The Helena independent., 1889-01-03
HAD MANY CALLERS.
The White House Reception on Tues
day the Most Brilliant President
Cleveland Has Yet Had.
THE LADIES' DRESSES.
Descriptions OF the Elegant Costumes
Worn by Mrs. Cleveland and
Other Ladies' Washington
Official Lite Represented.

WAsHiS0roS, Jan. 2-The White
House seldom, II ever, presented more
brilliant spectacle than yesterday, on the
occasion OF the presidents New Year re-
ception. Special pains had been taken
with the decorations, and the beautiful
suite OF parlors where the reception was
held never appeared to better advantage.
There was a profusion OF flowers and
plants distributed with charming effects,
the choicest plants being placed in the
stood. But the most elaborate floral deco
rations were in the East room, where the
visitors spent few minutes in social
conversation after they had paid their re-
spects. The mantles were banked with
How, rs and festoOn of grasses and ferns
was suspended from the chandeliers. Tall
palms were placed In the windows and
corners, and tropical plants Of all kinds
lined the corridor running through the cen
ter OF the house. The large divan In the
east room was Ornamented with beauti-
ful vase containing palms Of different hues.
Part Of the lower floor was illuminated by
gas, but the sunlight was given full play In
the east toom. The weather was bright
and sunsbiny, and. In fact. everything Was
most ausplcious. The reception began al
ii o'clock. at which time the receiving par
" descended the stairs and took their places
in the Blue Parlor. AS they appeared
In sight the Marine band started "llail 10
the Chief" and continued playing II un'
III the party had taken their positions. A
passage was made for them through the
crowd that had already gathered In the
house. They came In the following order:
Colonel Wilson and LieuteDat Duyall, of
the army; the president ard Miss Bay ard;
Secretary Bayard and Mrs. Clevelard; Sec
retary Fairchild and Mrs. Whitney; Sec
retary Endicott and Mrs. Fairchild Secre-
Secretary Villas and Postmaster General
Dickinson. They took their places with
the president and Mrs. Cleveland first In
the line, then Miss Bay ard. Mrs. Falrchild,
Mrs. Whitney and Mrs. Dickinson In the
order named. Grouped behind them were
number of guests. Including Mrs. Fol.
som. Mrs. Chief Justice Fuller, Mrs.
Speaker Carlisle, Miss Florence BayArd,
Miss Villas. Miss Whitney, Mrs. Lamont,
Hon. Hugh McCulloch and wife, Mrs.
Hearst and q. =. breckenridge.
The president wore black Prince Albert
suit, with black tie. Mrs. Cleveland wore
a beautiful robe OF pale pink faille, made
with round Uain. The corsage was
rounded at the Top and had short sleeves.
The front OF the skirt was draped in a
silver embroidered net that had fringe of
bugles al the foot. On either side were
plain panels Of soft French gray silk, EN-
broidered In n pattern OF rOsebuds In silver.
The back OF rhe panels was edged with
heavy Russian fur that commenced at thu
waist line and continued around the pink
train. The back OF the dress was princess
shaped, with pllk folds ON tne waist
fastened with pearl embroidery. The front
of the jacket was shaped rounded and fell
over full vest OF pink silk draped
with white net The sleeves were OF pink.
with short puffs edged on the arm with
pearl bands. The body was edged with
heavy fur. She wore two diamond neck.
laces and a diamond star In her hair. which
was dressed in loops on top of her head.
Her gloves were OF soft pearl color.
Mics Bayard, who stood next, wore a
short dress OF blue brOcade with PAINTED
body, back and front. upon which were
laid folds of gauze Sprays Of white lilac
adorned the body and kirtle Of gauze was
draped about the upper part OF the skirt.
The sleeves were cut to the elbow and her
hair was dressed high with blue feather.
Mrs. Faircbild wore trained dress Of
plain colored silk, the body cut low and the
train was Of silk. The front was draped
with frills of lace and the petticoat OF dull
white satin. Across the front Of the low
body was tied iichu Of lace, knotted nj
one side.
Mrs. Whitney wore superb gown of
white brocade, made with high bodice and
en- train. Down the front of the body and
skirt were folds Of yellow satin aud gold
embroidery. The high collar was fastened
with III ee stone diamond pin. She wore
a great diamond star In the gold embroidery
OF her bodice. On her shoulder was 4
large ruby set with diamonds
Mrs. DickinsOn's dress was pale green
silk, embroidered In silver, with train OF
the same material. The front was draped
In tulle and also the low body. She wore
a black ribbon about her throat
The reception proper began with the pre-
sentatiOn Of the members Of the diplomatic
corps, all in court dress. The most striking
costumes were those worn by the represe
sentatlyes Of China, Russia. France and
Corea. Hadje Hassien Khouli Khan, TIN
new Persian minister. attracted the most
attention. He is the first Representative OF
that country accredited 10 the United
States. The column was headed by Count
Favla, the Italian minister. Mr.. Preston
the Haytian minister, who is dean Of Oh,
corps, was prevented from taking his ac
customed place at the head OF the line by
reason OF pressing business which required
his presence In New York. Secretary
Bayard presented the diplomats 10 th'
President and Mrs. Cleveland. and ther
departed o. his residence 20 presld,
at a breakfast given In their honor
He left the White House In company Will
his daughters. Col. Wilson and Lieut.
Duyai then took their places near the
president and Mrs. Cleveland and intro
duced all who followed. The Justices o
the supreme court, headed by Chief .lustic,
Fuller, came first, and were followed n
rapid succession By the judges Of the c0ur
Of claims. and the judiciary Of the dlstric
Of Columbia. Nearly all the Judges wer'
In attendance, the principal absentee beinl
Justice Matthews who Is still confined L
his residence by III health. The next feat
ure Of the reception, the army and navy
was probably the most Interesting o
all. The army officers wer
first presented. The recent afiiicti0t
In the family Of Major General Schoield
commanding the army. prevented his pres
ence. and the line was headed by Brigade
General Wagner (retlr d. and Brigade
General Bent. chief of ordinance. the sen
ior ranking officer In the city. Nearly al
the officers stationed In this vicinity wer
present, and of course sll In full uniform
The column of naval officers was heade'
by Admiral Porter and Rear Admiral Jou
EFT Rear Admiral Russell and Command
ers Walker, 81 Card, Melville and COlone
McCawley occupied places near the hea
Of the line.
The senators and representatives wer
assigned place ahead OF the army an
navy, but were nearly all late and too
places wherever most convenient The
were less IN number than usual. The COZ
gresslonal delegation was followed closel
by the commissioners Of the District {
Columbia, the officers OF the Smthsonia
Institute and OF the executive department.
Among these walked Assistant Sscreiaris
| Thompson and Maynard, Gen. Stevenson
Gen. Knott, Assistant Secretary Riy,
and Solicitor General jerks. Librarian SpO
ord and Commissioners Cooley, Bragg an
SchOonmakeT Of the Interstate commert
commission. The close Of the o1lcli
lines was composed OF veterans 0f the WI
OF 1546, the q. A. r. and members OF n
Oldest inhabitants association. So far n
reception had occupied over an hour and
half, and the president and Mrs. CieVelan
had kept Up a constant hand shaking. tt
reception was. however. Just about Ia
over, as at 1890 o'clock the outer doO
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