Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1890-01-03
The Reception Rooms We're Beauti-
fully Decorated With Tropical
Plants in Bloom.
The Striking Costumes of the DiplO-
matte Corps Was a Notable
Feature.
The Northwestern congressman Make
Their New Years Calls III
d Body
White House Reception.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-The New Year
began with cold disagreeable rain, which
continued throughout the daE and this
naturally had depressing effect upon
those who had prepared programmes for
visits. The White House as usual was the
central point OF interest. There have been
of course many similar occasion at this
hiStO. ic mansion, but those whose memory
and experience add weight to their iudg
menT agree thEt o one OF its predecessors
has Exceed ed il brillancy the first official
reception given by the head Of the present
adm fnistration. Certainly never before
has there Oeen at the White House recep-
ton such a large and distinguished repre-
sentation from other nations of the world.
This was due to the Gsesence, in addition
to the regular diplClatic and consular Off
GERS of other countries, of the delegates to
the International maritime conference ,and
delegates to the pan-American conference.
The presence of these distinguished for
eigners was naturally the leading features
of the occasion. and when the reception
was at its height, presented spectacle of
unusual beauty and splendor.
THE FULL MARINE BAND,
III gay uniforms of red and blue. was sta
toned in the vestbule just inside the main
entrance, and with but few lntermissions
played lively and inspiring music from the
time the president took his stand at the
head of the receiving line in the blue par
lor until the last of the callers had taken
their departure, "a period of a little over three
hours. The interior decorations, while not
elaborate were very effective, consisting OF
liberal distribution OF tropical and flower
ing plants in all places where they could
be displayed to advantage. The general
effect was also heightened by the brilliant
illumination of all the parlorS bright gas
light being reflected from myriads of iri-
descent crystals and numerous French
plate glass mirrors. Tall India rubber
plants mingled with delicate ferns, lined
the main corridor and filled every alcove.
large bank of tropical plants tastefully
arranged, reaching nearly to the ceiling,
| and many broad mantelS of the east room
| were ornanented with choice plants in
| gilded pots. The red and green parlors
also contained a profusion Of plants and
ception was actually held, gave indications
of having received greater share OF at
tention from the decorators. In this room,
in addition to a liberal display of rare
plants, ferns and smilaX, there was pro-
fusion of cut flowers. These were banked
in bright designs, upon the mantels, and
served to form huge bouquet on the CEN
tral divan. The large doorway at the back
of the room was concealed by a number OF
tall, large leaved plants, which formed a
beautiful background for the receiving
party. The reception proper did not begin
until II o'clock, but the vice-president and
members of the cabinet with the ladies Of
their families arrived shortly before that
hour and were shown directly into the
presidents presence in the private parlOr
up stairs.
| THE RECEIVING PARTY.
| When everything was in readiness, the
president and party descended to the blue
parlor and took their places in line. The
Marine band signalled their arrival with the
extremely familiar air, "Hail to the Chief"
The party entered the blue room in the
following order: Colonel Ernest, U. S. A.
and Lieutenant Parker, u. S. N; the presi-
dent and Mrs. Mckee; Vice. President and
Mrs. Morton; the secretary Of state and Mrs.
S. B. Elkins; Secretary of Treasury and Mrs.
Window; Attorney General and Mrs. Mil
Ter; Postmaster General and Mrs. Wana-
maker; Secretary of Navy and Mrs. Tracey;
Secretary of Interior and Mrs. Noble; Sec
retary of Agriculture and Mrs. Rusk, and
| the secretary of war and Mrs. Logan. Col.
Earnest Of the army and Lieutenant
Parker of the navy, acted as masters Of
| ceremonies, the former making presenta-
| ti0ns to the president, except in case OF
| special presentations, and the latter repeat
| ing introductions to Mrs. Mckee, who oc-
cupied a place next to the president. Other
ladies assisting were in order as follows:
Mrs. Morton, Mrs. Window, Mrs. Miller,
Mrs. Wanamaker, Mrs. Tracey, Mrs. Noble
and Mrs. Rusk. The toilets of the ladies