Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1891-01-01
GORGEOUS SPECTACLE.
NEW YEARS DAY RECEPTION
AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
Flowers and Gold Lace and Pref
~ women iM Abundaance-NIrs.
Rlaine Not Present, hut the Sec
retary Was.

retary Was.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-The year 1891
opened wet, disagreeable and gloomy
here and the streets were so filled with
slush and melting snow that pedestrian
ism was difficult and decidedly unpleas-
ant.
New Years day, however. was gcner-
ally observed notwithstanding the
weather. presidents reception was
Of course the social feature otthe day and
the fact that the chief magistrate of the
nation gives the anniversary his rtBcial
sanction explains, to a large extent! why
the custom OF calling" on the first day
of the year continues to be so universally
observedin Washington.
The historic white house, which has
been the scene of so many brilliant spec
taclcs, never looked prettier than it did
to-day. Special pains were taken with
the decorations and everything was done
to make the mansion as attractive as
possible, and the government conscrva-
tories and lighthouses were taxed to their
utmost capacity for flowers and plants
and the supply being inadequ lte to meet
the Presidents desire, recourse was
had to private dealers. In fact it was
found necessary to go to New York and
Philadelphia tor some of the flowers used
in the devices. These were all of patri-
otic character, being fac similes of the
flag of the Union and the national coat
OF arms, both of which were prominently
displayed in different parts of the house.
The decorations were confined to
flowers and plants but the general effect
oi the scene was frightened by the sys.
tenn of electric lights which has Just been
introduced in the white house. While
there was liberal display in the red and
green parlors it did not compare with
the beautiful profusion of flowers and
plants in the beautiful blue parlor where
the reception proper was hfd i'll the
large stately east room where the callers
fingered afterwards to exchange friendly
greetings.
The reception began at II O'Clock, the
receiving party taking their places in the
blue parlor at that hour. Vice President
Morton and Mrs. Morton and all the
members of the cabinet with the ladies o
their families, excepting Mrs. Blaine, had
previously lined the President and Mrs
Harrison and followed them down stairs
to the reception room. Here all the gen
tlemen with the exception of the Pres
dent retired to the rear of the blue parlol
where large number of invited guest.
had already gathered.
The receiving party then formed in line
between the entrance and exit doors il
the following order: The president, Mrs
Harrison. Mrs. Morton, Mrs. Window
Mrs. Proctor, Mrs. Miller and man,
others.
The members Of the diplomatic corp:
were first received. They all wore ful
court costumes, which in many cases
needs the most gorgeous description
They were presented by Secretary Blain.
and were followed by the chief justic,
and the associate justices OF the supreme
court, judges of the United States court
of claims and judiciary Of the District o
Columbian. These were followed by
senator's and representatives in congress
and the army representatives and Others