Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1890-01-16
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 1890.

From Our Regular Correspondeht.I
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 1890.
Despite n heavy mist, occasionally laps
ing into decided rain, the New Years re-
certi"n at the White House had about the
usual attendance. The crowd ON foot was
| II good-natured one. and the patience with
| which women in the line watched their
dress skirts ruined by the rain was remark
| able. The perseverance, exhibited by the
| average woman ut u presidential reception
is remarkable. She will take her stand in
| he line ia front of the state department. u
| bleck from the executive mansion, and re
main in that moving column for three or
for hours. only to- find at the end that 2
| o'clock has just arrived and the doors are
closed. A man p.les before such an ordeal
II woman will go through it again quite as
cheerfully next year. There were women in
the line yesterday, accompanied by their
daughters whom | first saw in the same
line in Grants time and have noticed at
every New Years reception since. There
were some very queer characters mingling
in the public procession harmless cranks
of many sorts faded, half-demented old
ladies in dresses Of AN unknown period, dig
niiied eulore. brethren in impossible silk
hats-as quaint and picturesque IL crew as
ever attended Roman carnival.
The president was assisted in the recep-
tion al the guests specially received. that is.
from | to l2:35 % clock by Mrs. Mckee,
Mrs. Morton aud the ladies of the cabinet
circles, with the exception uf Mrs. Blaine.
Mrs. Blaine like Mrs. Harrison, was alb
srut on account of the death uf IA sister.
Mrs. Mckee wore u trained gown of white
iallc Franchise. The fluffy bang aud the
loosely tied bunch of roses. the new Duchess
variety. gave her "A very simple aud youth
fu appearance. Mrs. Mortons appearance
was truly regal. She was undoubtedly the
finest dressed woman in the line of we'll
dressed women. The French gown Of steel
gray satin had panels of satin down the
skirt sides, divided down the front by
pleated strip of pink crepe. over which was
laid II heavy jet fringe. The jet passenen-
terie striped all the side panels down to
deep fall of black Chartilly lace. e.lging the
skirt. The train was long, and the low-cut
bodiec was borlered with folds Of rose-pnk
crepe. There were diamonds in her hair.
and -he carried bouquet Of white hya-
cinths.
The rooms were decoratel much a = usual,
save that ilowers were not 80 profusey Y
used as during some years. The Marine
band was in attendance and the programme
rendered was very tine. The president
-i""d he handshakiug very well and ia this |
he was assisted i,y the trained White House
servants, VIII" kept the line moving as fast |
a. possible. With the exception of an awk- !
ward hitch in the line when the senators
and representatives were let in too soon /
and became mixed up with the diplomatic |
corps. there were no disturbances Of thear-
for the day.
The presence of the pan-American dele
gates, in addition to the diplotnatic corps,
made the asscmhlage Of representatives oT |
either nations the largest ever seen at a
presidents reception. Baron Fava, the
Italian minister making his first aI.pear-
. nee as dean of the .iipiomatic corps.
headed the procession. Iniroduetions were
made by secretary blaine. The delegations
III Russia. England, France. China and
'orea attracted mosi attention.
The number of congressman present was
small and could not have included over
half al those in the city. there being not
over fifty in the line. This was the most
significant, feature of the day, and was
,ltcrwar'l made IA subject Of comment.
When the doors were closed at O'Clock
aud such al the public as were unlueky went
away without seeing the inside of he house.
the leader of the band took u drink with
he captain ri the watch. aud the president,
very carefully carrying his tired right arm
against his breast, went upstairs with Baby
Mckee. The initial reception of the first
"i the second century was
over. il being just one hundred years since
President Ge@rse Washington had given his
first New Years rec, ption.
The receptions at the residences of mem
I'ers of the cabinet were very brilliant and
we'll attended. Mrs. Mortons reception
was all that might have been expected.
After their reception at the White House
the diplomatic corps was driven To the resi-
ience oi the secretary of state near Ly.
The old Seward mansion has been So al
tered that the reception roons extend
across the entire front. breakfast was
served in the elegant banquet room below.