The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1895-01-04
At THE WHITE HOUSE.
The Usual Observance of New Years
Day in officials Circles at
Washington.
THE CLEVELAND RECEPTION
Usual Programme Carried Out in All
the Dttails---Some Smaller
Receptions.
THE CLEVELAND RECEPTION

4
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2.-Probably in no
other city of the country does that Pc
culiarly American custom of exchang-
ing New Years calls continue to flour
ish as i'll the capital of the nation.
Although in other cities the custom has
come to be regarded more in the breach
than in the observance. in Washington
everybody in official life, either receives
or pays calls. The president himself
sets the fashion in this matter, and |
naturally the White House is the focus
of interest on the first day of the New
Year, for there are congregated the
most distinguished persons of the land
day began at ii o'clock, but long before
that time
Great Throng of People,
considering the state of the weather.
had gathered at the entrance to the
White House grounds, to peep into
carriages as they rolled through the
gates, laden with pretty women and
distinguished statesmen, and gor.
geously attired members of the diplo
matte corps. Within the grounds po-
lice We're properly stationed to guide
the visitors and preserve order. The
old White House had been thoroughly
| prepared for the days ceremonies.
| Outside Il canopy had beesl erected for
the protection OF the guests, who cams
in carriages. On the inside, canvass
covers had been laid carefully 4n pre-
vent the soiling of the rich carpets by
| the trampling of thousands OF feet,
which We're to pass over them. AS in
past years, the decorations of the rooms
were all floral. The guests entered at
the main door Of the mansion and
crossing the lobby, passed into the Red
room, where they had an opportunity
of divesting themselves of their wraps
| and coats, before entering the Blue
room, where the receiving party was
stationed. Two heavy couches had
been SO arranged across this room as to
leave a small open space i'll the center,
thus shielding the president, the mis-
tress Of the White House and her SER
wants from the long line of callers.
The Band Played.
The Blue room, always the prettiest
of the White House suite WAS beauti-
fully decorated with flowers, a star
shaped white blossom prevailing in
such profusion as to charmingly sub
due the all prevalent blue tint of the
artificial decorations and furnishings.
Iu the lobby just within the main
doorway was stetioned the full Marine
band, making q gallant show in their
brilliant scarlet uniforms and dis
coursing with splendid effect a spe-
cially arranged programme of artistic
merit
First to arrive at the executive man
sion were the la dies of the cabinet, who
were to assist Mrs. Cleveland in re-
ceiving. They were ushered upstairs
where they removed their wraps. The
reception was to begin at IL O. 'clock, an6
at that hour the president and Mrs
Cleveland, after greeting the cabine
ladies, came down stairs followed by
the latter and other guests who were
" to stand behind the line. The marine
/ band struck up the inaugural march a
! the receiving party proceeded to tn
!. Blue room.
= A number of ladies, including tn
9 wives and daughters of prominent Off
e cials and personal friends Of Mrs. Cleve
+ land had been invited to positions be
t hind the line with the receiving party
: SO that there was a brilliant array O
handsome costumes in the room.
. The programme had been arranged
: as is customary, for the admission O
. the different classes OF officials in tn
IS order of the their rank Usually tn
if vice president is the first to pay hi
h respects to the president, but this yea
n Mr.. Stevenson is south on account 0
% the illness of his daughter. Th
programme arranged for the receptio
fixes the members of the cabinet a
y the first callers and after them cam
d the diplomatic corps in the spectacula
k array Of varied uniforms and decors
1i ations that never fail to appeal to th
Ly Warrington populace on these cere
st monial occasions when glimpse {
this magnifcence of foreign courts
y offered to republican simplicity. A
W theother ladies of the cabinet hel
'g receptions later in the day. u did