The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-06-15
President Would Not Have
Them AffrOnted.
Vanderbllt's English Steward
Failed. In His Effort.
Wanted to Shut Out Newspaper Men
From Biltmore Estate.

Asheville. N. c., June 15.-An unex-
pected incident of President McKinley's
visit developed yesterday afternoon
when IL became known 10 newspaper
men accompanying the party that per-
mission 10 enter Biltmore House. George
w. Vanderbilt's splendid mansion. had
been refused to them while extended TO
other members OF the party. Mr.. Van
derbilt is abroad and his representative,
Charles McNamee. is with him. In the
absence OF both the estate is governed
by IL. j. Harding. said TO be an English
man by birth.
When waited on by the local COM
mittee OF arrangements day or two ago
for permission for the president and
party 10 enter Biltmore House, he OBJ
Jected strongly TO receiving any men,
bers of the party other than the presi-
dent 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 a conversation with two
members OF the committee. said: Mr..
Vanderbilt spits on newspaper notoriety
and so do l."
After this there was nothing for the
local committee 10 do but withdraw.
So the matter rested until the presi-
dent arrived and j. 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 II
II were true that newspaper men would
not be admitted to the mansion. Mr..
nan n
then he informed Mr.. Harding that the
president considered the newspaper men
his invited guests on the trip. and that
they were as much a contingent of the
party as members Of the cabinet.
Mr.. Porter notified Mr.. Harding that
the president had authorized him to
say that IL the newspaper men We're
barred from the mansion he would not
step his foot inside OF the estate. This
brought things to a crisis. Mr.. Hard
irg capituated with the best grace pos.
sible and the newspaper men were ad-
mitted to the mansion on the same foot
ing as the president and his cabinet.
Before going to Biltmore. Representa-
tive Pearson persuaded Mr.. Mckinley to
attend a meeting at the Young Mems
Institute hall for colored people. the gift
filed TO its utmost capacity with colored
people, comprising the laboring classes
as we'll as local colored politicians and
their wives and children. With Con-
gresham Pearson on one side, for 10
minutes the president shook hands at a
rapid rate with all who were presented
to him. 1t was very warm work. Pres
emily the president called for chair.
and seven colored men famed him while
the handshaking went on.
At Biltmore the Injuries Of the H.
brary were fingered over with especial
delight. Mrs. Mckinley was given a
handsome bouquet from Mr. Wander
bits conservatory as she left the cha
teau. The drive continued over the
French broad boundaries Of the estate
from the river cottage TO the entrance
lodge. and the Biltmore incident was
closed The train was taken at Bilt-
more station and the Journey 10 Wash
ington resumed. Secretary Alger was
fndisposed from the extreme heat OF the
past two days. but left Asheville some-
what recuperated.