Birmingham age-herald., 1895-01-02
New Years Day Was Appro-
 priate'y Observed.
THE TIME H0NORHD CUSTOM
Established by George Wash ington Repeated in Great
 Splendor by Cleveland.

WAsHINGToN, Jan. 1.-The president was at home to all the world who chose to visit the White House today, and the off cial family repeated the annual object les son in simplicity and impressiveness of American republican institutions in the United States. Representatives of foreign powers in the splendor of their court dress greeted the president in the names of their respective governments. The army and navy paid their respects to their con- manderin in chief, the members of congress to their executive, federal officials to the head of the government, and the public at large to the chief citizen of the nation.
 In minor details alone did today's re- ception differ from any of its predecessors since General Washington, the first presi- dent, officially inaugurated the national ceremony in New York city 104 years ago. The old duties and customs pleased him that he inquired whether it was an estat- lished or casual one, and on bein informed that the day was always hnnored n New York he exclaimed: "Whalever changes take place, never forget this cordial and cheerful, observance of New Years Day.' No day is so notable in Washington city. Immediately following he presidents reception the secretary of state entertained the diplomatic corps at breakfast, the sec retary of war received the army, the secre-
 
 navy, and until night official visiting around throughout the capital was the order.
 The interior of the White House was decorated today very much as it is usually upon an occasion or official functions, with masses of palms, ferns and other potted plants about the parlors, flowers on the man els and curtains of smiiax before the mirrors. The oval blue room, where the receiving party stood, was profusely adorned, and all the rooms were iiumi- Eated wholly by electroliers.
 The weather was clear and bright, with brilliant sunshine. The approaches 10 the executive mansion were occupied by double columns of army and navy officers, stretching away from the portico beyond the gates. The red tasseIed helmets of the military, yellow of tue cavalry, white of the infantry and black plumed chapeaus of the navy showed distinctly above the sea of dark blue uniforms resplendent with gold trimmings, while beneath the great portico carriages rapidly deposited the brilliantly attlred meml CTS of the diplo- matic corps, ana along the avenue extend ing down the side streets stood long lioes of organ nzations and private citi4 s&S await ing their turn to shake hands With the president. Crowding into the last inch of remaining space within sight of the White House were thousands who had been at- tracted by the gay scene.
 Promptly at Il o'clock the marine band, stationed in the main corridors, burst forth with tHaii to the Chief'' the re- ceiving party descended the broad stairway from the private apartments and took their places in ihe blue room, the president be- ing nearest the red room door, through which the guests entered. At his right stood Mrs. Cleveland, and beyond ill the line Were Mrs. Gresham, Mrs. Carlisle, Mrs. Lamont, Mrs Oney, Mrs. BIsseil, Miss Herbert and Miss Morton. Mrs. sttvenson was in North Carolina with the vice-president, at the bedside of their in raIl fn1f rIt tfar md Atrt. ,Ln tt I, ill. Back of the receiving line were in- V ted guests of Mrs. Cleveland.
 The invited guests of Mrs. Cleveland were Mrs. Perrin, Mrs. Cleveland's justice; Mrs. Sehotieiu. wife of the general commanding the arny; Mrs. Casey, wife of the army engineer; Mrs. Ihurter, wife of the presidents private secretary; Mrs. MeAdoo, wife of the assistant secretary of the navy; Mrs. Walker, wife of Admiral Walker; Mrs. Chadwick, wife of the chef Of the naval equipment; Mrs. Haywood, wife of ihe commandant of the marine corps; Mrs. Sherman, Mrs. Palmer. Mrs. McPherson, wives of the senators; Mrs. Cri-p and Miss Berta Crisp, wife and daughter of the speaker of the house; Miss Inez Velaer, Mrs. Cockran, Mrs. Strauss, Mrs; Catchings. Mrs. Dan- ieis and Mrs. Hendrix. wives Of the repre- ators; Mrs. Maxwell, wife oI the assistant postmaster. general; Mrs. Eekel, wife of the comptroller of the cur rency; Miss Curtis and the Misses Hamlin, sisters of The assistant secretaries of the treasury; Mrs. Uhl, wife of the assistant secretary of state; Miss Kennedy, Miss Mabel Johnson, Miss Mamie Letter, Mrs. W. K. Carlisle, Mrs. Bradber Miss Queen and Miss Helm.
 Col. John M. Wilson, corps of engineers, United States army, assisted by Lieut.. J. c. Gilmore, Fourth artillery, made the presentations.
 At Il o'clock the mem bers of the cabinet were received. These were followed by members of the United States supreme court, court of claims, court of appeals, supreme court Of the District of Coiulnbi senators, repro sentaiives, commissioners of the District of Columbia, ex- members of the cabinet, ex ministers of the United States, officers of the army, navy and ma rine corps.
 At F noon the regents and secretary of ihe Smithsonian institute, civil service commissioners, interstate commerce com mission, assistant secretaries of depart ments and other officials were received Al l2:15 p. m. the Associated Veterans of the War of 1S46, Grand Army of the Re- public, Loyal Legion, Union Veteran Le- zion aud members of the Oldest Inhabi- tants' Association of tho District Of Colum- bia came.
 Secretaries Herbert, Hoke Smith and Morton led the procession past the presi- dent, Secretary Gresham remaining to as- sist in announcing the names of the diplo- mats, aided by Assistant Secretaries Uhl, Rockhill and Adee.
 There were over 1O0 members of the 2ipIo- matic corps present ia the full court dress - of their respective countries. They stayed only long enough to pay proper respect to the chief executive, and then departed for the diplomatic breakfast with Secretary Gresham.
 The justices of tho supreme court, with M. exception of Justice Jackson, who is
 lhY. .reason Of sickness, were in full
 rnniad> hy ladies' Justice
 to the bench,
 Apoorly repre-
 srs being at
 The sombre
 kye way 10