The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-01-02
THE NEW YEAR. 6
Cleveland at the Head of
the Line.
. WHITE HOUSE" RECEPTION.
Mrs. cIevella.nrd's First Appear.
aflce Since Esther Game.
WHITE HOUSE RECEPTION.
SHE WAS BEAUTIFULLY GoWNED
in official Life Only is Kept Up the
oId-Time Custom of Having.
..... ..; II IL. Open House. ....:: -

WASHINGTON. Jan. 1.-THE new year
opened bright and crisp. The day was
more generally observed here than. in
most cities, for while the custom of re-
ceIVing New Years calls. is. falling into
neglect among the more fashionable set
official society continues to observe 1t.
These receptions, however. do not begin,
till the afternoon, and the event Of the
morning and the early afternoon was the
reception at the White House. -" b.
The executive mansion was tastefully
although not elaborately decorated for the
occasion with wreathS of smflax twined
about the chandeliers, and pOtted foliage
and Towering plants were suitably disposed
about the blue room, from which daylight
was excluded, and blaze of light from
the great crystal chandelier took its place
This room was more elaborateiY decorated
than the rest of the house, being bright
ened with palms, tropical plants. Chinese
primroses, roses. lilacs, carna tions, tulips
and white hyacinths.
At IL A. NJ. the President received the
Vice-President, the members Of the Cabi-
net and the diplomatic corps; at 11:15 the
Judges of the various courts, led by the
Justices of the Supreme Court; at II :25
members Of Congress, ex-members of the
Cabinet and ex- United States Ministers
a II 40 the officers Of the army and navy :;
at noon the Regents of the Smithsonian
Institution, Civil Service Commissioners.
the Interstate Commerce Commission aud
the heads Of departments and bureaus; at
u ;15 veterans of the wars. and from-12 ;35
10 P. NJ. citizens generally
n mi m u n EunY n
evidently of unsOuHd mind. appeared and
announced that she had come 10 take pos
session. She was politely shown by an
usher through the lower floors, then
quietly escorted away by a policeman.
AS the hour for beginning the reception
drew near there was a taugle of hand some
carriages drawing up TO the marble porti-
co, manv of them belonging to foreign
diplomats having beraldic insignia.
Promptly at Il the Marine band struck up
"Hail 10 the Chief" and the receiving
party came Down themaja stairway 60 the
blue room. The President led with Mrs.
Cleveland on his arm. This vas her first
public appearance since the birth of little
Esther, and she was the center of all eyes
as she came down bo wing and smiling.
The President was attired<in the conven-
tional black, with a Prince Albert coat
Mrs. Cleveland 'shair was brush ed up and
back as usual, and her high neck gown
was almost entirely free from jewels, the
1eweed combin her hair being the only
noticeable ornament .-
Following the Presidential couple came
Vice-President and Mrs. Stevenson, Secre-
tary and Mrs: Gresham. Secretary and
Mrs. Carlisle, Secretary and Mrs. Lamont.
Attorney General and Mrs. Oluey, Post
master-General and Mrs Bssell, Secretary
Herbert and Miss Herbert. Secretary Hoke
Smith and Miss Smith and Secretary and.
Mrs. Morton. ..
Inside the blue room the President stood
stthe head of the receiving line, giving
each caller a hearty handshake and a
Happy New Year" Next to him stood
Mrs. Cleveland and then the ladies' of the
Cabinet Back of the line. but taking no
direct part in the reception beyond furnish
ing an effective and fetching background,
stood two or three score ladies and young
girls, official and personal friends of Mr. 6
Cleveland and the ladies of the Cabinet.
r. The gowns worn were exceedingly hand.
some Mrs. Cleveland never looked hand
somer than in a dress Of vivid IN agen ia
mojre with bodice Of Irish point finished
with az artistic mass of chiffon at the
front The skirt was entirely without
trimmings, ana her hair was done in
simple knot at the back of the head. She
carried no flowers. ....>.: ..:.. -.
Ars. Stevenson wore a gown OF hello
trope velvet, the skirt plain. and with a
jacket of heavy MORE of the same shade
edged with feille chiffon. :~-
Miss Mary Stevenson was attired iu lilac
silk with puffed satin sleeves of the same
shade. ~: .''*..-
Miss Letitia Stevenson was In a girlfsh
gown OF white accordion plated chiffon
over white silk finished with satin ribbons.
Mrs. Gresham wore splendid reception
gown of blue velvet en- ,traine. finished
with gold and heavily trimmed with point
lace, the sleeves full ana the skirt
elaborately trimmed with. Ienetbwfse
bands of lace. ..-.>
Mrs. Stevenson and the ladies of The
Cabinet generally held receptions at their
homes during the afternoon, at which
greetings were exchang ged with many call
ers. Mrs. Stevenson's parlors at the Nor.
mandie were prettily decorated with palms
and flowers, Those assisting included
Mrs. Crisp, Mrs. Blackburn, Mrs Cullom,
Mrs. Palmer, Mrs. Lindsay, Mrs. Springer.
Mrs Funk. Mrs. Judge Weldon, Mrs.
John c. Black, Mrs. Frank B. Vrooman,
Mrs George Vending, Miss Winston,
MISS Carr OF Durham, Y. c., the Misses
scott and the Misses SteVenson