Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1896-01-25

rectly face the president and his
assistants, thereby witnessing every
movement which occurs in the big blue
room. AS the officials enter the room
to the left of the president, the master
of ceremonies announces their coming.
First he will cry: "The Chief Justice
and Associate Justices of the Supreme
Court of the United States"
Immediately thereafter the learned
lawyers approach. The chief Justice
takes the presidents right hand, bows,
and says: "Mr. President, 1 wish you
a happy New Year." The president re-
turns the pressure Of his hand, and
says: "Mr. Chief Justice. thank you,
SIR" Then comes each associate JUS
tice, taking the hand of the president
and making the same bow and uttering
the same words, to each of whom the
president responds with thanks, call
ing each man mir. Justice" so and so,
whatever his name may be. Then come
the other officials, each one addressing
"Mr. President" with similar fclici-
tous expression, and being addressed
in turn, according to his title, rather
than by the name given by his spon-
sors III baptism. The entire affair is
severely official. 1t is not enjoyable
10 an on-looker, except as n matter of
curiosity. Of course, this is a splendid
time, and an excellent place, to see
all of the distinguished men; and
those who have never witnessed such
{. scene would be delighted with the
Sc
ever, for one who lives in constant con-
tact with the people who participate
in the affair. Upon no other occasion
during an entire administration can
anyone see the president for so long
n time, and observe his manner of
receiving the people.
But there is always something out of
the ordinary when the regular public
reception commences. Here come the
dear people who are out for good
time, and who have not been accus-
toned to seeing a president or bril-
liant gatherings. The wife of the
president stands Immediately on his
right, aud gives her hand to all OF the
officials who call; and they in turn
shake hands with the ladies' cf the cab
met, WHO stand in line on the right of
the presidents wife. But when the
crowds come in they shake The hand
of the president, and go bowling down
| the line to the ladies. who are already
> too tired to extend their hands to the
| hundreds who throng past them. AS
each individual enters the room, the
master of ceremonies whispers quick
ly: What is your name?" The re-
! sponse is given in low tone, and the
master of ceremonies says: mir. Pres
ident, Mr.. Smith" The president ex-
tends his hand and says: Good morn
ing, Mr.. Smith" The president imme-
diately turns about and gives his hand
TO the next caller, who is also intro
duced by name by the master of cere-
monies. Thus the reception continues
for another hour; and, if the crowd
has not all filed by nj that time, the
doors are closed and the others who
wanted to get in are barred out. :,
1t is funny to hear the announce
ments of names made by the master of
ceremonies, if you happen to know
some of the individuals. \ Mr.. Thomp-
son may be introduced as "Mr. Thorn
as" a Mr.. Swift may be called mir.
Smith," and so on through the gamut
cf sounds of names. The celebrated
Don Piatt, at that time one of the
best known men in the country, pub
iished in his paper story to the eff
feet that when he called on President
Hayes and gave his name to the master
of ceremonies, supposing that Don
Piatt was name known to all men
in Washington, he was amazed to hear
the big man say: "Mr. President, this
is Dam Pirate" 1t happened, however.
that President Hayes knew Mr.. Piatt,
and laughed heartily as he greeted him
by his proper name. 1 once called upon