The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-01-02
officials, Diplomates and Citizens Greet
ed by President and Mrs. Harrison.
White House Respondent in Electric Iii ghts,
New Decorations and Fittings, but Too
Small to Accommodate the Crowd.
Brief Description of the Dresses Worn
by Members of the Receiving Party.
Receptions at the Residences of the Vice. Pres
ident and Members Of the Cabinet-Diplo-
matte Corps Entertained BY Mr.. Blaine.


AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
President and Mrs. Harrison and Wives Of
Cabinet Oncers Receive In the Blue Parlor.
Special TO the indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-The weather,
which for the past week or two had been
strOcious. was all that could be desired to-
day. being enjoyable and seasonsble. For
the New Years reception at the White
House elaborate arrangements had been
made. but with even more striking effect
than ever. Since New Year. 1891. the lower
floor of the executive mansion. with the
exception of the East Room. had practi-
caliy all been redecorated and retitted.
The general good effect of the changes and
improvements was heightened by the pres
ence of electric lights. which, except in the
Blue Room, have been added since the last
similar reception was gwen. But the rush
OF the crowd to-day demonstrated anew
the truth of the statement that until the
mansion is ENLARGED according to the plans
of Mrs. Harrison, or otherwise, it will not
accommodate, with any degree OF comfort.
tithe of those who would like TO partici-
pate in such an event.
For this occasion the White House was
made as brilliant and attractive as p0ssi-
ble and the tout ensemble surpassed that
of any previous reception. The New Years
reception began at IL o'clock. different
classes of official callers being admitted at
stated periods until 1885. when the general
public made their appearance. So 1t was
that just as the hands of the common eight
day clock at the foot of the stairway in the
business side of the mansion. staring him
in the face. stood ct IL o'clock, John Philip
Sousa, director of the Marine Band. waved
his baton and the band struck up tho "Oc-
oidental March," q composition OF his own.
1t was then the President and Mrs. Hsrri.
son and the members of the receiving party
descended to take their places in the Blue
Parlor. The change which relocated to the
limbo of obscurity the old time 'See, the
ConQuerlng Hero Comes" was very grateful
to the party, and Mr.. Sousa. for his delicate
consideration, received the hearty II silent
thanks OF every member. As the party
gathered in the Blue Parlor greetings and
compliments were exchanged with each
other and the favored ones who had pre-
ceded them into the apartment
The official order of the reception WAS
followed. The diplomatic corps, resplend-
ant in brilliant uniforms. accompanied by
the intercontinental railway commission
ers, came first. and as = compliment TO them
the Marine Band played airs of all nations.
In regular order carne tho Snprcme Court
Of the United States and other members CT
the federal judiciary; then Senators and
representatives in Congress and their
ladies. new members predominating; then
the officers of the executive departments of
public institutions. and war veterans, and
then the reception of the general public for
an hour and q half.
THE RECEIVING PARTY.
The President and Mrs. Harrison were
assisted in receiving by Mrs Morton, Mrs.
Elkins, Mrs. Foster, Mrs. Wilmerding Mrs.
Noble, Mrs. Rusk. Mrs. Miller and Mrs.
Wanamnker. Mrs. Blaine was unable to
be present because of i'll health. A large
number of women were especially invited
to be present to assist in entertaining suoh
of the guests as were asked behind the
line. These were: Miss Blaine. Miss Fos-
ter. Miss Elkins, Miss Wanamaker, Miss
Rnsk, the Misses Halstead. Mrs. Schoteld.
Mrs. Andrews. Mrs Sutherland, Mrs. Will
lam Smith. Mrs w. N. Folger, Mrs. N. H.
F. N. Ramsey, Mrs. William A. Peifer. Mrs.
James l.. Pugh. Mrs. Thomas Il. Reed, Mrs
q. X. Hut. Mrs. Bugher. Mrs. j. E. Beall.
Mrs. Breckinridge, Miss Breckinrid &c. Mrs.
J. n. Dolph, Mrs. &. A. Dolph. Mrs. j. w.
W. II. Taft. Mrs. Frank Hsttop, Mrs.
Hazen, Mrs. ]. A. Logan, jr., Mrs j. r. Mo.
Lean. Mrs: j. r Montgomery. the e Misses
Miss Pinchot. Mrs. Pinchot, Miss Warfield,
Mrs. James Grant and Mrs. Wilson.
Mrs. Herrison's gown was of pomeRran-
ate satin, with brocaded border IN differ.
broidered in amber. The waist was made
with open neck. She wore diamonds and
carried a poInt-lace fan and bunch Of
orchids. Her costume was rich aud ex-
| tremely becoming.
Mrs. Mckee wore q white satin Dress
brooaded in pink rose petals; bottom Of
front draped with pink chiffon: low cors-
aye trimmed with pink, chiffon. sash of
| pale blue moire ribbon, sleeves of chiffon,
caught with pale blne ribbon. Her orna-
| ments were diamonds and pearls.
Mrs. Dimmick's costume was white
moire antique, with train embroidered with
] chiffon; low waist and diamond ornamental
Mrs. Morton wore O superb costume of
| old-rOse satin, brocaded lii waved lines. 1t
had perfectly plain skirt and q high
necked waist. 1t was richly trimmed with
passemenetrie and beaded fringe of the
Miss Foster wore q ne-colored velvet
gown made in princess style, combined
| with heliotrope brocade. 1t was trimmed
with passementerie
| Mrs. Elkins had on q light yellow satin,
menterie and lace. It was slightly open at
the neck. and had elbow sleeves Her jew
els were pearls
Mrs. Miller wore heliotrope velvet com-
bined with msuve brOcade. The long train
| was made of heliotrope silk. Real lace
| trimmed the bodice
Mrs. Wilmerding. who is still wearing
| mourning. had on plain white peau de
sole dress. The bodice was slightly open
at the neck and prettily finished with chif.
| fon frilIs.
Mrs. Wanamaker wore French toilet of
| deep heli0trope satin, brocaded in white
| ivy vines. 1t had panels formed of ecru
lace down each side of the tram. The
bodice was slightly open at the neck.
| trimmed with eeru lace. cincture of
| gold embroidered satin was worn.
| Mrs. Noble wore n trained gown of yellow
/ brocade. high necked and handsomely
trimmed with real lace and jet pendants.
| Mrs Rusk wore gray and pink brocade
satin. 1t had jacket bodice with . vest
| of pink crepe.
Mrs Romero wore a French gown of cut
| velvet with q groundwork of olive satin.
| Mrs. Foster wore her wedding gown of
] white corded silk with trimmings of point
lace.
The entire diplomatic corps was invited
| in a body To n place behind the line of the
| receiving party and spent quarter of an
| hour longer consersing with tho women
| who had been invited to assist the Presi-
| dent Mrs. Harrison and the women of the