The morning times., 1897-03-06
NJ 'KINLEY IN HIS NEW HOME
The Presidents First and Very
Busy Day.
THOUSANDS OF VISITORS
He Saw All who Called; Some
From the Steps of the White
House and Others in His Of
flee and in the Great East
Parlor.

Parlor.
President Mckinley would ifaye seen the
sun rise for the first time as an occupant
OF the White House had it not been for the
TACT that old Sol, who had been so kind
to the new Chief Executive on the day pre-
yious, hid his face behind mass of dark
and lowering rain clouds. The President
was early astir, nj the policemen on watch
In the White House grounds saw his face
pressed against the window of his apart
ments quite while before Z O'Clock
lie was exceedingly pale, and appeared
to be III deep thought as he peered out
on the dismal prospect OF rainy day,
doubtless realizing i'll the strictest sense
OF the word the new duties imposed upon
every occupant OF the Executive Mansion.
Mr.. Mckinley stood at the window for
fully fifteen minutes, freque emily passing his
hand over his brow, a habit peculiar to him
self. He had been gazing out over the
housetops OF Washington in the early light
of new day for about fifteen minutes,
when mis- wife appeared Her husband turn
ed slightly and offered his arm and the
pair spent the first few minutes OF their
first morning u the White House in
silence. While the rain and a slight sleet
was beating down outside, Mr. Mckinley
slowly stroked the hair of the woman who
has done 50 much by her tact and wonianly
ways-oftentimes a severe tax on her
physical strength-to make her husband
the President of the United States
AS the darkness Of the dawning day dis
appeared Mr. Mckinley and his wife turned
and walked down to the breakfast room
where the mother and near relatives of Mr.
Mckinley had preceded them. By this
time it was 80 O'Clock
AT O'Clock breakfast was finished
The President who is an excessive smoker,
and smokes none but the strongest cigars,
took from his vest pocket clear Habana,
and lighting it, walked out to the front
entrance. Ne greeted the ushers and
doorkcepcrs in an agreeable manner, pass
ing the time Of day with them and asked
concerning their service at the mansion.
He passed them, walked through the cor
r:dor, crossing the hall into the Blue Room
and out upon the portico Oh the south
side. Here he stood for some minutes
gazing intenuy upon the panorama OF the
beautiful valley Of the Potomac, and the
historic hills Of Arlington, which, despite
the mists Of early morning, presented TO the
eye Of the new President most picturesque
and enchanting view
1t was about $50 O'Clock when he en-
tered his private office. Upon his desk
was beautiful bouquet, sent up from the
conservatory. He plucked one OF me
flowers from the bunch and put it in his
buttonhole. He Wore this during the en-
! tire day. For the first time ne sal in
the new chair placed at his desk and be
gan to idly turn over innumerabIe letters
and kilograms which had accumulated,
most of which were congratulatory in
| character.
The chair occupied by Mr.. Cleveland
was one specially made for him, and Mr..
Thurber had strong desire to be its
possessor. Mr.. Cleveland purchased the
chair, and made his secretary a present
OF it,
Mr.. McKinley's first work. entering
upon the duties OF his office, was to have
| prepared the list OF his Cabinet ministers
| to he sent to the Senate for confirma-
| ton or re ejection. This was completed as
early as $50 O'Clock By that time the
/
| members OF Congress from New York
were Hooker, Fisher, odell, and Sherman.
but they We're preceded by few minutes
| by Gen. Cowles, Of North Carolina, who
| now bears the distinction of beingx he first
man to call on President Mckinley at his
| office in the White House.
The two Senators from Illinois were the
next to arrive They only came to say
'howdy." Senator Billy" Mason was
smiling as pleasantly as ever, and the fur
| on his silk hat was brushed the wrong way,
| which Is characteristic of that distinguished
| young statesman. Private Secretary Porter
was fairly besieged with callers, nearly all
| of whom were strangers to him Under
| the circumstances Mr.. Porter did splendidly
He is an exceedingly affable and pleasing
gentleman, and bids fair to develop into a
| high class secretary.
Among the many other visitors of the
| day were Thomas B. Reed, Col. J. j. Nc
| Cook, James R. O'Beirne, of New York;
| Gen. Lloyd s. Bryce, of New York: Murat
Halstead, Moses P. Handy, John s. Wise,
Gen. Batcheller, James A Gary, Joseph
McKenna, Secretary of State Sherman,
II. Clay Evans, and hundreds of Others in
cluding a few ladies.
Mr.. Cleveland's retiring Cabinet. with
the exception OF Secretary oIney, called
on President Mckinley about II o'clock
and were met in the Cabinet Room TIE
visit was simply one of ceremony Their
stay was very brief, not exceeding ten
minutes.
Shortly after their departure the Presi-
dent went downstairs To the East Parlor
where he received members of his old
Ohio regiment. BY this time perhaps 2 900
people had cougreg gated in front Of the
building. These comprised delegations
from many States. Heading the procession
was the Dave Martin Club, of Philadelphia
Thcy did not ask to be admitted to the
house, but simply wanted to pay their
| respects to the President and get a good
look at the man for whose Inauguration
they had worked and voted.
The President put on his overcoat and
hat and walked out upon the steps, the
procession marching past him through the
| carriageway. He had not been there more
than one or two minutes when the veteran
usher, Pendle, who was appointed to his
position by Abraham Lincoln, thought the
President might hazard his health stand
ing upon the cold stones, thereupon he con-
ceiyed the brilliant idea of carrying a rug
from the corridor and placing 1t at the
Presidents feet. Mr.. Mckinley waved it
away Instantly and the crowd set I'D a
shout at the renewed evidence OF the dem
ocracy Of their President.
Mrs. Mckinley was attracted by the
cheering and appeared at an upper Win