The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-01-01
IN GAY GOWNS.
Grand Society Affair at the
White House.
Annual Reception by President
and Mrs. Cleveland.
IA GORGEOUS SIGHT.
The Rooms ElaborateIy Necor-
ated With Flowers.
A Crazy Woman Makes q Sen
sational Scene.

w WAsHTNCTON. D. c., Jan. New
Years opened bright and clear, with
more snap and crispness in the air than
during all of the holiday week.
The society event this morning and
the early afternoon, was the presidential
reception at the White house. The execu-
tive mansion had been made specially at
tractive for the occasion The floral dec
orations were tasteful. but not elaborate.
FestQpns Of smilax were hung every
where in elaborate profusion, from the
friezes, from the walls and from the cleo
trio light fixtures, and in the state dining
room pOtted palms were placed.
In the red room row of Chinese prim-
roses stood on the mantel piece backed
by green plants Palms were clustered
before the fire place and in tke corners
of the room The Ilue room, in which
the president and the receiving party
stood showed the brightest flower effect.
The daylight was wholly shut out of this
room and the great chandelier with its
glittering crystal pendants was all ablaze.
Before the window to the southwark
We're grouped palms and plarts. the gor-
geOus scarlet leaves of the Christmas
plant being conspicuous feature. On
the mantel piece to the westward were
Chinese primroses again.
The shelf on either side Of the room
lilacs, carnations, tulips and white hya-
cinths. The east room decorations We're
confined to greens. with a few Chinese
primroses peeping from recesses here
and there The official programme for
the presidents reception is as follows:
AZ II a n, the president received the
vice president the members Of the cabi-
net and the diplomatic corps.
st 11:15 a. m, the chief justice, the
associate justices Of the supreme court Of
the United States, the judges of the
United States court Of claims, the Judges
of the court Of appeals, and the judges
OF the supreme court Of the District Of
Columbia
At 1925 a. m, senators, representatives
and delegates in congress-, the commits
sioners Of the District OF Columbia and
the judicial officers Of the district, ex-
members Of the cabinet, and ex-minis-
ters Of the United States
At 11:4O a. m. the officers of the army
and the navy and the marine cerps.
AT IL, noon, the regents and the secre-
taTy Of the Smithsonian institute, the
civil service commissioner, the inter-
state commission, the assistant secretarys
Of the departments: the assistant post
master generals, the solicitor generaI,the
assistant attorney generals. the com
missioner Of labor, the heads of bureaus Of
the several departments and the president
Of Columbian institute for the deaf and
dumb.
At 1915 pm, the associate veterans of
the war Of 1916, the G. A. r., the Loyal
Legion, and the members of the oldest
inhabitants association of the District of
Columbi
At 1885 %. m. reception of citizens
which terminated at 2 pm The arrange
ments for the rece ption were interrupted
alto O'cloclxby an untoward incident, which
fortunately occurred at an hour when
it could not mar the reception. A mild
i 4 n
anced mind arrived early at the house,
with the announcement that she was
there to take Fe8ssession- She was po-
litely shown through the lower floors Of
the building by { aptaIn Dexter. the chief
usher. and then quietly escorted away by
a policeman.
AS the hour for beginning the recep-
tiou drew near there was a tangle Of
handsome vehicles drawing up to the
rn arble p0rtico. The crowd on foot was
not large, as the public reception was
tc come later. First came the carriares
heraldic insignia on the boxes, and after
tl.at lines Of carriages bearing Justices Of
the supreme court. senators, representa-
tives and other officials The carriages
were ranged in double rows. extending
the entire sweep Of the White house
driveways.
Promptly at II o'clock the marine band
stationed IN the outer corridor of the
mansion, struck up ~Hail TO the Chiefv
which was the signal for the opening Of
the reception. In another moment the
presidential party appeared at the mid
die landing leading from the private
quarters above 10 the reception rooms be-
low. First came Colonel Wilson and
Captain Pitcher. Z. ;. A, in full uniform.
Then followed President Cleveland
with Mrs Cleveland on his arm The
president wore his conventional garb Of
black, with Prince Albert. There was a
boutonnire in his lapel. Mrs Cleveland
smiled and bowed to those in the double
rows which lined the Railways leading
to the reception room.
Tt was her first public appearance
since the birth of little Esther. and necks
were craned to catch a glimpse of the
popular mistress Of the White house.
Her hair was brushed up and back
in the simple manner remembered IN her
early pictures. Her high neck gown
was almost entirely free from jewels and
the jeweled comb IN her hair was the
only noticeable ornament to her attire.
Following the presidential couple,
came Vice President and Mrs Stevenson,
and Mrs. Gresham, Secretary
and Mrs. Carlisle, Secretary and Mrs.
Lamont, the Attorney General and Mrs.
Olney, the Postmaster General and Mrs.
Bissell, Secretary and Miss Herbert,