St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-01-02
GROWERS GREAT DAY
President and Mrs. Cleveland
Receive a Brilliant
Throng.
NEW YEAR AT WHITE HOUSE
Observed in Manner Which
Has Been the Custom for
Generations.
DIPLOMATES, STATESMEN,
Warriors, 0fneehoIders and
Citizens Shake the EX-
eeutive's Hand.
DIPLOMATES, STATESMEN,

WASHINGTON, Jan. with bright
stars overhead, reasonably clean pave
menls under foot and crisp, clear win
try air, official Washington was fa-
vored with ali the conditions necessary
to the complete enjoyment of such
New Years day as only Washington
knows.
According to the time-honored GUS
tom, which was observed to the letter
today, all the officials called at the
White House, where tney were re-
ceived in the order of their rank, to pay
their respects to the president. All the
cabinet secretaries, generals and ad-
mirals in turn receive the officials of
lesser rank, and many congressman and
others keep open house for their con
Etituents and friends. Society in gen.
eral has in time past given itself over
to the making and receiving of formal
calls, but in Washington, as in other
cities, the observance of the first of
january as a social day has come to be
disregarded, and there were probably
fewer open houses today than ever be-
fore. Tie people who did not take
part in the oId-faShioned observance
today had fine opportunities, however,
to observe those who did. When
WashingtonIan desires to make an un-
pleasant comparison in the matter Of
weather. he customariiy speaks of New
Years day. but the year of 1895 vio-
lated the tradition utterly and fur.
nished the finest sport of a show day.
All the Rriiiiancy
and interest of the day we're for three
hours sheltered under the roof of the
executive mansion, where the gas light
In the ceremonial parlors fell On banks
of palms and troops of richly attired
ladies and many notable men. Apart
from the interest which always attaches
10 the president and family. Mrs. Cleve-
land has personal popularity which
draws many to ner receptions. Today
she shook hands with every man, woman
and child who filed past III the long
procession of three hours and gave to
The greeting a warmth which gained for
her the everlasting friendship of the
recipient The president also grasped
every caller by the hand, and had
word for every one when there was
time. The irrepIessible yOungster was
in line, az usual, and one of them today
voiced his enthusiasm appropriately, as
he thought, by shouting shrilly: "Hur-
rah for Grover" as he walked into the
blue room. One old man, walking on
crutches, seemed tired when he came
in, and Mrs. Cleveland, noticing him, led
him 10 a chair among The cabinet ladies
and urged hin TO rest, and so he sat in
the parlor for half an hour watching
the procession.
The Man With Wheels
in his head. who has been personally
commissioned by the Lord to do some
thing ridiculous or dangerous is the ter
TOr Of these occasions. He was on hand
today. Very appropriately he wore
long hair, and after he had passed the
police he drew from his pocket docu-
ment bearing weird symbolic designs in
red and blue. but the appearance of the
receiving party seemed TO dazzle him so
that he merely shutt1ed past without
putting 1t to any use. The policemen
who eudeavOr to do their duty in COM
pelling the observance of regulations,
and apprehends some high dignitary of
the government in his misguided zeal, is
always in evidence. Today he endeav-
ored to bar Secretary Lamont from the
blue room, but readily yielded his point
when the secretary good -naturedly re-
Yealed his Identity. There were no ac-
cidents, however, and no unpleasant ill.,
cidents, andithe reception was a success,
although not so many people attended
as came last year.
The old White house had been thor
Oughly prepared for the days ceremon-
les. Outside canopy had been erected
for the protection of the guests who
came in carriages. On the inside can
vass covers had been laid carefully to
prevent the soiling of the rich carpet by
the
Tramping OF Thousands of Feet
which were to pass over them. As In
past years, the decorations of the rooms
were ali floral, but there was a notice
Rble difference from the plan of last
year in the greenness Of potted plants
and palms IN place of the great banks
of cut flowers. Consequently there was
something lacking i'll color, but from an
artistic point of view this was more
than compensated for by the beauty OF
the growing plants, neatly arranged in
pure white jardinieres of basketwork
design. The guests entered a. the
main door of the mansion, and, crossing
the lobby, passed into the red room,
where they had an opportunity of di-
veSting themselves of their wraps and
coats before entering the blue room
where the receiving party was sta>
toned. Two heavy cOuches had been
so arranged across this room as to leave
q small open space in the center, thus
shielding the president, the mistress of
the White house and her servents,
from the long line of call
err. The blue room, ALWAYS
the plettiest of the Whit house suite
was beautifully decorated with flowers.
a star-shaped white blossom prevailing
In such profusiOn as to charmingly sub.
due the alI~preyalent blue tint of the
artificial decorations and furnishings.
In the lobby, just within the main door,
way, was stationed the full Marine
band, making gallant show in their
brilliant scarlet uniforms, and dis
loursing with splendid effect specially
Eranged programme of artistic merit.