The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-01-07
Washington Letter,
From our Regular Correspondent.

WASHINGTON, Jan. l, 1885.
The event here to-day was the re-
ception at the White House. The
first to arrive at Presidential New
Years reception are the correspon.
dents Of newspapers and the Marine
band. These are all stationed in the
large ante-room or main vestibule.
the band to furnish the music for the
great procession, and the representa-
tives of the press to tell who were
there. what they wore, and how they
looked and bowed and smirked and
smiled. 4 few fortunate pen drivers
were admitted to the holy ~holies
tthe Blue RoomlNkere they could
loake accurate notes of the dresses of
Miss Cleveland and the Cabinet ladies
who assisted the President in receiv-
ing. Your own correspondent was
among these favored ones.
It has been said that Mr.. Cleveland
never appears to better advantage
than when receiving callers. lie
stood, as is customary on these occa-
sions, in the Blue Room near the door
of the Red parlor through which
guests enter. He is of heroic size,
and, buttoned up in we'll fitting
Prince Albert coat, he looked phys
ically equal to the ordeal OF four
hours Of handshaking that was about
to begin. And so he proved to be,
for at two o'clock p. NJ, when the
doors of the Mansion were closed,
and after he had shaken by the hand
about Eve thousand people, and given
each one a smile and cordial Il am
glad to see you,'' it was remarked
that, through it all, he had not per-
United himself to sigh or look tired
even if he felt SO. One sympathetic
caller among the last took time to
remark to him in passing that he
must be very weary. "Oh, no, he
replied pleasantly, ''this is one of the
easiest things have to do
The ngxt to arrive at this receipt
ion were the Cabinet officers, who, !
may say. led off the reception, being
the FIRST callers on the programme.
Each one Of them looked cheerful
and well and in good condition every.
way. The Secretary of State first
wished the President a happy New
Year, and then paid the compliments
OF the season to the ladies all along
the line, followed by the other men,
lers of the Cabinet. They passes on
TO the East Room, as the Diplomatic
Corps was coming up in their rich,
gaudy attire. Some of these Dip!o-'
mats came to the White House in
coroneted carriages, and adorned
with swords and sashes and gold lace,
their padded chests covered Win
stars and crosses and other Insignia
of rank or Office, Among those more
notable for elaborate decorations
were the English, French. SPANISH
Russian, japanese and Chinese mill
listers. As fast as the President dis.
posed Of the gilded foreigners, they
marched into the East Room where
they had more extensive scope for
the display of their brilliancy. Then
the Supreme Court Of the United
States was on hand, that august
body, which has recently bean SO
basely libeled in regard to keeping
fog its own use q bar-room in some
mysterious recess Of the Capitol.
Congress next greeted the Presi-
dent. and then Judges Of the various
courts Of the District of Columbia.
the Commissioner of the District, the
Judicial officers Of the District, ex-
members Of the Cabinet and ex-min-
listers of the United States. The
Army and Navy officers in their I'M
posing uniforms came next and then
followed Department officials ana
civil organizations and associations
foo tedious 10 enumerate. Finally
the people came. and fsr an no"r 2
stream Of promiscuous humanity
swept through the parlors. They
were old and young, black and white
richly dressed and poorly clad. clti.
zens and strangers, with here ana
there al Indian from the Tar West.