The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-01-01
HANDSPRING.
A New Years Reception Makes
the President Tired.
But He Has To Stand 1t For
Customs Sake.
STANDING IN LINE
People Who Are Anxious to
Grasp His Hand.

The New Years reception at the White
House starta up another social season in
the national capital. New Years is a great
day ia Washington. For the first time
since the winter of 1850 the common PEG
PIE will have chance to shake Mr.. Cleve-
land by the hand. Twice year during a
Presidents term Of Office the masses have
an opportunity to get at him. These oc-
easlons are the New Years day reception
and the public levee. Tradition has or
dained that a president shall in this man
ner th row open his doors and bid whose
ever viii to come. As may be imagined.
the people need no urging. They arrive
at the White House early in the morning
and stay as long as they have to, which
usually is long time. The crowd is 20
vast and the line OF handshakers SO slow
in it's movement that hours are required
to sswork off, the whole sse1nblace.
There is always a great deal Of natural and
pardonable curiosity to see real live pres
ident Of the United States, to shake his
hand and look him in the eye. This year
proves no exception to the rule. In fact.
the curiosity is greater than usual for
nearly every one desires to see how the
president looks after all these stories about
his failing health, and also to have a look
at Mrs. Cleveland, now that she has be-
come a sober matron. The women natu-
rally wish to see what changes time has
wrought in her and to compare the mother
of two fine girls to the bride of the White
House
Besides, there are the wives of the cabi-
net ministers, who always assist the pres
ident and the mistress of the executive
mansion at their task Mrs. Carlisle Mrs
Lamont and Mrs. Gresham are known here
Of old, the last named having been in So
ciety and assisted ait White House func-
B4sc "a
general in the Arthur administration
Mrs. OIney, Mrs. Bissen and Mrs. Smith
are newcomers, and the masses of people,
who have been reading SO much in the
newspapers a bout these great ladies. come
in droves to improve their only oppOrtuni-
ty to see them in full evening costume
a Curiosity Satisfied.
1T IS not to be wondered at that we have
big crowds at these White House receD-
tions- The curiosity to see famous people
is universal trait of human nature. 1t
is by no means confined to people who are
not in society. Half the social activity of
the capital IS based on what might be call
ed tuft hunting@the desire to meet great
men and women, to have one s name print
ed side by side with theirs in the society
columns of the newspapers The motive
that actuates the fine gentlemen and ladies
who drive I'd the White House in their car
riages on the occasion OF card receptions is
the same that moves the thousands who
cannot afford carriages on New y ears day
and the evening of the pa blic levee.
As early $3.50 20 O. clock in the
morning people begin arriving at the White
House They knew very well that the
doors VIII not be opened until noon. and
that they VIII have to stand ia line all hat
time But between arriving at and Sc
curing front place ana being promptly
admitted 70 the great house and the pres
euce Of its great master and arriving at
~ only 70 stand two or three hours in line,