The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-03-04
Mr.. Cleveland Warmly Greeted on His Visit to
the White House and Mr. Harrison Given
Cordial Reception at the Arlington.
President.Elect and His Wife at the Ey.
ecutive Mansion in the Evening.
Baby Ruth Kissed by the President at Mrs.
ClevelanG's Request-Scenes Among theI In
suguration Crowds-Incidents Of Day.


Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, March 3.-The Arlington
Hotel, the temporary home of President
elect Grover Cleveland, was besieged by
crowds to-day. The executive mansion,
which President Harrison is soon TO leave,
was also q center of attraction for curious
thousands. The thronR of visitors to the
White House was drawn there mainly by
the interest of the average tourist to SEQ
the interior of the historic mansion. But,
despite the influx of Democracy into Wash
ington from all parts of the country. tho
crowd included many who sought an op-
portunity to pay personal tribute
of respect and esteem to the
outgoing chief magistrate. As
result President Harrison was kept busy
all day receiving calls from members of
Congress of both parties and from many
personal admirers, who sought and OBJ
tanned the opportunity to shake his hand.
Tue President held no public reception.
however. and the thousands of people who
were'admitted through the main entrance
were allowed only to pass in single file
through the east room and out again. The
parlors of the mansion were barred against
public inspection, In order that they might
be kept in perfect order for the arrival
of Mr.. Cleveland and his family.
The throng which hocked about the
Arlington Hotel to-day was of similar
and yet of o different character TO that
which viewed the White House. Probably
80 per cent. of the men who sent D their
cards TO the magnificent suite erved for
the use of the President-elect were moved
by selfish desire for political benefit rather
N n r. IN
cards were carried to Mr.. Cleveland's door
in overwhelming numbers until noon. At
the same time the ladies' reception room
at the hotel was filed with
women In morning costume, who bom-
barded the bell boys with showers of
their cards for Mrs. Cleveland. Scarcely
half hundred of men were received by
Mr.. Cleveland. while his wife received not
became so great at noon that Private SEQ
retary Thurber announced that the Presi-
dent-elect and Mrs. Cleveland would re-
ceive nc more cards except those of per-
sonal friends.
CLEVELAND AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
It was just 1880 o'clock this morning
when President-elect. Cleveland, accom-
panied by Mr.. Thurber. entered closed
brougham drawn by pair of spirited bays,
and was driven to the White House.
The crowd which had gathered
about the front portco of the
executive mansion greeted his arrival with
q cheer. rs Mr.. Cleveland stepped from
the carriage ne sinilingly raised his hat.
The servaDts of President Harrison's house-
hold, aided by q half-dOzen policemen,
cleared a path way for Mr.. Cleveland from
the portecOchere TO the front door. This
was not only Mr.. ClevelaDd's first visit to
the White House since March 4, 1889, but il
was also the prelude to his triumphal re-
IN Tn lsanI Inra ain lord ,f tl,o
manor for another four years. AS he
stepped across the threshold he
lifted his silk hat. There happened
TO be standing near the door
the old cOlOred servant named Jerry"
whose daily duty has been to hoist the stars
and stripes every morning over the execu-
tive mansion since the days of President
Grant. Mr.. Cleveland beamed upon "Jer-
~" and extendeh his hand. which the aged
negro Rrasped fervently. and spent the rest
of the day in commissions of delight. SO il
was that the first hand which the incoming
Democratic President grasped on entering
the White House was one from which Pres
ident Lincoln had stricken the shackles.
President-elect Cleveland hurried across
the 0orrider and disappeared behind the
glass screen which divides the public
from the private portion of the manson.
The inner door was opened for him by Sar.
geant LRfeler, who has engineered the
avenues of personal approach to Presi-
dents since the days of Lincoln. President
Harrison received his predecessor and sue.
cessor IN the beautiful Blue Room In
which, by the way. President Cleveland
was married. The two men shook hands
cordially, and then sat side By side upon
the sofa. conversn2 with evident cordial
ity. Private Secretary Thurber joined. at
intervals. In their conversation. Mr.. Cleve-
land remained IN the Blue Room for ex-
actly eight minutes. and then, with Mr.
Thurber, returned at once to the Arlin gton.
HARRISON CALLS ON CLEVELAND.
Exactly two hours later, at 1890 p, NJ,
President Harrison. accompanied by Pri-
vate Secretary Halford and by Lieutenant
Parker. entered his family carriage and
drove to the ladies' entrance of the AIRING.
ton. There Mr.. Thurber was waiting to
greet the distinguished visitor. At the
door he received their cards, and at once
escorted them TO the elevator, which, in a
thoroughly tin-de-sIecle fashion, whisked
the party to the second floor and landed
them at the very door of Mr.. Cleveland's
apartment. Mr. Cleveland received the
President his successor and predecessor. at
the entrance. The conversation this time
was of longer duration for it was neces-
sary for Mrs. Cleveland to greet the Presi-
dent as well. AT President Harrson's re-
quest the nurse brought into the reception
room Baby Ruth. who was all smiles and
received with infantile grace the kiss
which Mr. Harrison. with Mrs. Clevelanc's
request, bestowed upon her dim pied cheek.
During the conversation Mr.. Harrison ex-
tended to Mr.. and Mrs. Cleveland an invI-
tation to the private family dinner to-
night. which was accepted. with due
expressions of appreciation of this un-
usual courtesy. Mr.. Harrison assured his
successor, as he had already done
both by correspondence and during their
brief interview at the White House this
morning. that IL every way. both official
and personal. he would be glad TO facilitate
Mr.. Cleveland's entrance OF his executive
duties The interview was an extremely
pleasant one. and lasted for fifteen minutes.
Then President Harrison. Private Secre-
tary Halford and Lieutenant Parker were
taken back in the same nineteenth century
fashion to the ground floor. and were driven
back to the White House.
THE DINNER AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
The hour set for the dinner at the White
House was 7:50 o'clock. but Mr.. and Mrs.
Cleveland were delayed in their departure.
and did not leave the Arlington until tive
minutes after that hour. At 7:30 not more
than ten people were gathered about the
carriage entrance TO the Arlington. drawn
there by a suspicion that the President.
elect and his wife would appear. few
minutes later the Kings County Demo-
Clancy and ex-Congressman Archie Bliss
conspicuous in the lead in the column,
came along the plaza in front of the
hotel the band rendering the "Bowery'