The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-01-02

WASHINGTON, Jan. l.
GPHE official season in Washington
hegan to day with the regular
New Years reception at the
u White house, the first held in


GPHE official season in Washington
hegan to day with the regular
New Years reception at the
u White house, the first held in
two years. A year ago to-day the
presidential household was in monrn-
ing for the death of Mrs. Harri son and
official social functions were generally
suspended. There was nothing in to-
days reception that differed materially
from those of former years
The members Of the diplomatic
corps were there puuctilious as usual,
in coats of divers colors hut ali trim
med with gold lace. The officers of the
army and navy also lent brightness to
the scene by their uniforms, simpler
and palmer than those of the diplo-
matte diguitaries. but nevertheless i'm
posing. Just before the reception be.
gan and while the carriages of mem
berS of the diplomatic corps were ar.
irving at the entrance to tho mansion
an old woman appeared and crsa ted u
scene. The president, she said, owed
her a bill and she wanted the money
right away. She would take possession
of ths White house and stay there until
Mr.. Cleveland opened his purse.
HOW THE PUBLIC WAS RECEIVED.
The receiving party stood in the blue
room which was tastefully and ele-
gantly decorated. This room was Mrs,
Harrison's pride. as the red room, re-
Gently decorated is Mrs Cleveland's.
The receiving party consisted of the
President and Mrs Cleveland, the Vice
President and Mrs. Stevenson. Mrs.
Gresham Mrs. Carlisle, Mrs. La
mont. Mrs Olney, Mrs. Bissell,
Miss Herbert, Mrs. Smith, Miss
Morton. while behind the line were
the wives OF Chief Jus ice Fuller, Gem
eral Schofield, Colonel John NJ Will
son. Assistant Secretary McAloo. Com
modore Ramsv, Commodore Chad
wick, Colonel Heygood, Senator's Cor,
man Gray, Frye. Brice, Gordon, Man.
derson and Sherman, Speaker Crisp.
Representatives w. L Wilson. Sayers,
Burrows. Cultivate. Private Secretary
Thurber.
While the diplomatic corps had been
passing and the band played patriotic
airs, people were for ming in line out
side the mansion for the beginning of
Tue public reception. By noon, the
line. two deep, extended from the white
house portico down tho west driveway
to the west gate and eastward along
Pennsylvania avenue nearly to the
treasury department. The day was
chilly and a cool wind was blowing, but
it was not unpleasant and people bore
the long wait before the head of thu
line began to move with good nature
GREATER NUMBERS THAN BEFORE.
About this time tho fact began t.
impress itself on the attendants of tht
white house that the people who at
tended the reception were in great Of
number than on New Years day fol
many years past. All the receiving
party with the exception of the presi
dent and Mrs. Cleveland withdrew
from the blue room after the officia
contingent had passed and left these
two to greet the hundreds formed IN
double file outside the mansion.
1t soon became evident that the
crowd was too large to be disposed o
by 2 o'clock, the hour for the reception
to end. AT that hour the police closed
the gates, leaving fully u thousand
outside, but Private Secretary Thurbel
had them opened again. Mrs Cleve
land began to show signs OF fatigu,
before the line was half through, bu
she bore up well, striving to repress tn
signs of physical suffering on her face.
1t was nearly 3 o'clock when the last
of the general public shook hands will
Mr.. and Mrs Cleveland, and the New
Year reception of 1894 ended.