The state herald., 1890-01-10
THE PRESIDENTS REcEprloN.
Unusually Brilliant New Years Recsp-
tion at the White House.

VoV ~ tUo WVu0 Tlooocs
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2.-The new
year began with cold and disagreeablc
rain, which continued throughout the day.
The White House, as usual was the center
Of interest, and no one OF its predecessors
exceeded In brilliancy the first o&cial re-
ception given by the head Of the present
administration. Certainly never before
has thore been at White House reception
such large and distinguished representa-
tion from other nations. This was due
principally, In addition to the regular dip
iomatlc aud consular officers, to the dole
gates to the maritime and pan American
conferences.
Tho interior decorations, while not elab-
crate, wero very effective, consisting OF
. liberal distribution OF tropical and flow
ering plants and cut flowers.
The reception was held In the blue parlor
from II till O'CLOCK. Tho receiving party
entered the parlor in the following order:
The President and Mrs. Mckee, the Vice
President ind Mrs. Morton, the Secretary
OF state and Mrs. S. B. Elkins, the Secre
tary OF the Treasury and Mrs. Window,
the Attorney General and Mrs. Wanna
maker, the Secretary Of the Navy and
Mrs. Tracy, the Secretary of the Interior
and Mrs. Noble.
Mrs. Mckee occupied the place next to
the President and tho other ladies assist
ing were arranged next In order as fol-
lows: Mrs. Morton, Mrs. Window, Mrs
Miller, Mrs. Wanamaker, Mrs. Tracy,
Mrs, Noble and Mrs. Rusk.
The diplomatic corps, the judiciary and
members Of Congress were presented in
the order named. The reception Of officers
OF the army and navy und marine corps
which followed was probably tho showiest
feature Of the day, they being In full dress
uniform and resplendent with brass but.
IONS, bright cpaulettes, gaudy sashes, gold
lace, etc. Major General Schofcld headed
the army and Rear Admiral Jouett the
navy. Admiral Porter did not attend on
account OF bad weather.
1t was now ~ O'Clock and the reception
became more general In its character; in.
deed callers became so numerous and fol-
lowed each other SO closely that the presi-
don't was compelled Is restrict his welcome
to single shake of the hand and simple
~ am glad to sec you.' Those received
in this manner included the officers of the
Smithsonian Institution, the civil service
commissioners, assistant secretaries and
chief officers Of various departments and
the faculty Of the Columbian Institute for
the deaf aud dumb.
The next section of callers was headed
by the few survivors Of the war Of 1876,
closely followed by u large representation
OF Grand Army men and smaller body OF
gray haired, venerable looking men known
us the "Oldcst inhabitants Of the District
Of Columbia
The reception Of the public generally was
next in order and the gates to the grounds,
which had been closed up to this time, OK.
cept TO privileged few, were thrown open
and the crowd thronged into the mansion.
The reception lasted until o'clock, and
II Is estimated that during that time the
president shook hands with nearly G,OOo
people. When IL was over the president
invited the ladies' who assisted him and a
number OF others to Join him in n luncheon
which had been prepared expressly for
them in the hallway upstairs.
| Mrs. Harrison's absence was due TO the
recent death of her sister, and 1t was at
her request that her daughter, Mrs. Nc
hcc, assumed the responsibilities OF host.
ess on this occasion. Mrs Blaine was un.
able to assist by reason OF the death of her
sister. Mrs. Proctor is in bad health and
was unable 10 attend.