New-York tribune., 1896-01-02
WHITE HOUSE RECEPTION.
A HOST OF CALLERS on THE PRESIDENT
AND MRS CLEVELAND.
FOREIGN DIPLOMATS IN THEIR UNIFORMS
MAKE A BRILLIANT sCENE-JUsTGCEs
SENATORS CONGREsSMEN. THE ARMY
AND NAVY AND THE PEOPLE

lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

air. a brilliant company within the White House,
many faces. not many familiar ones pctur-
esque figures from the Old World. music and laugh
ter freshenng touches of furniture helped out with
palms and blossoms, and. withal. the same forms
and ceremonies-woud in the fewest words, tell the
story OF President Ceveand's New Year reception
OF 1896. The story is always new. The pageant
though nearly century old was as fresh in interest
to-day as ever. The whrligg Of time and politics
presented new cast. and personal interest in recent
incidents gave new stimulus to the picture
No matter what fad and fashion bring elsewhere.
the White House holds its with few changes.
II is some times trfe shabby. but nevertheless
beautiful and to the people always the dear old
White House. Apparently the one absolutely new
thing about II to-day the door between
the Blue and Rcd Rooms. giving exit behind the
receiving line through to the State dining room.
which al receptions is used for wraps. The new
door seemed much matter Of course in It's
convenience that everybody wondered why it had
not been thought of long ago. Another plea asant
feature sufficiently novel 10 be commented on and
commended the largo number OF ll-mannercd
policemen. outside and in who TO a man were polite,
and therefore more efficient This and tho perfect
arrangements for the comfort and enjoyment OF the
people left nothing to be desired. The floral dccora-
tons were most effective. showing a wealth of
tropical foliage. cameies, roses. hyacinths carna-
tons lilies and bright rcd poinsettas throughout the
rooms and corridors. and the mansion never looked
more attractive.
reception in the White House January J. 1901. 1t
was called a '.evee." ard the difficulties with which
IL beset only overcome by Mrs. Adamss
rare tac and remarkable executive ability. The
White House was unfinished. ard, in fact. II was
only November 20. less than TWO months before,
that President Adamss message TO Congress seemed
determine definitely that the National capital.
for all time TO come. would remain in the city Of
Washington. While the seat Of Government was
in New-York President Washington had established
'ievees" ana they were continued in Phila aielphia.
They could not be set aside in the new capital not
wiihsandlng the impracticability of such cere-
monous affairs with the White House unfinished
and everything in chaos. According to Mrs Adams.
the two articles they were much distressed for"
bells and wood-the latter being the more i'm
portant. twelve fires were constantly required
and there but cord and a half of wood" the
res; having been burnt up to dry tho walls Of the
house" But. with all the discouragemens and dis
comforts presented hy unfinished rooms. lack ~ bells
and scarcity OF fuel the most serious draw back.
would he in the present day H. brought out by Mrs
Adamss statement that "the vcss. which had my
clothes had not arrived. the ladies inpatient
for drawine-room have no looking glasses but
Gwarfs for this house and not twentieth part
lamps enough 10 light IT," A. the East Room. then
the great unnniehed audience room not 70
be thought OF ana the entire first Goor much
out Of the question. the oval room on the second
floor. for many years past the library was used
for the first White House "levee" In this room
Mrs. Adams defty arranged the sparse furniture
and with true New England knack pa; the best foot
forward that none but the initiated knew II the
planning and anxious hours spent over the affair
The simplicity au1 dignity then inauguraicd AZ
the "Rerubican court" bv President and MI
\ !ams come down through niu,fv-ny year,
Each New Years reception. in turn. -, b. more
and more a brilliant pageant. bat H. is marked by
the same simplicity and dignity. though the "He-
publican Court" to-day represents great and pow
erful nation OF seventy millions of people To thr
representatives Of Old World monar-aios Ne,r
Years Day AT the White House is a stuly. lnpf.
sve and not easily analyzel. In No other coIn-
Try the earth Is such picture to b. seen 10 40
other country such conditions possible $ ~
Is on New Years Day that the diplomats AZ Wash
ngtOn. however they may regard other functions.
pleased don their gorgeous uniforms nnd
jcwellel orders and. with promptress not mani
fest on any other occasion. 60 TO the White hous"
TO pay their respects the President o. tn" United
States 1t was remarked significant to-day that
the first to arrive a the White House this morn
ing Were the members Of the Russian Legation
the Chargs d'Anarcs and secretnries. the new Min
ister no; yet having reached Washington. The rep
re-ontatlves Of tne car Were ten minutes ahead
of the Ambassador Of Great Britain and members
Of that Legation When the russians crossed m
portico. II looked very much Az II the crowd always
there to watch the passing show were only hell
from cheering by the propretles OF the occasion.
The Russians were the rrst diplomats III IN" Nel
Room. Ten minutes later the Ambassator ot
Great Britain whose magnificent physique and
bearing fail 70 attract attention. strobe across
the corridor but came to sudden halt at the door
~ the Red Room. where his sword got tangled In
thS>xash frnges and jewels. and the services OF an
usher required to hang Sir Julian's sword at
the regulation angle again Nobody in the Dplo-
matte Corps could put up with a little annoyance
of this kind better than the Ambassador Of Great
Britain. who waited with smiling patience. then
bowed, and passed on to the Red Room. which
shortly after fed with the Diplomatic Corps
1t was A day for punctuality all round. The Pres
ident and Mrs. Cleveland came down on the stroke
Of II o'clock followed by the members OF the cabl-
net circle The Blue Room already well nlled
with young women asked 10 assist behind the line.
and their pretty gown. Of varied coors were a.
gay as IA flower garden. The receiving lne was
complete with the exception OF the wife OF the Sec
retary of the Interior. who was kept at home by
the Illness Of their little daughter. The President
appeared to be in the happiest spirits. and never
looked better In his first term. though Older by
several years. He to visitors his usual hearty
greeting which by the way. Is a tGkine one with
the people, who enjoy nothing so much as vigorous
Handwriting from the President of the United
States Mrs. Cleveland looked extremely well III q
becoming gown Of white and violei-striped satih.
with band OF velvet at the throat and white lace
falling a vest OF white satin She received
with that charm of manner whch has delighted the
American people and made her popular woman
The wife Of the Secretary Of State wore gown
of mauve satin and velvet 1t Mrs. Olneys
first New Year al the White House since the trans
fer Of her husband from the position of Attorney
General to that Of Secretary OF state, ana, OF
course she had moved up two places in the line to
the first on the right of the Presidents wife The
wife Of the Secretary Of the Treasury wore gown
of hellotrope brOcade and point lace. The wlfe of
the Secretary Of War wore beautiful gown, nav
ing skirt OF white broadcloth and waist OF white
satin covered with antique lace. Mrs. Harmon the
wife Of the Attorney General, wore pink Drocadc
and duchesse lace Her orna anents pearls in
a broad collar about the throat. II was Mrs. liar
mons first appearance in the line as she Is one of
the two new Cabinet women Mrs Wilson. the
wife OF the Posmaster-Generdi being the oth'r
LII. lrana dl.I ~