The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-01-07

SPORT, FAT AND SMILING,
led the shining procession. His stubby hair
is fast growing gray, and he is much more
fleshy than when he rode
From Winchester, twenty miles away"
All the departments of the Army and Navy
were represented by their chiefs. There were
many retired officers: and Generals and Colo
nels and Admirals swarmed like bees through
the apartments. Gen. Hazen had an extra twist
TO bis big mustache, because he had SO correctly
predicted the weather, and everybody congrat-
ulated him on the bright sunshine and balmy
air The officers all carried their cooked hats
under the left arm, leaving the right hand free
for the duties of the hour
After a large and well-selected assortment Of
subordinate Department officials had passed, the
President received some 40 gray-beards, who
represented the Oldest Inhabitants Association
of the District. Many of them were born here,
when Washington was but struggling village.
The members of the
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
made fine appearance They numbered over
a thousand. all wearing the neat uniform OF the
Order Gen. Buriett, -Chlef,
and six of his staff were in the van of the superb
column. There were many empty sleeves and
canes and crutches which told IN mute eIo-
ouenoe how those men had dared and suffered.
There were two colored Posts, all the members
of which were greeted by the President with
the same smile and shake as their pale-taced
comrades.
At / o'clock the decks were cleared for the
I" dear people" For two or three hours thou
sands had been standing without-men women
and children. The patience and fortitnde with
which they stood So long well atlested their
desire to enter the precints of the Executive
Mansion large squad OF policemen had all
they could do TO keep them in order. They
were formed in line, all fresh arrivals being re-
quired TO fall in at the rear and wait their
,-1l,a, l,.Nl lsrNa
extended from the White House down the long
circular walk to the west gate of the grounds,
and thence along Pennsylvania avenue to the
Treasury building. and was fully quarter OF
mile in length. There was great rejoicing i'll
the weary throng when the word was given
and the line began to inch along toward the
goal
Hitherto it has generally been the custom for
the Marshal TO introduce each person by name
TO the President Col. McMichael, who was Mar
shal for President Arthur, used to do this with
a yolubility that almost took away the breath.
The average citizen is elevated many degrees
IN his own estimation
BY HEARING HIS NAME
officially fired into the Presidential ear. OF
course the President is glad to see him, even
though he may not say so in words; if he were
not. why would he shake hands with him and
smile upon him so benignantly? The citizen
goes away feeling that the President will
ALWAYS remember him. On this occasion it was
determined not to attempt personal introduc-
tons, in view of the very large number in wait
ing. as the people could otherwise pass much
more rapidly.
At the entrance to the receiving room stood
two officers, who arranged the people in single
file to avoid confusion, checking the ardor OF
those who showed disposition TO rush matters.
Past the President they went, white and black
old and young, rich and poor, at the rate OF 40
per minute. Each received a touch of the
hand and smile from the President, and
skipped along to give the rest chance. The
Marshal and his assistants kept them moving
at rapid gait. Few paid any attention TO the
Indies at the right of the President, for 1t soon
became a regular scamper, so great was the
rush. Now and then somebody who seemed
impressed with the idea that the affair was
gotten up for his or her especial benefit would
show disposition TO engage Mr.. Cleveland in
conversation on the weather and kindred top
les, but such attempts were all rendered abor-
tive by the Move on, please" of the yigilant
Marshal.
FEW INCIDENTS.
"a happy New Year, Mr.. President" exclaims
a silver haired old gentleman, with such hear
tiness that the President pauses for an instant,
gives him an extra shake, a little more breadth
of smile, and pleasant Thank you sir"
A man offers his left hand 4 glance of the
Presidents eye shows that the other sleeve is
empty. Time is too short to inquire whether
he lost his arm in battle or in thrashing ma
chine, but the chances are in favor Of the for
mer, and the President gives him kindly
greeting.
my names Mrs. Jane Williams" says
nervous old lady, with a bonnet in the style of
generation ago, and live DOWN"
'' Pass right along, please" says the Marshal,
"There's thousands Of people waiting TO get
in
And the President will finally be gathered to
his fathers without ever knowing, III all hu-
man probability, where Mrs. Williams lives.
Here comes a brusque, important individual,
with an air of proprietorship g hope, Mr..
President -"
Don't stop; times getting short!" exclaims
the Marshal.
That hone, whatever it was, VIII remain for
ever in his breast.
!" Here, Susan and Marer, is the President,
right here; look at HIM" says fussy woman,
who is leading two little girls. They look, pass
on, and are happy.
So it goes during the whole time given to
the public Toward the last it becomes almost
a stampede, as those without, realizing that
they going TO get left" crowd fast upon
the heels of those in advance.
TWO O'CLOCK COMES,
the hour for closing the doors There is still
long line Of impatient citizens without, and the
President says he will hang on while longer
TO crafty them. He excuses the Cabinet ladies,
who have preparations to make for their own
receptions at their homes. The people go
scampering by, satisfied to get look and nod
from the President.
1t is 230, and Mr.. Cleveland begins to feel as
though he had been chopping wood all day.
Fl" How many are there outsider" he inquiries
of the Marshal. An attendant flies to the win
dow, and returning, says: There's hundreds
of EN- yet, Mr. President"
"Well, said he let them come; can stand
it a little longer!"
The stream flows on till 3 o'clock, and then
the order is given to close the doors. Even
then hundreds find themselves in the same
predicament as the five foolish virgins who had
neglected to fill their lamps, and when they
returned from their trip after oil found the
door shut.
1t is said to have been the greatest job of
bandshaking ever done at the White House.
No less than 5000 persons passed the door dur
ing the last two hours. If it were possible to
hold grand levee and receive" all the people
of the United States, and the great procession
were to move at the same rate, day and night,
without a moments cessation, it would take
two years for them all TO pass. If we suppose
them TO be in single file and allow two feet TO
each person-of course, each person is supposed
TO have two feet, but reference is had TO linear
feet-the line would be about 700 miles long.
If you give your friend good square shake,
your hand will cover about 16 square inches of
his lurinD the Wh0la fouT lourS Mr. (ieye-