The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-01
THE PRESIDENTS WEDDING.
Press Representatives Will Not Be Per-
mitted to Witness the Ceremony.
Foreign Legations Sorely Puzzled Over a Pri-
vate Wedding in Public Place, and Anx-
ious to Learn the Proper Thing to Do.
NO ADMISSION.
Press Representatives Not Wanted-Distress
Among Foreign Representatives.


Press Representatives Not Wanted-Distress
Among Foreign Representatives.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON May 81 Closed were the let
ters, broad and long, that occupied a card which
hung against the White House door this morn
ing. Thousands of people went there however,
before it became generally known that the
place was not open to the public. Many, eager
to gain admission, ratified the door and called
out the names of the attendants who usually re-
ceive the callers and then went away. At an
early hour Colonel Wilson, superintendent of
the public buildings and grounds. entered the
executive mansion, and, after consulting Colonel
Lamont about the floral decorations and other
matters pertaining to the arrangement of the in
terror of the house, went away, and ali was
quiet within. while bands and marching soldiers
on the avenue in front of the grounds made
perfect din at times
Colonel Lamont said, late this afternoon, that
be had had al! requests which genius could con-
ceive from representatives of the press for an
opportunity to see something of the party to be
assembled on Wednesday evening. First,
lady correspondent requested, after being told
she could not be admitted under any conditions,
that she might peep in the corridor as the party
descended the main stairway This being re-
refused, she begged to be allowed to enter the
East Parlor and look around just moment and
take glimpse through the Blue Room while the
party were at supper in the state dining groom,
but this was also denied Then she asked to be
furnished with description of the dresses Of
Misses Folsom, Cleveland, Nelson and other
White House ladies. This will likely be granted
on Wednesday morning, and it may be that
limited number of representatives of the press
will be admitted to the house for few minutes,
late on Wednesday evening" to get description
of the floral decorations.
1t is understood that after the festivities the
marriage will be described by some one at the
White House, and by that means the country will
know what it was like. A blunt refusal has been
given to all requests for admission to the execu-
tive mansion on the night of the marriage for
the purpose of reportorial work. An extra
squad of police will be assigned to the White
House Wednesday afternoon, and after the
hour for the ceremony none will be admitted to
the grounds, and at the time Of the ceremony it
will be seen that there are no interlopers inside
do duty on the streets adjacent
to the White House grounds, and perfect order
will be maintained. 1t is expected that the usual
| thousands of reope-men, women and children
will hang around in the streets during the af-
ternoon, evening and night. in eager expectation
of seeing something or somebody unusual. This
crowd will be amply provided for
1t is amusing to hear the diplomates from all
parts of the world now in Washington talk of
the approaching marriage. There great
many things connected with the event which
they cannot understand A lot of them got to-
gether and discussed the question. They feel
that they should do something to celebrate the
event. but since none of them have invitations to
they offend his Excellency The dip
donates cannot understand why the en-
gagement was kept such profound
secret, nor why the announcement came so near
to the date of the wedding day. Then, the bride
coming to the groom to get married puzzled
them beyond measure. They understand that
in America the groom usually goes after the
bride, and they are at loss to understand the
Presidents movements. Indeed the diplomates
are worried. They afraid of committing
some awful improperly, and yet they don't
know what to do to do the proper thing. One
thing which perplexes them most is, whether they
shall congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland, and
how. They fail to see why the President is not
publicly married, aud why they are not asked to
assist A private wedding at some other
place they say they could understand.
If the President had arranged for his marriage
at Buffalo they would have comprehended it;
but to have his bride brought to him, after the
fashion of the effete monarchs of the old world,
is beyond their powers of Interpretation. They
say it is not American, and it is ludicrous to
hear their comments upon it. The diplomates
are also puzzled as to whether they should pre-
sent gifts to the President and his bride, and so
far they have been unable to ascertain If it will
be proper, or whether gifts, if sent, will be re-
ceived It is customary to make royal gifts
in nearly every country in the world
when a crowned head takes to himself
wife, but many unusual things
have already attached to this event that they
cannot reach conclusion. So they remain in
mental misery, trusting that they will be ex-
cused on the ground of ignorance. The minis
tiers would like to send Mrs. Cleveland some
tokens of respect, but they cannot get an answer
as to the propriety of it. Some of the diplomates
have determined to send gifts to the bride as
mementoss of personal regard, and not as official
action
Movements OF Miss Folsom