east room. huge bouquet
of selected cut flowers, placed in the red
paror, and another still larger orna-
mented the central divan in the blue
room. Promptly at II o'clock the Marine
played Hail to the chief" and the first notes
sounded, President Arthur, accompanied by Mrs.
Carlisle and preceded by Colonel Rockwell and
Marshal McMichael, entered the corridor They
were followed by members of the cabinet,
| their wives. and a number of ladies' without
| escort who were to assist in the recep-
ton The party passed into the red
parlor and thence into the blue
room. President Arthur stood midway between
| the east and west doors On his right and be-
hind him were the ladies assisting, and on his
left, during the reception of the diplomatic
CORPS stood the Secretary of State Both the
Presidents and daughter were in the room.
1t was generally remarked that the costumes
of the ladies We're richer than had been seen at
White House reception for MANY year.
Mrs. Carlisle wore a trained robe of rich Law
ender satin, Powered in white, and tabliere of
white satin, embroidered in seed pearls and raised
chenille flowers open waist and half long sleeves,
gaInshed with point lace Her earrings and
brooch were diamonds. She stood Immediately
on the Presidents right and received and intro
duced each guest in turn to the next ladies, who
stood in line beside her.
Mrs Frelinshuysen wore black velvet, with
fchu of point lace and couture composed of
point lace and maroon feather
Mrs Lincoln-Black and white brocaded vel
vet, with tabliere of white satin and hounces
of black Brussels lace.
Mrs. Chandler-White ottoman satin. with
point lace and black-velvet bows.
Mrs. Brewster-Superb brocade, with rare
lace and brilliant diamonds. .....
MIS- observation-disclosures velvet, with white satin
front. 8 'iN
Mrs, Teler--G Garnet velvet, point lace and
diamonds,
Mrs. Miller, of California Claretcolored vel
vet, the front yelled with point lace, and lace
cape and ruf1es Handsome diamonds.
Mrs. Logan-Black velvet, brocaded pettcoat
white lace and diamonds
Mrs. Cullom-Rich ruby velvet. trimmed with
duchesse lace. a
Mrs. Hawley-Fawn-c olored brocade
Miss Lucy Frelinghuysen-Wh satin de
Lyon.
The members of the diplomatic corps were
dressed in the court dresses of their respective
countries They were first received and intro
duced by Secretary Frelinghuysen. For the first
time in many years they were headed by an off
cial representative of a republcson this side
of the Atlantic, Mr.; Preston, minister from
Hayti. He succeeded, as dean of the corps, Mr.
Allen who died in the White House during the
last New-year reception. The dresses of the
gentlemen of the corps were velvet, with gold
embroidery, while the ladies, almost without ex-
cepton, wore short gowns, dark velvet bonnets
and plumes to match.
The Marine band played the national
airs of the principal European coun-
tries as the foreign ministers passed
through the blue room into the east
room, where they remained, greeting and talk
ing with other guests, until II o'clock. At that
hour they took leave and went to breakfast at
the residence of the Secretary of State
The Justices of the United States Supreme
Court and wives were next received, after which
Colonel Rockwell and Marshal McMichael took
places beside the President and introduced
large number of senators and representatives
AT u o'clock the doors leading to the main cor
rdor were thrown open and long ling of army
and navy officers filed in to pay their respects to
their President General Sheridan, accompanied
by Judge Holt and General Mckee Dunn, for
merly Judge Advocate general of the army, and
officers of his staff Adjutant general Drum fol-
lowed, accompanied by Assistant Adiutant-
general McKeever, General Ruggles, Colo
mel Benjamin, and Colonel Barber Then came
nearly all the army officers stationed
at Washington, both line and staff. The 1nedi-
cal corps was represented by Surgeon general
Murray, DR., Baxter Dr. Basil, Norris and
others Paymaster-g general Rochester was fol-
lowed by number of officers of the pay corps
The engineer officers were headed by General H.
Wright, and a number of other officials Follow
ing the army officers, came representatives of
the navy, Admiral Porter at the head accom-
panied by Commodore Earl English, Chief En-
gineers Henry, Lee, Snyder and John c. Kafer
and followed by almost every naval officer
at present in Washington. The army officers
were introduced to the President by Colonel
Rockwell. Lieutenant Mason presented the
naval officers to Colonel Rockwell who, in turn
introduced them to the President.
In the east room the army and navy uniforms
showed to great advantage, and the scene was
very brilliant one, as number of diplomatic
representatives still in the room as were
many handsomely dressed ladies. The assistant
secretaries of the departments and the chiefs of
the bureaus were next received and were followed
by the veterans of the Mexican war and war of
1872, representatives of the Grand Army of the
Republic the Oldest inhabitants, and citizens
generally.
Throughout the entire reception President
Arthur retained his position without moments
rest. He greeted those with whom he was best
acquainted with a pleasant smile and few words
of recognition. Strangers he merely wished a
happy New Year. AT the close of the reception
he retired to his private apartments.
A state breakfast was given by Secretary