Daily Republican., 1886-01-02
Ths Prssaaent's sew xe.s me-
eepsfen.


For the hrst time IN several years
| BEAUTIFUL. 7he hoar froel was soon dis-
sipatsd By the rising sun, and long be-
I fore noon the tsmpeFasnre was like that
Of = spring day. The occasion was OBJ
served here 80 In former years by
general calling, business was suspend.
led 20 q considerable extent, and all the
Executive Departments were closed.
AZ the entrance TO the White House
grounds two policemen kept back .
crowd Of curious idiers who Razed
with interest at the handsome equip.
ages Of the diplomasic corps, nigh
| officials OF the Government and dis
| { iuguished persons.
The decorations Of the mansion were
exceedingly simple, ng.confined to
tasteful horAl arrangements. Graceful
palms and rare tropical plants there
were In profusion. Bouquets Of great
size and of harmonious color stood on
the centre tables, and delicate garlands
/ of smilax contrasted with the crystal
chandeliers.
At II o'clock, to the accompaniment
OF" Hail to the Chief" By the Marine
Bend, the Presidential party entered the
Ireception rooms and took up their
station In the Blue Parlor.
Mrs. Bayard leaned upon the arm Of
the President, Secretary Bayard escort.
cd Miss ClevelaDd, and the remaining
members of the Cabinet followed with
their ladies', Secretary Lamar being the
only absentee. They exchanged cordial
Igreetings, aud tbs ceremonies opened
with ths reception OF the Diplomatic
Corps.
1 A few minutes before noon the band
burst forth with martial air from the
" Black Hussar," and the officers Of the
larmy and navy filed into the reception
Irooms, headed by Lieutenaat General
Sheridan aud his staff. Ae the officers
passed through into the East Parior
and mingled their glittering uniforms
with the elegant toilets Of the ladies
there Assem- bled the scene was one OF
notable brilliancy.
Next In order OF reception oame
Professor Baird, Commissioner O0lman
the Civil Service Commissionets, the
Assistant Secretaries, heads OF Bureaus,
and other Governments ofiicials. Next
Icame the Veterans OF the Wars Of 1912
and 1916, few In number and bowed
with age. The Grand Army OF the
Republic made fine display, and were
received with marked difference. Many
coiored men. some Of them crippled
land manned, were included In the
ranks OF this organization. While the
Ioldest Inhabitants' organization was
passing through the reception. room
the citizens were being formed into
line on tho sidewalk. Their number
ran up into tie thousands, and the lint
beginning at the gateway nearest
ISeventeenth street stretched well ,oyel
! towards Fifteenth street. Shortly aftel
l o'clock the public reception began
J The crowd Of waiting citizens wa
: immense. Il extended from the easterl
gate In q solid mass FAR down th'
avenue, occupying the middle Of th
street.
Il Ia estimated that 5000 people shool
; hands with the President 70 day durin
the public reception. The Presiden
lowered the record OF hand-shakin
considerably. In eight minutes
9 shook the bands Of 274 persons.or abou
"a q minute. The highest number pre-
!. viously shaken by President on Ne'
, Years cay was By General Grant, whe
! be grasped the hands of % persons
!. minute for thirteen minutes.