Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-12-27
Special Correspondence of the Register.

Special Correspondence of the Register
Washington, December 24.-The
public reception given by the Presi-
dent of the United States on the LIST
of January is a survival OF the Old-fash-
toned custom Of receiving on New
Years day. It's about all that is lett
of that custom, for nowhere else IN
the country is the first day of the year
celebrated as a day for making and re-
eciving social visits as It is in WASH
ington. Here, however, the custom Is
confined 10 the people in official cir
cles. and New Years day becomes the
occasion for the people in official life
and the great public as well to call on
the PrcsideRt and wish him many hap
Nv returns Of the day. The custom
seems now likely to he permanent.
But some day a vandal President may
overturn even this colonial relic, and
the 1st of January may be as quiet ans
uneventful at the capital as it is in
New York.
The White House reception on New
Years day is an odd survival anyway.
No official of the government else
where. no governor OF a State or mayor
Of a large city. feels it necessary to hold
a public reception on the first day OF
the year. If Washington had not been
so near the South, it is doubtful If the
custom would have survived here so
long as it has. The social life of the
capital takes much Of its character
from the custom of the South.
The White House reception, however
serves a useful purpose. 1t gives an
opportunity to the representatives Of
the nations of the world to pay their
RESPECTS formally to the executive rep
resentative of the United States. 1t
gives occasion for the legislative and
judicial branches Of the government
through their representatives to meet
socially and to shake hands at the Off
cial home Of the head of the executive
branch of the government, and finally
If gives the public a chance to see the
White House IN its glory and to shake
hands with the President That the
pUblic is anxious to avail itself OF this
opportunity is shown by the long line
which stands on Pennsylvania avenue
on the day of reception waiting for
hours. often in snow or rain, for the
doors of the executive mansion to
be thrown open to the public.
THEPEOPLE AND THE PRESIDENT
The people Of the United States,
whether they live at Washington or
have homes in other parts of the coun-
try. have a strong feeling that the
property Of the government is their
property. They have paid taxes, and
with their money have been bought
/ the great capitol at Washington, the
/ executive mansion. the department
/ buildings and all the other properties
necessary to carry on the business OF
J government. Even the President OF
p the United States. created by their sui
| Traces. is their own. And in the case
of Mrs. Cleveland the people have an
idea that the Presidents wife is n
+ some degree public property. For thii
reason the capitol is thrown open, anc
all Of the department buildings, so far
as is consistent with the performance
of public functions, are kept open tc
the sightseers all through the year
+ The government even provides guides
who show the visitor, without charge
much that is curious and entertaining
in the vaults Of the treasury OF in th'
bureau of engraving and printing oil
in the executive mansion. But will
the SHOW places" of the Presldent'i
house alone the public IS not satisfied
Reading In the daily newspapers de
scriptions of the gorgeousness Of the
White House on the occasion Of forma
receptions. it demands that q sight o
this. too. be given to it. And so two
occasions are created in the social sea
son when the public is free to the Pres
ident's house.
One Of these is the reception on New
Years day, when the parlors are shu
of from the light of day and the cleo
tric suns send their soft glow over ex
ouisite floral decorations, fine hang
inEs. rich upholstery and beautiful!
gowned women while the famous Ma
rine band plays in the ante-room' ant