The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1888-01-03
BEAUTIFUL WEATHER FOR THE
PRESIDENTS RECEPTION.
There Was Not SO Great . Crowd at
the Last, but . Saeesas-NOa IN
CntOward Incident.

Iul uay III w AsulnStOu Inc Sun suOne
warmly in an almost cloudless sky. and
with the exception Of ice-covered side
walks in the early morning. which
made walking little difficult, the day
was all that could be desired.
AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
The White House was the main point
of interest to the official world and the
public to-day, and long before the be-
ginning of the Presidents annual recep-
ton the great iron gates closing the
Pennsylvania avenue entrances to the
grounds were surrounded by people,
who gazed with curiosity at the bril-
liantly costumed throng Of diplomats
and officers as it filed through into the
Executive Mansion.
INTERIOR DECORATIONS.
The Interior was beautifully decorated
with potted plants, flowers and vines.
All of the shades were drawn and the
gas burned brightly in the chandeliers
which were festOoned with smilax and
other graceful vines. The vestibule was
almost filled with the scarlet coated Ma
1
Professor Sousa, discoursed pleasing mu-
sic as the ceremonies progressed.
THE RECEPTION BEGINS
A few minutes after IL O'Clock the
band began Hail TO the Chief" and the
reception party descended the staircase
and entered the Blue Par.or. Marshal Will
son and Lieutenant Duval, U. s. N, led
the party, followed by the President and
Miss Bayard, Secretary Bayard and Mrs.
Cleveland, Secretary Fairchild and Mrs.
Whitney. Secretary Endicott and Mrs.
Fairchild, Postmaster General Villas and
Colonel Lamont. Secretary Whitney
came later and joined the party in the
Blue Parlor. Marshal Wilson took posi-
ton at the west door of the room and in
troduced the officials and public to the
President, who stood at his right hand.
Lieutenant Duval performed the like ser
vices for the officers of the army and
navy.
Mrs. Cleveland stood next to the Pres
ident and was assisted by Miss Bayard,
Mrs. Fairchild and Mrs. Whitney.
SOME NOTABLE LADIES.
The space in the rear Of the reception
party was filled with persons prominent
in Washington official society, among
them being Miss Endicott, Mrs. Lamont,
Miss Villas. Miss Garland, Mrs. Sheridan,
Mrs. A. E. Stevenson, Mrs. Leo Knott,
Mrs. III. s. Thompson, Mrs. Pruyn, Mrs.
Colonel Wilson, Mrs. A. l.. Wilson, Miss
Wilson, Mrs. George Bancroft and Mrs.
Stebbins.
THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS.
When the party had taken up its posi-
tion and exchanged greetings with the
members Of the Cabinet, the diplomatic
corps was received. All the foreign min
listers, except the representatives from
Portugal and Italy. were present. Senior
Preston, of Hayti, Dean of the Corps, led
the party, which made a brilliant pic
ture in their lavishly embroidered diplo-
matte costumes. The Chinese minister
and his suite, clad in richly decorated
silk Oriental garb, attracted much atten-
ton.
The Supreme Court next paid its re-
spects to the President, all of its men,
bers being present. 1t was followed by
the Judges of the Court of Claims and
members of the District judiciary.
Then came the Senators and Repre-
sentatives in Congress with their ladies,
rather more in number than is usual
upon New Years Day. Speaker Car
Isle did not enter with members of the
House but came nearly half an hour late
THE ARMY AND NAVY.
The officers Of the army and navy,
who had assembled at their respective
departments, reaclsed the doorway just
as the last of the Representatives passed
through the Blue Room. Lieutenant
General Philip Sheridan headed the
army officers, while Rear Admiral
Jouett led the naval contingent. All
of the officers in Washington, active and
retired, were in the line, making pretty
picture with their dark blue uniforms,
gilt epaulettes and side arms.
Next came the regents and secretary
of the Smithsonian Institute, Commits
sioner of Agriculture, Civil Service Com
missioners, Interstate Commerce
Commission, Assistant Secretaries
| Of the departments, Assistant Post
| master Generals, Solicitor General,
Assistant Attorneys General, heads
| of bureau of the several depart
ments, and the president Of the Colum-
bia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb.
| VETERANS OF 1912.
A notable break in the programme at
this point was the non-appearance Of the
Associated Soldiers of the War of 1912.
| Last year they numbered six, but to-day
not one made his appearance.
The Grand Army of the Republic, with
| a large number of members and the old
est Inhabitants Association of the Dis
trict of Columbia, were the last organized
bodies to exchange greetings with the
Presidential party, and it was 1890
O'Clock before the western gate was
thrown open and the general public ad-
mitted-
THE GENERAL PCBIIc.
Although the people were present in
large numbers the crowd was hardly
equal to those Of previous years, presum-
ably for the reason that most of the citi-
sens have been abls to crafty their d.
sire to meet ths Prssidsnt 1t his weekly
r,u,os,<snsn mrin~r - Hnu an6 ~infpr