Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1894-01-01

NEVER LOOKED PRETTIER
MRS. CLEVELAND RECEIVES
At THE WHITE HOUSE.

Accompanied Nv Grover Ana All
The Rest Looking Men And wo-
men In washinRion-The Dress.
es And Decorations.
WASHINGTON. Jan. New Years day
opened bright and clear, with more snap
and crispness in the air than during all
the holiday week. The day is more gen.
orally observed here than in most cities
and while the custom of keeping open
house is falling into disuse, in many
homes parties we're made up to receive
all callers. These receptions, however,
do not begin until the afternoon and
evening.
In the early afternoon occurred the
Presidents reception at the White House.
The executive mansion has been made
especially attractive for the occasion.
The floral decorations were tasteful. but
not elaborate. Festoons of smilax were
everywhere in elaborate profusion, from
the friczes of the walls. from gas and
electric light fixtures and in the window
embrasure. In the state dining room
potted palms were placed. In the red
room row OF Chinese primroses stood
on the mantelpiece fanked and backed
BY green plants. Palms were clustered
before the fireplace and in the corners Of
the room.
The Blue room, in which the President
and receiving party stood, showed the
brightest flower effects. The daylight
was wholly shut out of this room and
the great chandelier, with its glittering
crystal pendants, was allablaze. Before
the windows, to the southwark, were
drooped palms and plants. gorgeous
scarlet leaves Of the Christmas plants
being the conspicuous feature. On the
mantlepieces to the westward we're
Chinese primroses again. The shelf on
the other side of the room was q tank
of bright flowers, roses, lilacs, carna-
tions, tulips and white hyacinths. The
east room decorations were confined to
greens, with few Chinese primroses
peeping from recesses here and there.
Just before the reception began and
while the carriages Of the members oi
the diplomatic corps were arriving at
the entrance to the mansion, an old
woman appeared and created scene.
The President, she said, owed her bill
and she wanted the money right away;
she would take possession of the White
House and stay there until Cleveland
opened his purse. 1t was case of no
pay no go. A statement of the fact that
today was q legal holiday in the District
of Columbia, AMI that no debt could be
!. legally collected until tomorrow had nc
effect on the old woman, but physical
force and some strong moral persuasion
induced her to 80 to the police station
The receiving party stood in the blue
room, an oval shaped apartment taste
fully and elegantly decorated. A few
minutes after l 1 o'clock, while the mem
bers of the diplomatic corps were arrang.
ing themselves for saying "a Happy
New Year" the Marine band. stationed
in the public lobby, struck up the usua
Hail to the Chief" The people who
crowded the big wide hallway which
separates the public from the private
part of the mansion knew what tina,
meant, aud all eyes turned to the ole
fashioned quaint looking staircase al
the end of the corridor. In minute
there was flutter OF woman's skirt
seen in the turn of the staircase and g
whispered here they come" announced
the appearance of the receiving party.
Col. John NJ. Wilson and Capt. Pitcher
of the army, both fine looking men
headed the line. They we're in full uni
form. Immediately behind them came
the President with Mrs. Cleveland on hi!
arm. The Vice.Presideut and Mrs
Stevenson followed, and then came th'
cabinet officers and their wives, Will
Secretary and Mrs. Gresham leading.
In the blue room there was bevy o
: matrons and young girls to whom th
honor of standing behind the line" hat
been accorded. President Cleveland
Mrs. Stevenson and the ladies ofthe fam
. lilies OF members OF the cabinet, forme.
. themselves in line and the reception be
gan.
Mrs. Cleveland never looked bette
than in her reception gown of vived ma
SSuI q iuOhS Will a buuiCC VI IL lSu poIut
!, finished with an artistic mass Of chiffo
at the front Of the bodice. The skir
was entirely without trimming. Sh
wore her hair parted in front and draw
back at each side into simple knot a
I the back of the head, which was fastene
by a gold comb. No flowers were cal
ried. Mrs. Hoke Smith wore gray sill
bodice and sleeves Of spangled sunse
velvet.
At II a. IN. the Vice.P President, men
, bers of the cabinet and the diplomat
corps were received. They were followe
by the Chief Justice, the associated ju!
tices Of the Supreme court of the Unite
States, the judges of the United State
court Of claims, the judges of the court {
appeals and the judges Of the Suprem
court of the District of Columbia, sen;
tors, representatives and delegates
Congress, commissioners Of the Distrit
Of Columbia and judicial officers OF tt
District, cx-members OF the cabinet an
ex- ministers of the United States, Officer
Of the army, navy and marine corps, tt
~ Associated veterans of the war OF 1S4'
the Grand Army Of Republic, Loyal L
gion and members Of the Oldest Inhab
tants of the District Of Columbia.
At 1895 the reception to the gener,
public began and was continued until
p. m. The crowd was 80 large thu
when the doors were closed there was
long line Of persons standing in front
the White House who had been uuab
to gain admission.
NOVEL CARIsTMAS GIFT.