Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1890-01-06
January L at Washington.

New Years day is always notable
day at Washington. Official Wash
ington assumed its most formal bear
ing iii the ceremonious actions which
long years of custom have sanctioned
as necessary to the proper observance
of the opening of a new year. Inter-
est centered at the Executive Man
sion, where the President and the
ladies of the Cabinet were to receive
those in official and social life. The
cold, pure whiteness of the exterior
of the Mansion was in direct contrast
with the scene within. There every
thing was warmth and brightness.
Smilax twined in and about the great
chandeliers and depended from the
tops of tall mirrors and windows.
The East Room, where most of the
callers assembled, was the only one
of the four public reception rooms
that secured its light from the sun.
In the Blue Room, where the Presi-
dent and his party stood, the decora-
tions lent an added charm to the gen.
eral beauty of the oval-shaped apart
ment. In the Red Room, where the
Diplomatic Corps assembled, and in
the Green Room the decorations were
much the same, differing only in the
substitution of lowered plants to suit
the colors in which the room was fur
nished.
The White House was the central
point of interest. There have been
many similar occasions at that historic
mansion, but those whose memory and
experience add weight to their judg-
ment agree that no one of its prede
cessors has exceeded in brilliancy the
first official reception given by the
head Of the present Administration.
Certainly never before has there been
at White House reception such q
large and distinguished representa-
ton from other nations of the world.
This was due to the presence, in adj
dition to the regular diplomatic and
consular officers of other countries,
of the delegates to the International
Maritime Conference and the dele
gates to the Pan-AmeTican Confer
ence. The presence of these distin
guished foreigners was naturally the
leading feature of the reception.
When everything was in readiness
the President and party descended to
the Blue Parlor and took their places
in line. The Maritime Band signaled
their arrival with the familiar air,
''Hail to the Chief The party en-
tered the Blue Room in the following
order: Col. Earnest, U. S. A, and
Lieut. Parker, q. S. n =; the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Mckee, the Vice Pres
ident and Mrs. Morton, the Secretary
of State and Mrs. S. b. Elkins, the
Secretary of the Treasury and Mrs.
Window, the Attorney General and
Mrs Miller, the Postmaster General
and Mrs. Wanamaker, the Secretary
of the Navy and Mrs. Tracy, the
Secretary of the Interior and Mrs.
Noble, the Secretary of Agriculture
and Mrs. Rusk, and the Secretary of
War and Mrs. Logan.
Col. Earnest of the army, and
Lieut.. Parker of the navy acted as
masters of ceremonies, the former
making the presentations to the Pres
ident, except in cases of special pre-
sentations, and the latter repeating
the introductions to Mrs. Mckee,
who occupied the place next to the
President. The other ladies assisting
were arranged next in order as fol-
lows: Mrs. Morton, Mrs. Window,
Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Wanamaker, Mrs.
Tracy, Mrs. Noble and Mrs Rusk. !
The toilets of the ladies were sing
ularly rich and becoming and were
greatly admired on all sides. The
President adhered to the precedent,
and shook with each one of the thous-
ands who called.
The members of the Diplomatic
Corps were first received. They were
presented by Secretary Blaine, assist
ed by other officials of the State De-
partment. All were in full court cos
tune and added brilliant coloring
to the scene, with their jeweled or
ders and profusion of old lace. The
most striking costumes were those
worn by the representatives. of Russia,
Great Britain, France, China and
Corea.
The President showed special pleas
ure in the reception of the delegates,
congratula ing those Of the Maritime
Confer ence upon the successful issue
Of their deliberations,