The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-01-02
New Years Day Celebrated at
the White House.
EVERYBODY MADE CALLS
All Officials From the President
Down Received.
The White House Eiaborately decorated
sor the OCCASION Music by the
Marine Bond of Sixty

WASHINGTON. Jan. New \ ears
day was cels brated here in the good
old-faslioned way. Washington, OF
late years, is almost the only city that
has retained the old custom. Calls
were exchanged b. everybody in Off
cial and private llfe. All OF the Off
cials received, the President first of
all, the pice-President, the members
of the cabinet. heads of bureaus and
SO on down to the humblest officials
and after that the great social public.
IL pas' an ideal day. 4 clear sky
and a bracing breeze from the north
west made walking pleasant but was
rather hard upon the occupants of the
gay equipages and the vast throngs
on foot who were obliged to wait in
the long line outside of the White
House to pay their respects to the
President and exchange greetings
with Mrs. Cleveland and the ladies of
the cabinet
The main interests, OF course, cen
tered in the Presidents reception. The
WhiSe House had been efhborately
deq(eated for the occasion With How
ers' and foliage plants. The Marine
band of sixty pieces in their red coats,
under the leadership of Prof, Fan
ciulli were stationed just within. the
entrance and added color TO the bril-
lianey OF the scene within. The musi-
cal al'programme arranged for the occa-
sion included melange of the airs of
all nations, arranged by Sousa, as a
compliment TO the diplomatic corps,
a triunap phant Russian air and q sug-
gestion of Peace on earth, good will
to men in angels waltz.
Just back of the space ~ hefes the
band dsscoursed in the great vaulted
corridor OF the White House, the deco
rations awere composed of gigantic
screw palms in alcoyes and stands OF
potted plants The red Iiarlor into
which the visitors were first shown,
was adorned with rubber plants, trails
of slnilax and pink begonias TO match
the tone Of the apartment. The Blue
parler where the receiving party stood
70 exchange greetings, with the guests
behind a line of heavy gilt framed
sofas. .lbounded .with.cn flowers, ar
ranged in a tall stand en- the central
diyan. The fnantels We're banked with
azalias and poinsettias, red caynelias,
red roses and hyacinths. The Green
parlor. through which the visitors next
passed, was lined with green jardan-
ieresGfilled with foliage plants, ferns
and palms, ard the great East room
was beautifully. adorned with vast
group OF tall palms apd ferns which
made forest of green, in the large
east window. Stands Of potted plants
srraced the mantels and wreatls and
runners OF sni1ax wound their way
about mirrors.
Just before IL o'clock the President
and Mrs. Cleveland descended the
stairway from the private portion OF
the house, followed by the members
of the cabinet, and exchanged greet
ings with the members of the dipio-
matte corps, who came resplendant IN
fulif ,coasrf COSTUME The PRESIDENT
4hen took Ills place in the Bltie parlor,
next TO the door, with Mrs Cleveland
on his right. In the line beside her
were the wives OF the members Of the
cabinet and Miss Herbert, daughter
Of SECRETARY Herbert. Mrs. smith was
preF&nted from attending Dyht1e ill-
ness of her daughter.
Mrs. CIeveland's gown was OF white
and r1auVe striped satin, with moire
effect The bodice had a high stock
collar of mauye and a pretty jabot OF
lace, falling over a waist Of white satin
richly embroidered in silver and pearl
beads Only a few diamonds sparkled
in her corage and the entire effect OF
the toilet was one Of great simplicity.
Mrs OIney wore a gown OF gray
satin and velvet The bodice had Il
Jacket effect, with revers of lilac vel
velvet and jabot of lace. s IL
Mrs. Carlise wore gray satin brocade,
stylishly combined with velvet, and
trinlHaed with point 3aces4r
Afs. I1aInorit's gown was white. The
skirt was of broad cloth, edged with
a band Of sable The bodice was OF
white satin and entirely covered with
real antique lace of handsome pat
tern. The front of the waist had q
pleatsi~ fold OF satin elnbroidered. IN
q fowl design, with p9rts of Ut pant
ed. The puffed sleeves which reached
10 the elbow, were striped with cloth
bands. Diamond crescent brooch and
other diamond ornaments were worn.
Mrs. Harmon, who Mas sassistinGs at
her first White House reception, made
a handsome figure in the line. Her
gown was an elegant one Of rich laven-
der heseads stglishly made, and worn
and trimmed with Duchess lace. Some
sparkling Jewels y.ere Morn.
Miss Herbert wore a French gown
OF light blue, sbrocsded7silk, combined
WITH blue vef9@f, chiffon and gold
passamentries.
Mses Morton wore wine-eofoted silk
and real point lace giving q becoming
finish TO the bodice.
Thxs3adies OF tie dipl2I1atle eQrIis
wore Elegant visiting dresses, which
reflefted for the most part, the latest
creations Of their Paris dress-naker.
Tn1 1ile rear of the line were. the mem
soeris.af flie Cabinet, and number OF