Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-02
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
PRESIDENTS RECEPTION.
A Brilliant scene ~ the WHITE Hsase-The
Receptions or she Cabinet Onscers.

A BrsIIisss seese - the wasse Hsase-Ths
Receptions Of she Cabinet Ofscers
tBy telegraph 70 the Dispatcn.l
WASHINGTON, January For the
first time in several years New-Year's
day dawEed clear and beautiful. The
boar frost was soon dissipated By the
rising run, and long before noon the
temperature was like that Of . spring
day. The occasion was observed here,
as in former years, by general calling.
Business was suspended to conside-
rable extent, and all of the executive
departments were closed.
At the entrance to the White-House
grounds two policemen kept back .
crowd of Curious idlers who gszed with
interest at the handsome equipages Of
the Diplomatic Corps, high officials OF
the Government, and distinguished per-
sons. Mounted policemen kept clear
the carriage approach, and 3 long line
Of officers were formed on either side
of the doorway. The full Marine Band
occupied the main vestibule and dis
coursed strains of music during the
progress Of the ceremonies.
The decorations Of the Mansion were
exceedingly simple, being confined to
tasteful floral arrangements. Graceful
palms and rare tropical plants there
were in profusion bouquets Of great
size and harmonious colors stood on the
centre-tables, and delicate garlands Of
smilax contrasted with the crystal chan
deliers.
At IL 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 sta
ton in the blue parlor. Mrs. Bayard
leaned upon the arm Of the President
Secretary Bayard escorted Miss Cleve-
land, and the remaining members OF
the Cabinet followed with their Ia
dies, Secretary Lamar being the only
absentee.
They exchanged cordial greetings,
and the ceremonies opened with the re-
ception of the Diplomatic Corps. The
Portuguese Minister, Count Das Nog-
neiras, acted as dean of the corps in
the absence of the IIaytien Minister,
NJ. Preston. The representatives of the
foreign Powers were introduced to the
President by the Secretary of State.
The Chief Justice and Associate JUS
tees of the United States Supreme
Court came next in order, and were fol-
lowed by the judges Of the Court OF
Claims, United States Senator'S and
Representatives in Congress, judges of
the Supreme Court Of the District of
Columbia and the judicial officers of
the District, members Of the Cabinet,
and ex.Ministers.
A few minutes before noon the band
burst forth with a martial air, the
4" Black Hussar," and the officers of the
army and navy filed into the reception
rooms, headed by Lisutenant-General
Sheridan and his staff. AS the officers
passed through into the east parlor and
mingled their glittering uniforms with
the elegant toilets of the ladies
the assembled scene was one OF
notable brilliancy. Next in order of
reception came Professor Baird, Com
missioner Coleman, the ciyil-seryice
commissioners, the assistant secretaries,
heads of bureaus, and other Govern
ment officials. Next came the veterans
of the wars of 1912 and 1916, few in
number and bowed with age.
The Grand Army Of the Republic
made a fine display, and were received
with marked Difference. Many colored
men, some Of them crippled and
manned, were included in the ranks Of
this organization. While the Oldest
Inhabitants organization was passing
through the reception-room the citizens
were being formed into line on the side
walk. Their number ran up into the
thousands, and the line, beginning at
the gateway nearest Seventeenth street,
stretched well over towards Fifteenth
street. When the time arrived for the
general reception, shortly after o'clock,
the gates were opened and the line
passed through the White House. Not.
withstandiDg the immense crowd, the
best Of order prevailed and everything
passed off in the smoothest possible
manner. During the reception all the
parlors except the east room were
darkened, and when the diplomats, the
army and navy, and other officials en-
tered this beautiful room the effect
was most brilliant. The sun shone
brightly through the southern windows,
and the splendid landscape viewed from
them added no little to the charming
scene. In the afternoon Secretaries
Bayard, Manning, Whitney, and Endi-
colt, and Postmaster General Villas re-
ceived their friends in large numbers.
Secretary Lamar is at his Mississippi
home, and the day is q sad
anniversary in the family of Attorney
General Garland, and they did not re-
ceiye. Outside of the White House
the largest reception Of the day was
that Of Speaker and Mrs. Carlisle. A
large number Of ladies Of families Of
members of the House assisted Mrs.
Carlisle in receiving.
1t is estimated that over 5000 peo-
pie shook hands with the President to-
day during the public reception. The
President lowered the record Of hand
shaking considerably. In eight min
utes he shook the hands Of 274 per-
sons, or about thirty-four a minute.
The highest number previously shaken
by a President on New Years day was
by General Grant, when he grasped the
hands of twenty-eight persons a min
ute for thirteen minutes.