The Delta independent., 1890-01-07
THE PRESIDENTS RECEPTION.
Unusually Brilliant New Years Recep-
ton at the White House.

Ion al tne "nite T1OuSe.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2.-The new
year began with . cold and disagreeable
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 there been at White House reception
such large and distinguished representa-
tion from other nations. This was due
principally, in addition to the regular dip
lomatic and consular officers, to the dele
gates to the maritime and pan-American
conferences.
The interior decorations, while not elao-
crate, were very effective, consisting Of
liberal distribution Of tropical and flow
ering plants and cut flowers.
The reception was held inthe blue parlor
from II till o'clock. The receiving party
entered the parlor in the following order
The President and Mrs. Mckee, the Vice
President and 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 the 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.
h. Af,,tn
members Of Congress were presented in
the order named. The reception of officers
OF the army and navy and mariue corps
which followed was probably the showiest
feature Of the day. they being in full dress
Uniform and respondent with brass but
Tons, bright epaulettcs, gaudy sashes, gold
lace, etc. Major General Schofield headed
the army and Rear Admiral Jouctt the
navy. Admiral Porter did not attend on
account OF bad weather.
II was now u 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-
dent WAS compelled Is restrict his welcome
TO single shake OF the hand and simple
II am glad TO see 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 and dumb.
The next section OF callers was headed
by the few survivors of the war Of 1876,
closely followed by a large representation
OF Grand Army men and n smaller body of
gray haired, venerable looking men known
as the oldest 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, ea-
ccpt to q privileged few, were thrown open
and the crowd thronGcd into the mansion.
The reception lasted until o'clock, and
II is estimated that during that time the
president shook hands with nearly 6coJ
people. When II was over the president
invited the ladies' who assisted him and a
number Of others TO Join him in a 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 It was at
her request that her daughter Mrs. Nc
kcc, assumed the responsibilities OF host
css 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 TO attend.