The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-01-04
TIE SEASON OPENED
New Years Reception ct the White House
Begins the Winters Gsystiss.
The Executive Mansion beautifully Pre-
pared for the Occasion-Mrs. Cleve-
land and Her Assistants.

monies OF new lear Gay, winch Will be
more attractive than usual, because of the
presence of Mrs. Cleveland, whom every
one is al ways anxious to see. The shadow
of Mr.. Manning's death is still too heavy
to permit gay reception, and those who
expect TO see the scenes of last year re-
peated, will be disappointed, for Mr.. Man.
ming and his wife were both among the
most active and conspicuous of the Presi-
dents assistants, and there were no more
popular people there. The President and
his vile are to be assisted only by Miss
Bayard, Mrs. Fairchild and Mrs. Whitney.
Mrs. Lamar is In Georgia, where It is said
she has gone to avoid the social obligations
that rest upon the ladies of the Cabinet,
but for which she has no taste, land it
is said that she will remain away the
entire winter. Mrs. Villas is too i'll
to participate in the ceremony as usual,
and Mrs. Endicott does not like crowd.
Mics Bayard appears for the first time as
lady OF the Cabinet, and If she takes her
proper place, will stand beside Mrs. Cleve-
land at the reception, preceding the other
ladies of the Cabinet, because her father
outranks otLor husbands In official life. II
is her first appearance in official society.
although she has been st small gatherings
before the season opened.
The story has been published to the effect
that Mr.. Bayard demanded of the President
at the White House reception which her
mother would take IL she were living. This
is pure nonsense, for while the President
was a bachelor, he recognized the social
rank of the daughter of the Secretary of
| State by offering his arm to Miss Catherine
Bayard while all the other ladies of the
Cabinet were present. Secretary Bayard
will give a breakfast to the diplomatic
CORPS at II o'clock, as has been the custom
| for many years, and at 2 will receive the
public at his residence. Secretary and Mrs.
Fairchild and Secretary and Mrs. Whitney
will also receive. Mr.. Villas will receive
the employees of the Postoffice Department
at his residence at o'clock, but Mrs Villas
will not be able to appear.
The practice of calling Will not be so
general as formerly among people of the
highest caste, and but few of the fashion
ables will open their houses. Among
these are Mrs, Senator Sherman, who will
have number of wives OF other Senators
to assist her; Mrs. Stockbridge, the wife of
the Senator from Michigan, who will also
have several Senatorial ladies In her par
lors, and the wife of Senator Davis, of
Minnesota, who will receive her friends
and admirers for the first time,
AT THE WHITE HoUsE.
The new year came in with a bright and
beautiful day in Washington. The sun
shone warmly in an almost cloudless sky,
and with the exception of ice covered
sidewalks in the city, which made walking
difficult, the day was all that could be de-
sired.
The White House was the main point
OF interest to the official world and the
public to day. Long before the beginning of
the Presidents annual reception the great
gates along the Pennsylvania avenue en-
frances to the grounds were surrounded by
people who gazed with curiosity at the
brilliantly costumed throng of diplomats
and officers as it filed through the execu-
tive mansion. The interior was tastefully
but not lavishly decorated with ported
plants, flowers and vines. All of the
shades were drawn and the gas burned
brightly in the crystal chandeliers, which
were festooned with smilax and other
graceful vines. The vestibule was almost
filled by the scarlet coated Marine Band,
which, under the direction OF Prof. Soussa,
discoursed pie asing music as the ceremo-
mics progressed.
A few minutes after II o'clock the band
began to play Hail to the Chief and the
reception party descended the stair case
and entered the Blue psrlor. Marshal Will
son and Lieutenant Duval, u. S. n, led the
party, followed by the President and Mrs.
Bsyard, Secretary Bayard and Mrs. Cleve-
land, Secretary Fairchild and Mrs. Whit
ney, Secretary Endicott and Mrs. Fair
child, Postmaster General Villas and
Colonel Lamont. Secretary Whitney came
later and joined the party in the Blue par
lor. Marshal Wilson took q position at
the west door of the room and introduced
the officials and public to the President,
who stood at his right hand. Lieutenant
Duval performed a like service for the
officers of the Army and Navy. Mrs. Ueve-
land stood near to the President and was
assisted by Miss Bayard, Mrs. Fairchild
and Mrs. Whitney. The space in the rear
Of the reception party was filled with per-
sons prominent in Washington official So
ciety, among them being Miss Endicott,
Mrs. Lamont, Miss Villas, Miss Garland,
Mrs. Sheridan, Mrs. A. E. Stevenson, Mrs.
Leo Knott, Mrs. 81. s. Thompson, Mrs.
Pruin, Mrs. Colonel Wilson, Mrs. A. A.
Wilson, Miss Wilson, Mrs. George Bancroft
and Mrs. Stebbins.
Mrs. Cleveland wore a princess dress of
olive green plush, trained and cut pompa.
dour at the neck. The skirt was gathered
full at the waist and the rich train of plush
was without single break. At
either side and front we're up and down
stripes of ecru Etruscan silk lace, the only
trimming upon the skirt. The same kind
OF Lace was used to edge the square neck,
for epaulettes upon the shoulders and
down the elbow sleeves, and for cuffs
turned back at the elbow and down the
front of the bodice, on either
side of the fastenings. Her right baud
was barred, and on her arms were gold
bracelets; in the lace on the side of her
corsage was coil of gold wire; in her left
hand was gray white glove and a closed
fan, and in her hair, which was in Clytie
knot, was arranged necklace, caught
with two diamond stars. Her neck was
without ornament, and outlining the
waist line was a white silk cord, knotted
in front and falling almost to her feet,
ending in two tassels. Her slippers we're
bronze leather, embroidered with bronze
leads.
Miss Bayard wore high necked dress OF
black dotted tulle, short skirted, trimmed
with black lace and open V shaped at the
neck, yelled with black tulle. There werS
rows of white pearls about her throat and
q great bunch of American beauty roses in
her corsage. She held black fan and
wore black gloves.
Mrs. Fairchild wore a white toilet of
white satin. 1t was half high in the neck,
had train of ivory white brocade, and
the front festooped with white gauze over
small frills of plated gauze and lace. She
wore large pearl pendant from a white
ribbon that encircled her throat.
Mrs. Whitney wore a French dress of
antique blue brocade, with rows of silver
embroidery upon the folding panels. The
train was full and plain. The corsage was
V shaped, draped with silver bangled tulle,
and at the point she wore an immense
diamopd Star In her ears she wora aoli-