Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-01-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 1873!


White House, just as old years have
been for half a century or more
Mr.. Cleveland's Diplomatic, Judicial,
Congressional, Military, Naval, and
Civilian callers Of last Friday num-
bered about 5000 people. Much
larger crowds have attended pre-
vious New Years receptions but
this was considered large enough by
the host and his assistants before it
was all over.
After the official world had passed
through the parlors with their gilt
and splendor of attire, the public re-
ception began. The waiting crowd
extended in line of two from the
eastern gate far down the street in
a solid mass. When they had
streamed by the President for an
hour the appointed time for the re-
ception to close had arrived. Still
they came and the President tried
to be cheerful for half an hour
longer. The Cabinet ladies and
Miss Cleveland, who had been re
.ceiving with him, had deserted him
about the time the officials had been
disposed of. The ladies has gone to
their respective homes to look after
their own New Year callers, and the
President was left to meet the pro.
miscuous throng alone and single
handed. He grew very tired and
hungry and finally asked how much
OF crowd was yet to come. Word
was brought him that there was
long line, probably thousand per
sons. He said, swell, let them
come, can stand 1t little longer"
They did come for half an hour, and
then the Mansion was closed and
the President went to lunch.
At one time during the reception
Mr.. Cleveland shook hands for an
hour and forty minutes at the rate
of forty a minute by actual count
At first the average did not run
thirty minute, but lively airs by
the Marine band, which furnished
music as usual from the main ante
room, had the effect of quickening
the movements of the crowd. While
one very lively air was being played
the hand shakes ran up to fifty six,
but only for lew minutes.
The majority of the feminine call
ers were more intent upon gazing
at the toilets Of the new social
leaders than anything else, and
amusing remarks were made about
their manner and demeanor. Many
thought the ladies were stiff, ungra-
cious, and lacking IN ease, and
others compared them disadvanta-
geously with some of their accom-
plished predecessors. 1t would be
frivolous and tedious to describe
Miss Cleveland's reception dress, or
those of Mrs. Manning, Mrs. Whit
ney, Mrs. Bayard, and Mrs. Villas,
but as the Presidents attire was
not elaborate [ will mention that
he wore black frock suit, bare
hands, and no flower in his button
hole.
The Army and Navy officers
marched into the White House from
the War Department close by, Gen.
Sheridan preceding the brilliantly
uniformed line and lingering near
the President until all were intro
duced. This division of the New
Year procession gave more bright
ness and color to the scene than
the representatives, all together, of
England, France, Spain, Germany,
Russia, Italy, Sweden, Norway,
Denmark, Brazil, China, Japan, Tur-
key. Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador,
the Netherlands, and other coun-
tries in their court costumes. But
these officers do not wear their
uniforms often enough to appear
comfortable in them. Most of them
seemed i'll at ease. Each officer
was presented to Miss Cleveland,
but few of them seemed to have the
courage to continue down the line of
ladies. The timid soldiers made a
general bow to the whole row and
were soon in the East Room. There
they chatted for a few minutes
among the thoroughly mingled
gathering of Senators and Congress
men, Supreme Court Justices,
Foreign Ambassadors and other
high officials. Then they started
out ON their round of calls.
The venerable custom of New
Year calling will not become obso-
lete in Washington so long as the
White House is thrown open official
II on that day. This is the only
city in the country where the ladies
can hold an annual review of states
men, warriors and diplomats in
their official splendor. As these
gentlemen are required to don their
gorgeous yestments for duty at the