Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va) 1886-1890, 1890-01-02
WASHINGTON
OFFICIAL RECEPTION AT THE
WHITE HOUSE.
Many DISTINGUISHES VISITORS.
The Mansion Beautifully Decorated
The Forsign Representatives 50 tho
International Conference.-The
Marine hand.
BY Associated Press.

WARRINGTON, January lilo
new year began with a cold disagreea-
Bile rain, which continued throughout
the day. It aaturally had . de-
pressing effect upon those who had
prepared q program Of visitors. The
White House was as usual the central
point of interest. There have been ,oi
course. many similar occasions ct that
historic mansion, but those whose
memory and experience add weight
TO their judgment, agree that none OF
Its predecessors has exceeded in bril-
liancy, this the first official reception
given by the head Of tho present ad.
ministration. Certainly, never before
has there been at the White House .
reception Of SUCH large and distip.
guished representation from other ma
tions of the world. This was due to
the presence. in addition to the regu-
lar diplomatic and consular officers OF
other countries, OF delegates to the
International Maritime conference,
and the delegates TO the Pan-Ameri.
can conference. The presence OF
these distinguished foreigners was
naturally leading feature OF the
reception.
The mansion had been specially pre-.
pared for the occasion, and when the
reception was at its height presented
a spectacle Of unusual beauty and
splendor. The full Marine band in
gay uniforms OF red and blue was sta.
toned In the vestibule just inside
main entrance, and with but few in
termissions, played lively and inspir-
ing music from the time, the presid-
emit took his stand at the head OF the
receiving line in tho blue parlor until
the last Of the callers had taken his
Departure period oflittle over three
hours. The interior decorations,
while not elaborate, were very effec.
tive, consisting Of liberal distribu
ton OF the tropical and Towering
plants in all places whore they could
be displayed to advantage. The
general effect was also heightened by
the brilliant illumination OF all the
parlors, tho bright gas light being
reflected from the myriads OF
iridescent crystals and numerous
French plate glass mirrors. The
tall India rubber plants. mingled
with delicate ferns and ivy, lined the
main corridor and filled every alcove.
In the east room, opposite tho cor.
ridor. was huge bank OF tropical
plants tastefully arranged, reaching
nearly to the ceiling, and the many
broad mantels of the east room were or.
namented with choice plants in giided
pots. The red and green parlors also
contained a profnsion Of plants and
flowers, but the blue parlor, whore
the reception was actually held, gave
an indication Of having received the
greatest share Of attention from the
decorations. In this room, in addition
to the liberal display of rare plants,
ferns and smilaI, there was a profusion
of cut flowers, including roses, poin-
ssltas, tulips, camelias. hyacinths.
araleas, carnations, japonicas and
beRonias. These were banked IN
bright designs upon the mantels and
served to form q huge bouquet on the
central divan The largo doorway
ut the back OF the room was concealed
By q number OF tall. large-leaved
plants, which formed a beautiful
background for tho receiving party
The reception proper did not begin
until II o'clock, but the viee-president
and members of the cabinet with tho
ladies OF their families arrived shortly
before that hour, and were shown di'
rectly into the presidents presence,
In his private parlor up stAirs.
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 tho extremely ia
milliar air, Hail to the Chief"
The party entered the blue room in
tho following order: Colonel Ernest,
of the U. 8. A., and Lieutenant Par.
ker, OF the o. S. N; the president and
Mrs. Mckee, Vice-President and ID r..
Norton, Secretary Of State and
Hrs. 8. B. Elkins, Secretary OF
Treasury and Mrs. Window, Attor.
ney General and Mrs. Miller, Postmas-
tor General and Mrs. Wanamaker,
Secretary Of Navy and Mrs. Tracy,
Secretary Of Interior and Mrs. Noble,
Secretary of Agriculture aud Mrs
Rusk and Secretary Of War and Mrs
Logan.
Colonel Ernest, of the army, and Lieu
tenant Parker. of the navy, acted al
the masters OF ceremonies, the form
er making the presentations to the
President Except in the case Of special
presentations) and the latter repeat
Ing the introductions to Mrs. Mckee
who occupied the place next to the
president Other ladies assisting were
ranged next in order as follows: Mrs.
Morton, Mrs. Window, Mrs. Miller,
Mrs. Wanamaker, Nrs. Tracy, Mrs
Noble, and Mrs. Ruek.
The toilettes Of the ladies were
singularly rich and becoming and
were greatly admired on all sides
Mrs. Mckee wore q beautiful dress OF
white ArmeRe silk with square neck
and full elbow sleeves, made a Ia
Martha Washington, the front being
embroidered in white "Mouseleing de
Soire.n Her ornaments were dia-
mords. Her manner was gracious
and cordial. and added to her DO
|
forcible impression. She carried q
large bouquet of catherine mermot
roses and followed the example OF he'
mother in acknowledging the
general introduction BY the bow
instead of by shaking hands.
The president, however, adhered to
The precedent and shook hands with
Zach one Of tho Thousands who called.
Back OF the receiving line were
large numbers Of specially invited
friends, including nearly all the debu
tants OF the season:
The members OF the diplomatic corps
were the first received: They were pro.
seuted by Secretary Blaine, assisted
by other officials Of the state depart.
ment. Ali were in full court costume
and added brilliant coloring to the
scene with their jeweled orders and
profusion OF gold lace. The most strik'
Ing costumes were worn by the re-
preeentatives Of Russia, Great Britain,