Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-21
A WHITE HOUSE JAM.
Bessie Bramble Gets Squeezed in a
Big Reception Crowd.
BAD MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBLE
4 Visit to the Home of the Wanamakers
Very Satisfactory.
SPEAKER cHsP's PLACE IN HISTORY

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20. = 1t is quite
| likely that the recent reception at the
White House given by President and Mrs.
Harrison in honor of the army and navy
viii go down in history as sort of com.
panion picture to the Inauguration recep-
| tion of General jackson, where the halls
and rooms were packed by crowds of foreign
Ministers, diplomats, officers of the Govern
ment, and citizens, who made such scene
of disgracefu1 disorder and wild scramble as
made Judge Story record it as the "reign Of
King Mob"
At this notable assembly Of General
Jackson's regime, refreshments were to be
served in lavish profusion, but the multi
tude growing impatient proceeded to mako
raid upon the provisions in helter-skelter
style, helping themselves to everything at
hand Glass and china that had cost thou
sands of dollars, went to smash in the mad
rush. People had to climb upon the tables
and sofas to get out of the jam. To obtain
relief from the frightful pressure, the tubs
and barrels of punch that had been provided
were taken out upon the lawn. Altogether
the writers of those days gave 1t record as
an occasion of diabolical confusion and an
exhibition of barbaric human nature in the
meanest form.
He Was q Popular Idol.
"Old Hickory" was the President Of the
people, who adored him as q hero. He
stood for Jeffersonian simplicity and Ameri-
can democracy, and it is related that not
withstanding the inconvenience of travel
in those days, thousands of people went to
Washington to take part IN the Inauguration
and to see the idol of the country. AT his
last reception on Washington's Birth day,
in 1887, the guests were treated to slices
from mammoth cheese weighing 1,400
pounds, sent by rural admirers from the
State of New York.
The "tumultuous jubilation" excited as
great an amount of talk. and very likely as
much adverse criticism as did the army and
navy reception last week. On this solemn
occasion the multitude was not composed of
the rag-tag and bob-tail of the city, but of
its highest classes of brains and blood and
wealth, with visitors from other places Of
equal rank, who had received invitations.
Many of these would doubtless have re-
mained at home could they have known that
three times as many persons had been in
vited as could find standing room in the
White House. As result of this mis-
management or m1scount, or want of know
ledge as to how to get six thousand people
into space that could only give room for
two thousand, the reception to the army
and navy was the jammedest jam that could
be jammed into given space. The crush
was terrific The police were powerless.
Once in the crowd, it was impossible to get
either in or out. People mourned and
groaned, or scolded and laughed, as accorded
with their temperament and frame of mind.
They were not of the rabble pattern that
devastated the White House In Jackson's s
day; they had all had their dinners and
weretuned up for enjoyment. They were
all as polite as their crushing environments
would permit save two or three officers in
blue and gold who needed some discipline
for good society.
Very Amusing After All.
A common crowd would have pushed
through the glass doors that barred admis-
sion save to one or two at time. Costly
fans were crushed, diamonds were dropped,
laces torn, gowns ruined, ali sorts of mis-
haps and misfortunes occurred, and still
there was lots of fun, plenty to amuse and
laugh at in this ever-to-be remembered af-
fair. One Senator's wife said it was "out-
rageous to treat invited guests after this
fashion, Another remarked it was "posi-
lively atrocious," while another splendidlv
attired being declared she would never at
tend another Presidential reception the
longest day she lived.
In the hall were distinguished danes in
low-cut gowns and gorgeous diamonds, who
could neither get through the crowd to the
drawing rooms nor out of the multitude to
their carriages. Some favored guests were
admitted by way of the back door. The East
Room was 'crusher." The contrast be-
tween this cram and jam reception and
those of the olden time was forcibly in
view. Then the guests danced In
the East Room and refreshments were served.
Now there is not even standing room for
those invited, and even a cup of cold water
cannot be secured. In the days of Wash
ington and Adams Presidential receptions
were very formal-after the pattern of the
courts of Europe-but under Jefferson they
became "free and easy" Mrs. Madison's
entertainments were devoid of ceremonious
etiquette. She made it point to be popu-
lar and to provide enjoyment for her guests.
Mrs. John Quincv Adams was likewise
famous for her cordiality and hospitality.
Mrs. Tyler gave splendid entertainments,
and at grand ball at the White House just
before the Inauguration of James X. Polk
she led off in the quadrilles with our Will
lam wilkins Then came Mrs. Polk, who
introduced "puritanical austerity," and
would not tolerate dancing, or the vanities
of this wicked world. Her receptions were
cold and dull, but nothing is said by the
chroniclers of the times as to the levees and
receptions of the earlier Presidents, about
guests being compelled to stand out in the
cold for an hour and half, and receiving
neither welcome nor courtesy after being
admitted.
Bad Case Of Mismanagement
Considering all the talk about them the
ears of Mr.. and Mrs. Harrison must have
burned the whole evening. They were not
to blame for the crush, the discomfort, the
ridiculous state of affairs, say their friends,
but as host and hostess they got it all the
same Their delegated powers were evil
IDENTIFY utterly incompetent to manage the
affair. The flunkys had plainly lost their
heads. Those clothed with little brief
authority showed themselves to be blunder-
heads The whole affair was miserably
mismanaged.
The reception was announced from to II
P. NJ. and precisely at II the host and hostess
and family scuttled up the back stairs; the
lights were extinguished, the Marine band
played "Home Sweet Home" and every
body was only too glad to get away.
Strangers in the town who had hoped to see
the President. Mrs. Harrison and the re-
ceiving line, thought that considering the
crowd and the circumstances, they might
have been courteous enough to extend the
the time. Another hour would not have
killed them and it would have been great
pleasure and qualification to very many
people.
1t is urged strongly that the White House
should be enlarged, or that a new one
should be built better adapted to such occa-
sions While this is in question, and an
appropriation to such end is under discus