Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-04

The Last Hours of the Old Administration

The Last Hours of the Old Administration.
The President and his clerks were up nearly
all night acting bills as they arrived from
the Capitol. The President had only four hours
rest and some had even less than that
The members of the cabinet began TO assem-
BILE at the White House shortly after 20 o'clock.
Secretary Rusk was the first arrival.
few minutes later came Secretary Tracy
with Secretary-elect Herbert. whom he intro
duced 10 the President. While they were con-
versin2 the trio was Joined by Attorney Gem
! eral Miller. He was followed successivelv by
Secretary Noble. Secretary Elkins. Secretary
Charles Foster, Postmaster General Wanamaker
and Acting Secretary Wharton of the State De-
partment. In the meanwhile Secretary-elect
Herbert had taken his departure and Secretary
elect Carlisle joined the group in the cabinet
room.
The next arrivals were Gen. Schofield and
aid. Lieut.. Schotied, aud Rear Admiral Che
rardi and aid, Lieut.. Hunt. ali of whom were in
full-dress uniform. They remained down stairs
in the vestibule with a score of newspaper men,
awaiting the arrival of the President-elect.
About 10 so o'clock the Presidents carriage,
which was to convey Mr.. Cleveland to and from
the Capitol, entered the grounds and took
station under the port cochere.
THE PRESIDENTIAL EQUIPAGE
Mr.. Harrison has no reason to feel ashamed
of the equipage he provided for today's cere-
finest make. vanished in black with deep green
stripes and drawn by four blooded
bays, seventeen hands high and perfectly
matched. The harness and trappings were
black with silver mountings. His own driver.
William Willis, an expert whip, handled the
ribbons and had with him on the box
footman Harry Green. Both colored
men aud adopts in their peculiar
lines. They wore mourning livery out of
respect to the recent bereavements Of Gen.
Harrison. Their long frock coats were of the
deepest black, and their high beaver hats were
bound with crepe. Notwithstanding these
| emblems of sorrow the general appear
ance OF the equipage suffered moth
ing whatever in comparison with those
employed heretofore on similar occasions. In
the words of a veteran in such affairs, 1T was
the best four-in-hand that ever left the White
House, not excepting Gen. Grants horses
those CT any of his Successors"
COMMISSIONER PARKER's DUTY.
To District Commissioner Parker was assigned
the special duty of representing the grand mar
shai in the drive to the Capitol and remained with
the carriage from the time it left the stable
until it discharged its precious burden
at the White House on the return
from the Capitol. He well mounted and
presented a fin, military appearance notwith-
standing his civilian dress. His snow-covered
high hat and his long black overcoat and white
gloves contributed to this effect.
He sat his horse like a statue, and his tall and
erect form made him an ideal guardsman.
Mr. cLEyELANDs ARRIVAL
There was some delay in the arrival of the
President-elect He was expected to join the
President at the White House at 1920 o'cIo ock.
but il was IL clock when his carriage entered
the grounds and drove under the port cochere
A number Of men had been engaged for half
an hour in sweeping the snow and sleet of the
portico, and they had it comparatively clean
when the time came. Simultaneous with the
arrival Of the President-elect servant rushed
out on the portico and spread a carpet from
the driveway to the main entrance
Mr.. Cleveland was accompanied by Senators
Teller and Ransom and Mr. Stevenson BY Sem
ator Mcpherson Of the special Senate commit
tee. They were both in closed carriages and
could not be seen very well they passed
through the crowd around the gateway
There was no special ceremony st the White
House. President Harrison and his cabinet re-
ceived the President-elect. the Vice President
elect and the Senate committee in the blue
parlor. As he passed through the main vesti-
bule to join the presidential party Mr.. Cleve-
land stopped for q minute and shook hands
with Gen Schoheld and Admiral Gberardi.