The Portland daily press., 1886-01-02
NEW YEARS DAY.
A Brilliant Scene at the White House
in Washington.

in several years New Years day dawned
clear and beautiful and long before noon
the temperature was like that of a spring
day. The occasion was observed here as in
former years by general calling. Business
was suspended to a considerable extent and
all the executive departments were closed.
At the entrance to the White House guards
kept back the crowd of curious illers who
gazed with interest at the handsome equip
ages OF the diplomatic corps, high officials of
the government and distinguished persons,
While mounted police kept clear the carriage
approach and a long line of officers was
formed on either side of the doorway The
full Marine Band occupied the main yesti
bule and discoursed strains of music during
the progress of the ceremonies. The decora,
tl0nS OF the mansion were exceedingly sim
pie. being confined to tasteful floral arrange
ments. Graceful palms and rare tropical
plants there were in profusion. Bouquets of
great size and of harmonious colors stood on
the centre tables and delicate garlands of
smilax contrasted with the crystal chande-
HERS.
At II o'clock to the accompaniment of
Hail to the Chief by the Marine Band the
Presidential party entered the reception
rooms and took up their station in the blue
parlor Mrs. Bayard leaned upon the arm
Of the President, Secretary Bayard escorted
Miss Cleveland and the remaining members
Secretary Lamar being the only absentee
Col Wilson preceded them and Lieut.. Duvall
with Miss Bayard brought up the rear
The ladies stood in this order ON the Presi-
dents right: Miss Cleveland, Mrs. Bayard
Mrs Manning, Mrs. Whitney and Miss vi
las. Owing to a severe cold. Mrs. Endicott
was not present.
The members of the foreign legation
who took advantage Of this opportunity to
pay their respects to the Executive had all
n11v nd fINn Il s.1
scarcely taken their places before the Portu-
guese minister who is dean during the alb
sence of the Haytien minister was presented
and his brother diplomats followed in line
Their handsome uniforms gave added bril-
iancy to the scence. The British govern
ment was represented by its minister Hon.
). West, Miss West, Miss Flora West, Mr.
and Mrs. Helegar, Hon. Charles Hardings
and Mrs Lehman, the gentlemen named be-
ing all members Of the British legation
here.
During the diplomatic reception the Sec
retary OF State stood at the left of the Pres
ident to introduce to him the members of the
foreign legation, and Col. Wilson, commits
sloner OF public buildings and grounds,
stood between the President and Miss Cleve-
land and introduced the diplomats and their
families to her The following countries
were represented: Portugal, Italy, Great
Britain, Belgium, China, Austria, Mexico,
Russla, France Switzerland, Turkey, Spain,
i
Ecuador, Germany, United States of Co
lombia, Japan, Norway and Sweden, Ar
gentine Republic, Brazil, Denmark, and
Venezuela.
All the members Of the diplomatic corps,
except those who represent the republics of
this continent, were in their court uniforms.
When all these had been presented Col.
Wilson took Secretary Bayard's place and
introduced all other official classes as the |
members of each arrived to the President. |
while IInnf DnNa1l ynaAa fba io+
to Miss Cleveland
The reception of the members of the Su-
preme Court and Court of Claims followed. |
Of the former there were present Chief JUS |
Bradley, Gray, Woods, Miller, Field and |
Strong, accompanied by the members of |
their families. Accompanying the Justices |
were Judge Bancroft Davis and Mr.. and |
Mrs. }. ID. McKenny. The Court of Claims |
was represented by Chief Justice Richard
son and justices Knott and Davis The Su-
preme Court OF the District was represented
by Judges Macarthur, Hagner, Cox, Merrick |
and James. Commissioner Webb and Major
Lydecker represented the commissioners.
As the visitors passed through the receiv-
ing parlor, they congregated in the east
room and mingled in animated conversation.
The senators and representatives began to |
arrive very early. Among the senators were
sherman, Logan, Cockrell, Hawley, Miller,
Dolph, Cameron Coke, Cullom, Manderson'
Sabin, Brown and George Among the rep
were Speaker Carlisle. Messrs.
Randall, Ketcham Farquhar, Seymour, Viii
rs, Cutehem, Barksdale, Van Eaton, Thomp-
son, Morrison, Lefevre. Scott Payson. Fufl-
eT, Conger, Breckenridge Reagan, Town
5hend, Springer, Singleton, Boutelle and
Haynes. Most OF the congressman hal
their wives or other latiio5- WIN tneln.
Mr. KaSsOn represented the eX-mInlSters. |
Senator Sharon was the only ex-Cabinet Of
wr1ruru trrr11 way from the War
Department. Gen. Sheridan. of course headed
5he line, accompanied by his personal staff.
There was no intermissi0n between the
army and hayy reception and the line Of
naval officers followed in the footsteps of
The army officers. 1t was headed by Admiral
Porter, and by his side walked Admiral
Worden. Both the army and navy officers
were in full dress uniform and they pre-
sented a very handsome appearance in the
east room, where they gathered for few
after their reception in the blue
parlor. The new officials from the various
departments were nearly all present Civil |
Service Commissioners Edgerton, Trenholme
and Eaton and Commissioner of Education
Eaton and Prof. Baird, followed by Prof.
Powell and all the heads of scientific depart
ments led in this procession. Then followed |
all the heads of bureaus in the departments |
who are Presidential appointees. Assistant |
Fairehild led the Treasury officials |
The Mexican Veterans Association was
we'll represented, numbering about GO mem |
bers. They filed in and paid their respects |
to the President Following this came the |
Oldest inhabitants, numbering about 30; their |
appearance was venerable and very impress
sive. The &. A. Il. delegation followed, the |
pleasant weather serving TO bring out the |
largest New Year representation for many |
years The members were In line according |
to their post and numbered about 1000 IN all
Notwithstanding the Immense crowd the |
best of order prevailed and everything |
passed off in the smoothest possible manner.
1t is estimated that over 6000 people shook |
hands with the President, lowering the rec
ord of hand shaking considerably. In eight |
minutes he shook the hands of 274 people.
The highest number previously shaken by
the President on New Years was by Gen.
Grant, when he grasped the hands of 26 per
sons minute for 30 minutes.
Other Receptions.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-Secretary and Mrs.
Bayard entertained the diplomatic corps at
breakfast of which a large portion of the
legations in the city partook. Mrs, Bayard
assisted by her daughters and Miss An
drews of Baltimore received from to 5 in
the afternoon.
Mrs. Manning was assisted in receiving by
Mrs. Fairchild, Miss Mary Manning and the
Misses Ruby and Susie L. Tilden, favorite
neices of Gov. Tilden.
Mrs. and Miss Endicott received a large
number of calls at their home.
Mrs. Whitney received at her new home.
She was assisted by Mrs. Gen. Hazen, Miss
Porter and others.
Mrs Villas and Miss Villas were assisted by
Mrs. Stevenson and Mrs. Col. Lamont.
Is The Christmas holiday is a sad anniversa-
ry to the family Of the attorney general and
they were not receiving today.
Outside of the White House the largest
reception of the day was that of Speaker and
Mrs. Carlisle A large number of the ladies
of the families Of members of the House of
Representatives assisted Miss Carlisle in re-
eeiving.
RIoTINC IN MONTREAL.