Evening star., 1897-04-07
GONE ON THE DOLPHIN
President Mckinley Seeks Brief Respite
From Work.
Duration of the Trip Not known, but
He is Expected to Return
Saturday.

Mississippi river flood resolution, walked
right out of his Office down stairs to Mrs.
Mckinley and the carriage in waiting and
left the White House at 2:O5 o'clock for
the trip down the Potomac river and wher-
ever else it may be concluded to go before
the visit is ended.
The White House carriage took President
and Mrs Mckinley and Mrs. Saxton and a
maid. Following this carriage was the
carriage of Secretary Porter, who was ac-
companied by his wife. These, together
with DIR. and Mrs. Bates, compose the
party which left on the Dolphin. DIR. Bates
is the presidential physician. He is in
government service but was the physician
to the President and his wife when they
lived in this city years ago.
The departure of the presidential party
was without incident. There were few
people at the White House, as the number
of visitors during the day had been slim.
because of the announcement that they
would not be received.
The presidential baggage was pushed out
in front of the White House before 2
o'clock, and was sent away In covered
wagon. 1t consisted of two trunks of or
binary size and valse. In front of the
closed carriage, in which Mrs. Porter sat
waiting for the departure, were two
valises.
The President ought to get good rest
from the trip. By not returning before
Saturday afternoon he will get about three
days and a half from work. The Sunday
which will follow will also be q rest day,
and when the President gets In MS office
next Monday he will be in better trim 10
listen to the opportunities of ofIice-Seek-
erS.
The dispatch boat Dolphin. on which the
President and party take their cruise down
the Potomac has been lying at the navy
crI ,t ALWAYS
in the best of shape from stem to stern.
Just the same. the men have been busy put
ting extra polish to the brass work,
giving the decks a scruhbing down and
putting on the finishing touches here and
there preparatory to her first trip with Mr.
Mckinley aboard.
Less was known of the Presidents plans
on board the Dolphin today than about
the White House, and the officers at noon
We're utterly in the dark as to when they
would start or how long they would be
gone. The impression among them was
that the President only wanted to get away
from Washington for few days in order
to get thorough rest and that it would
make very little difference TO him what the
destination might be. Complete prepara-
tionS have been made for his comfort while
away, and there would seem to be no rea-
son why he should not enjoy himself on his
first little outing.
The party arrived at the navy yard at
2:3o O'Clock, and as they entered the gate
a company of marines. under the command
of Lieut.. Prince, presented arms A de-
tachment of bugle corps OF the Marine
Band drawn up along side, gave four
fourishes and four ruffles, followed by the
Presidents March, according to the eti-
quette as prescribed in the official regula-
tions. Tie party drove through the arch
to the wharf, and embarked on the ord
rance tug Triton. %
They were received on board by Commo-
dore c. S. Norton, commandant of the navy
yard
The Dolphin remained at the navy yard
in readiness for the presidential party until
| o'clock, and then account of the fall
ing tide was forced to leave the dock and
proceed down the river. The tug Triton
will meet the Dolphin in the neighborhood
of Alexandria, where the party will be
transferred and proceed on the cruise in the
Dispatch boat under the command of Lieut..
Commander Clover.
1t was just 2:S5 o'clock when the Triton
pulled away from the wharf. and with the
President with Secretary Porter by his
side standing at the stern. The President
repeatedly bowed to the small group of
spectators who were standing on the dock
to witness his departure. Mrs. Mckinley,
with Mrs. Porter and Mrs SaX:on, had in
the meanwhile retired to the cabin.
The Dolphin is well adapted for cruise
of this sort. There is big cabin aft, fittec
up with lounges, easy chairs desks and an
abundance of good reading matter. There
are two large and cheerful state rooms
below. The one on the port side will be
occupied by the President and the one on
the starboard has been prepared especially
for Mrs. Mckinley. The accommoda tions
for the remainder of the party are thor
oughly comfortable, though the rooms are
not quite as large. The officers quarters
are quite separate. so that Mr.. Mckinley
will be able to keep as secluded as he
chooses, though If he wants company he
can ask for no better than the officers Of
the Dolphin, cultured. Travelled gentlemen
II he wants exercise the decks are ample
for the purpose, and if he wants to keep
by himself he can have the poop deck un-
disturbed. While the Dolrhin is down the
river the presence of the President and his
party will probably not interfere in the
slightest with the daily routine on board
kept at gun drill precisely as If there were
nc guests aboard.