Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1897-01-09

avenue, crowding the |
sidewalks the entire length of the white |
house front, covering part of the con-
creted plaza on either side of the cable |
car tracks. all along the opposite side of |
the avenue, and extending up and down |
Fifteenth and Sixteenth streets. These |
cannot enter, but they can see the gor-
geously attired diplomats and officers
of the army and navy, and they are sat- |
isfied with that brilliant display.
Those who enter the white house
lobby can barely discern, beyond the
potted plants, the red coats of the
Marine band. The celebrated nusi-
clans are screened there in the foliage,
ready 10 take part in the reception
when the signal is given. AS soon as
the leader receives the announcement
that the president is approaching, Prof.
Fanciulli raises his baton, and to the
crash of brass and the sound of flute
and horn the president comes down the
stairway. 1t is customary for him to
bring down the wife of the vice presi-
dent. Mr.. Cleveland has violated the
custom on several occasions by bring
ing down his own wife, and, fortunate
ly, the rule on the subject is less rigid
than the rule of precedence, for, whom
soever the president brings downstairs.
his own wife stands at his side when he
takes his place in the blue parlor.
Behind the president and his wife are
the secretary of state and his wife, and
then the other members of the cabinet,
escorting each others wives. The hus-
hands lncn tl,a a-6ar nf official M
dence on this occasion, but their wives
maintain it for them. The wife of the
secretary of state must precede the wife
of the secretary of the treasury, and the
sister of the secretary of agriculture
must bring up the rear, or there would
be n revolution. Men may forget or
overlook certain social amenities, but
women, never. They cling to their
places of precedence, sometimes with
more loyalty and fidelity than they
cling to their matrimonial vows.
The president first receives the am
bassadors, ministers and attaches of
embassies and legations of the foreign
governments. Sir Julian Pauncefote,
British ambassador, is the dean of the
diplomatic corps, and he is the first
recognized by the president, who gives
him a cordial greeting. The other am
bassadors and lessor diplomats follow
in order of their rank and standing
here, as to length of service at this cap
! ital. Sir Julian wears Il brilliant mill
tary uniform. He carries gorgeous
cooked hat in his hand. Behind him
come the other members of the corps
.It IN ct pf n N fnrt,lC N y illr
robes. The Chinese minister and his
attaches keep their little kull caps on
their heads, and save when they shake
the presidents hand they keep their
own hands buried in their flowing
sleeves of silk. The japanese are the
French of the orient. They are progress
sive, intelligent, ambitious and etlns-
lively polite. The Russian minister,
with his giant military attache, always
attracts attention. 1t is a gorgeous
sight to witness this diplomatic corps
reception. The reception begins nj IL
o'clock, but long before that time the
supreme court justices have arrived, for
they are next in order. Chief Justice
Fuller, looking pigmy-like beside the
stalwart Harlan or the broad-sh, ul-
dered Gray, occupies the place of honor,
lie presents his colleagues to the presi-
dent, Justice Field in the van, and
they pass down the receiving line and
into the red parlor and the east parlor
Eeyond it. A few of the diplomats have
gone through the pariors, but most oi
them have slipped behind the receiving
line to greet their friends and wish
them happy New Year.
The senate and house follow the
members of the supreme court. Anc
here the regularity of the re
ception is broken, for among sc
many it is difficult to keep any order ol
precedence, and senator's and members
become hopelessly mixed. The vic,
president or the president pro tempor'
of the senate makes the introduction:
of the senator's, and the speaker intro
duces the members of the house. Blu
there are always stragglers, and th
members of the house pop up sng!.
and in pairs at intervals all through th'
remainder of the reception time.
Following the Legislative or congress
siouul reception, the uniformed defend
ers of the nation on land and on SCI
march into the presence of the com
inanier in chief of the army and navy
The secretary of war and the secre
tary of the navy remain by the side o
the president during this part of the re
ception. Secretary Lamont introduce
the general commanding the army ant
his subordinates as they file by in III
order of their rank. Secretary Herber
introduces the senior admiral of tn
navy and his subordirates. Then tn
officials of the executive department
come forward in their turn. Finally
about one O'clock, the doors are throw
open, and the general public is given ad
mission in double file for an houl
Promptly at two o'clock the doors ar
closed. Then, although thousands out
side are impatiently demanding admit
tance, the tired president and his tire
l. r.. 4. l. 90,