The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-06-15
Mckinley Refused Condition
ally to Enter Biltmore.
NEWSPAPER MEN INsULTED
REGARDED THEM AS
MUCH GUESTS AS CABINET.
THE PARTY LUNCH AT AsHEvILLE
The Town Decorated With National
Colors--Pearson Puts the President
Through a Buncombe Negro
Hand Shaking Sweat.
Hand Shaking Sweat.

Asheville, n. c., June 14.-The Presi.
Dental train arrived here at lao O'Clock
this forenoon. The party was met at the
depot by local reception committee and
the Asheville Light Infantry. The
President was received by Mayor Rankin
and Il. p. McKissick, manager of the
Battery Park Hotel, to which all the
party were driven for luncheon. The
streets were crowded and there were
many decorations, including national
flags by the hundreds.
An unexpected incident developed this
afternoon when it became known to
newspaper men accompanying the party
that permission to enter Biltmore house,
George w. Vanderbilt's splendid man
sion, had been refused to them, while ex
tended to other members of the party.
Mr.. Vanderbilt is abroad and his repre-
sentative, Charles McNamee is with him.
In the absence of both, the estate is gov
erned by Il. j. Harding, said to be an
Englishman by birth. When waited on
by the local committee of arrangements
day or two ago for permission for the
President and party to enter BiltmOre
house ne objected strongly to receiving
any members of the party other than the
President and his cabinet and the ladies
with them. He even refused permission
to Manager McKissick, of the Battery
Park Hotel, in charge OF the party here.
and in the course of conversation had
with two members OF the committee, said:
Mr.. Vanderbilt spits on newspaper
notoriety and so do /
After this there was nothing for the
local committee to do but withdraw. So
the matter rested till to-day when the
President arrived and ]. Addison Porter.
his secretary, was told of the incident.
He must have informed the President.
for later Mr. Harding was called up on
the telephone by Mr.. Porter and asked
| IL il were true that newspaper men
wc uld not he admitted to the mansIJ
| Porter was told that il was. anil ne then
informed Mr. Harding that the President
| considered the newspaper men were his
invited guests on the trip and that they
were az much contingent of the party
as members of the cabinet. Furthermore.
Mr. Porter notified Mr. Harding that the
President had authorized him to say that
| If newspaper men were barred from the
mansion he would not step his foot inside
| the estate. This brought things TO a
| cfEJS ana MT. I1dTulnS Cdpltuidtcu WIN
the best grace possible and the news
paper men were admitted to the mansion
on the same ground as the President and
his cabinet.
| Before going to BiltmOre~ Representa-
! tive Pearson persuaded Mr. Mckinley
TO attend a meeting of colored people at
the Young Mems Institute Hall, the gift
of George w Vanderbilt. The hall was
filed with colored people, comprising the
laboring classes, as well as local cOl0red
politicians and their wives and children.
| With Congressman Pearson at his side
he shook hands at a rapid rate for ten
minutes with all who were presented to
him. 1t was very warm work and
presently the President called for air,
and seven colored men famed him while
the handshaking went on. AT Biltmore
the luxuries of the library were fingered
over with especial delight. Mrs. Nc
| I<inley was given a handsome bouquet
| from Mrs. Vanderbilts conservatOries as
she left the chateau. The drive continued
over the French Broad boundaries of the
estate, from the river cottage to the
entrance lodge The train was taken at
| Biltmore station and the journey to
Washington resamed at about 6 o'clock.
Secretary Alger was indisposed from the
extreme heat of the past two days, but
| left Asheville somewhat recuperated