Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-06-23
The White House Reception.
MRS. CLEvELAND's FIRST APPEARANCE
BRILLIANT SCENE.
Especial Dispatch to the Baltimore SUM-

Especial Dispatch to the Baltimore SUM-
WASHINGTON, June 15.-The reception
of President and Mrs. Cleveland at the
White House tonight was the most bril-
liant social event of this Administrations
The State apartments were tastefully and
appropriately decorated for the occasion,
and the Marine Band was present as usual
At nine O'Clock the presidential party de-
scended the private stairway in the follow
ing order: The President escorting his
wife, Secretary and Mrs. Endicott, Secre-
tary and Mrs. Whitney. Postmaster-G Gen.
eral and Mrs. Villas. They entered the
Blue Parlor, where the President formally
presented his wife to the members of the
diplomatic corps and Prince Augusta Leo
poldo, of Brazil. Mrs. Cleveland wore her
wedding dress, which has been so often de-
scribed. 1t was altered for the occasion,
and instead of being high in the neck, it
was w shaped, front and back, exposing
her beautiful neck and arms. She wore for
the first time the famous diamond necklace
wedding present from her husband, and
large corsage bouquet of white roses and
was pronounced the most beautiful woman
who has ever presided over the White
House. Mrs. Cleveland stood at her hus-
bands right hand and received her guests
with charming ease and grace, and imme-
diately scored grand social success. Mrs.
Endicott stood next in the receiving line
She was att1fed in a white satin gown,
trimmed at the neck and cuffs with rich
black lace and side draperies of the same
material. At her neck she wore magnifi-
cent diamond breach and black ostrich tips
for head dress. Mrs. Whitney wore rich
white satin en- train, cut low at the neck
and shoulders, trimmed with sprays of
white flowers. Around her neck was a
string of diamonds. Mrs. Villas was beauti-
fully attired in white nuns yelling and
lace, trimmed with natural flowers
After the diplomats had been presented,
the receiving party took their accustomed
places in the front part of the Blue Room,
and thereception continued. Commissioner
Webb, of the District. accompanied by his
family, was the first to pass in and congrat-
ulate the President and his BRIDE Then
followed a full representation of members
of the Senate and House. army and navy
officers, judges of the Supreme Court, and
other government officials, all mixed up to-
gether, without any attempt to care accord
ing to official rank. AS Western Senator
remarked, it was a thorough democratic
reception. Maryland was represented by
Minister McLane, Representative and Mrs.
Findlay, Representative McCsmas, Second
Assistant Postmaster General and Mrs.
Knott, and Judge Merrick. There were
more Congressman present tonight than
have attended any of President Cleveland S
receptions. Gen. Joe Johnston accompa-
MED Minister McLane. Both of the West
Virginia Senators-Messrs. Camden and
Kenna-were present. Senators Ingalls,,
uar l. Go1x
Gibson, of Louisiana, Henderson, Cockrell,
Speaker Carlisle, Representatives Morrison,
Randall, Reagan, Mills, Kelly, and Bland,
were among the throng, and Chief Clerk
Brown, of the State Department, said that
| every foreign minister, who is at present in
the United States, was in the White House
tonight.
There was but one opinion regarding
Mrs. Cleveland, and that was she will orna-
ment the White House as it never was or
namented before. The ladies of the diplo-
matte corps gazed at her long and earnestly,
and finally concluded that she was one of
the most beautiful women they ever beheld.
The American ladies looked at her with
pride, and declared that she surpassed any
foreign beauty ever introduced into official
society at Washington. Old and young men
alike were exceedingly extravagant in their
praises of her beauty. Postmaster General
Villas was completely charmed by the fail
hostess of the Executive Mansion. He re-
marked to party of newspaper men stand
ing just outside the Blue parlor: 81 have
been abroad, and on one occasion had the
pleasure OF seeing crowned Queen preside
at State occasion, but she did not equal
in beauty or grace the Presidents beautiful
young wife, Representative Beach, oi
New York, the great objector of the House,
came in with his wife, and after looking al
the house, came in with his wife, and after
looking at the President and then at Mrs.
| Cleveland quietly whispered in the Presi
| dents ear, MIR. President, I have no OBJ
lection" When Mr.. McComas came along
he mentioned the fact that he was from the
Deer Park region, whereupon the President
quickly replied: ''It is beautiful spot
but did not stay there long enough to gain
the privilege of voting for you" Fred
Douglas, his white wife and colored daugh
ter, were among the guests, but the crowd
was too much interested in discussing Mrs
Cleveland to notice particularly the pres
ence of the colored recorder of deeds.
A few minutes before eleven o'clock the
President invited his wife to take his arm
and he escorted her through the Red Par
lor and into the great East Room. Aftel
making circuit of the latter, followed b,
the other members of the receiving party
the President and wife proceeded up stairs
and Mrs. Cleveland's first public reception
was over. The crowd was not disposed t,
i hurry away, but fingered quite awhile. ex
changing comments on the President AM
his bride