The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-01-02
Mr.. HARRISOA'S RECEPTION.
"A Brilliant Gathering at the
White House.
Ti'c Cabinet and Their Ladies lassist-Thc
f'nrlor" Beautifully Docoratcli-AIl, the
diplomatic Corps Out-0mc;a, Life
There I'm Massc-Tirc in the letter
Mansion Causes II Disturbance.

w WASHINGTON, ID. G., Jan. i.-lSDe-
cial Tho year 1871 opened wet, dis
agreeable and gloomy and the streets
were so filed with slush and melting
snow that walking w~s difficult and de.
cidcly unpleasant. New Years Day.
however. was generally observed not
withstanding the wcathc". Tho Presi-
dents reception was OF course the social
feature OF the day, and tho fact ihat the
chief magistrate OF the nation gives the
anniversary his official sanction explains
to large extent why the custom Of
calling on the first Of the year con-
tinues to BE- so universally observed in
Washington. The historic Wii'u House.
whlcn has been tho scene OF so many
brilliant spec,acles, never looked prot
tier than it did to-day.
Spscia pains were taken 18th the
decorations and everything was done to
make the mansion attractive as POSSIBLE.
The decorations We're confined t. flow
crs and plants, but the general effect of
the scene was heightnod by the system
OF electric lights which has Jus; been
introduced into the house. While there
was liberal display in the red and
green parlors, il didSpot compare with
the beautiful profusidn OF flowers and
plants in the blue parlor, where tho re-
ccptlon prope: was held, or the larre
stately cast room, where the callers
fingered afterwards to exchange friendly
greetings.
Tho reception began at IL o'clock,
the receiving party taking their places
IN the blue parlor ut that hour TO the
familiar strains of "Iiail to the CHER"
played ly the full Marine Band. which
was stationed in the vcstibulc just in
side the main entrance. Vice-Prcsi-
dent Morton and Mrs. Morton, and all
the members Of tho Cabinet with the
ladies OF their families, with exception
OF Mrs. nlainc, had previously joined
the PRESIDENT, and .nrs. HARRISON fol-
lo"cc th2m |Qwn stairs To tho reception
room. Here all the gentlemen with The
exception of .hc President retired TO thc
rcar OF the blue parlor, where large
mum Der of invited guests had gathered.
The receiving party then coYmed liz
Inc between the entrance and exit
doors in the following order: THO prosi-
dent, hlIs. Harrison. Mrs. Morton, Mrs.
Window, Mrs. Proctor. Mrs, Miller.
hiiS. Wanamallcr, and Mrs. Rusk.
The members Of the diplomatic corps
were iirstreceivcd. They were nearly all
present. All wore full court Costumes.
which in many eases, notably tho Rus
sian, German. Austrian, French, and
Chinese Ministers, was OF the most gor-
gcous description. They were presented
by Secretary Blaine and Assistant Sec
rotary Wharton, and made brilliant
apectacos with their glittcring jewels.
gold braid, and Changing swords
Baron Fava, OF Italy, dean Of the
cOvDS. led tho r,rCrncCinn f,llO,-.1 la,
Senor Romero, of Mexico. and others.
Nearly all the diplomats wtr, accom-
panied by ladies. Sir Julian Pauncef )rte,
British minister, was accompanied by
his family and all the members of tho
british legation and their families.
The Chinese legation, however, was the
most numerous and their beautiful
silscn court robes were much admired
Accompanying the corps were the mem
bers oil the international monetary con-
ference and members OF the American
international railway conference.
They were followed soon after by
Chief Justice and Associate Justices OF
the Supreme Court, Judges of tho
United States Court Of Claims and the
Judiciary of the District of Columbia
These were followed soon after BY
Senators and Representatives in Con-
gross and officers Of the District govern
ment. AS usual, the army and navy
and marine corps were strongly repre-
sontcd. Major General Schoirld headed
the army line and Commodore Ramsay
the navy. All the officers were III full
dress uniform, and their presence added
hriliiancy and animation to the scene.
While they were being presented. and
just after the departure OF thc diplo-
matte corps. word circulated through tho
rooms that Secretary blainc's house was
on fire. general alarm was manifested
at the ropOrt,as II WIS supposed that the
entire diplomatic corps wcyc at Secic-
tary Blaine's, guests at breakfast
at The time. Ccuricrs were dispa cAod
10 thc scene and general r"liof cX-
perienced at The II port that all was
well ~ B!aine's present residence. and
at that moment III full enjoyment OF his
hospitality. The story originated from
the fact that the fire was in the house
built by Mr.. Blaine bat occupied by Mr..
Letter OF Chicago.
Inc reception was interrupted for
short timo only by this incident and
there Was presented in rapid succession
the regents and tho secretary Of tho
Smithsonian Institution, the civil SER
VIC commissioners, the Interstate
ccmmeics commission, assistant sec
icI"ttc' ol INC experiments, 3SSlStan
postmaster general, solicitor general,
assistant attorneys, general commits
sionor OF labor, heads of bureaus OF the
several departments. president and
officers of the Columbian Institute, for
Deaf and Dumb the Associated Votrans,
OF the War Of 1876 Grand Army of Re-
public, the Loyal Legion, and members
Of the Oldest Inhabitant's Association,
of District of Columbia.
Senators liisccck and Blackburn wero
among the late cDmers. Thc former