The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-01-02

Washington, D. c., 11.-New Years
opened bright and crisp. The day was
more generally observed here than in
most cities. While the custom of re-
ceiving New Years calls is falling into
neglect among the more fashionable
set, official society continues to OBJ
serve it. 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. The executive mansion
was tastefully. but not deliberately.
decorated for the occasion with wreaths
of smilax twined about the chandeliers
and ported foliage and towering plants
were suitably disposed about the room.
from which daylight was excluded and
a blaze of light from d great crystal
chandelier took it's place.
The room was more deliberately deco
rated than the rest of the house, being
frightened with palms, tropical plants
Chinese primroses, roses, lilacs, carna-
lions, tulips and white hyacinths.
At II a. m. the president received the
vice-president, members of the cabinet
and diplomatic corps; at Ills. the
judges of the various courts, LED by the
justices of the supreme court; at HIS,
members
the cabinet, eX-United States minis
tiers; at II 40, officers of the army and
navy: at noon, the regents Of the Smith
sonian institute, civil service commits
sioners, Interstate commerce commits
sion and heads of the departments and
bureaus; at 1915, veterans Of wars; at
I12:45 to 2, citizens generally.
At 10 o'clock a. mild-mannered woman
evidently Of unsound mind, appeared
and announced she had come to take
possession She was politely shown
by the usher through the lower floors
and then quietly escorted away by a
policeman.
AS the hour for the beginning Of the
reception drew near, there was a tam
gle of handsome carriages drawing up
to the marble portico, many or them
belonging to foreign diplomats having
the heraldic insignia on the boxes.
Promptly at II the Marine band struck
up Hail to the Chief, and the receiv-
ling party came down the main stair
way to the Blue room The president
led with Mrs Cleveland on his arm.
This was her first public appearance
since the birth of little Esther, and she
was the center of all eyes She came
down bowling and smiling The presi-
dent was attired in conventional black
with Prince Albert coat Mrs. Cieve-
lands hair was brushed up and back,
as usual. Her high neck gown was al
(
jeweled comb in her hair was the only
noticeable ornament
| Following the presidential couple
came Vice-President and Mrs Steven
son, Score tary and Mrs. Gresham Sec
rotary and Mrs. Carlisle. Secretary and
Mrs. Lamont, Attorney General and
Mrs. Olney, Postmaster General and
Mrs. BisselI, Secretary and Miss Smith,
| and Secretary and Mrs Morton.
! Inside the Blue Room, the president
stood at the head Of the receiving line.
/ giving each a hearty hand shake and
"a Happy New Year" Next to him
stood Mrs Cleveland and then the Ia
dies of the cabinet. Back of the line,
but taking no direct part in the recep-
ton beyond furnishing an effective and
fetching background, stood two or
three score ladies and young girls, Of
fetal and personal friends of Mrs.
! Cleveland and the ladies of the cabi-
net Their gowns were exceedingly
handsome, and Mrs Cleveland never
looked handsomer than in a dress Of
| vivid magenta MORE with bodice Of
Irish point, finished with an artistic
mass of chiffon at the front The
skirt was entirely without trimmings.
and her hair was done in a. simple knot
on the back of her head. She carried
no flowers.
Mrs. Stevenson wore a gown of hell
otrope velvet, skirt plain, and jacket
of heavy MORE of the same shade,
edged with faille chiffon.
Miss Mary Stevenson was attired in
lilac silk, with puffed satin sleeves Of
1.-THE same shade.
Miss Letitia Stevenson in a girlish
gown of white accordion pleated chiffon
over white silk. finished with satin rib
lions.
Mrs. Gresham wore splendid recep-
ton gown of blue velvet en- traine,
finished with gold and heavily trimmed
with point lace; sleeves full; skirt
deliberately trimmed with lengthwise
bands of lace.
Mrs. Stevenson and the ladies of the
cabinet generally held receptions at
their homes during the afternoon. at
which greetings were exchanged with
many callers. Mrs. Stevenson's par
Tors at the Normandie were prettily
decorated with palms and flowers.
Those assisting were: Mrs. Crisp, Mrs.
Blackburn, Mrs. CulIom, Mrs. Palmer,
Mrs. Lindsay, Mrs. Springer, Mrs.
Funk Mrs George Vending, Mrs
Judge Weldon Mrs. John C.. Black,
Mrs. Frank B. Vrooman, Mrs. Winston,
Miss Carr, of Durham, n. c., the
Misses Scott and Stevenson.