The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-05
President Mckinley Takes
Up the ReinS.
Early at His Desk Coping
With Flood of Business.
Complimentary Visit by Members
of the Retiring Cabinet.

Washington, March 5.-President Nc
Kinley was on the move at an early hour
this morning He greeted the White
House officials at 1880 O'Clock and break
tasted at with the family party, includ-
ing his wife, mother and other near rela-
tiyes. Then he smoked a cigar and at o
o'clock entered the Presidents private
Office and began coping with the flood of
public business. Already crowds of pco-
pie had begun to arrive, clamoring at the
main entrance TO the executive mansion
for admission. The doors were kept closed
against the general crowd until 10 o. clock,
but in the meantime number of callers
having special business gained admission.
General Cowles Of North Carolina was the
first caller. At 9:30 o'clock the official Wis.,
itors began to put in their appearance
member of either branch of Congress TO
see the President.
Messrs Carlisle, Lamont, Wilson, Her
bert, Harmon, Francis and Morton called
at 10 a. IN. They were shown directly TO
the President and spent a quarter of an
hour with him. 1t was a call Of courtesy
and of kindly exchange.
About half-past ten O'Clock Secretary
Olney came over from the state depart
ment. BY some mischance he had failed
to meet the other members Of the retiring
cabinet when they paid their formal call
in body upon the President. So, some
what bclatcd, he came along to pay his
respects.
Senator Sherman, who is TO succeed to
the office of secretary of state, had given
Mr.. Olney notice that he would not be
prepared to begin the discharge of his
new duties until next Monday, and at the
request of the President Mr.. Olney con
sented to remain at the head of the state
department until that time.
The crowd in front of the executive
mansion swelled to thousands. They
surged up To the portico surrounding the
doors in solid masses and extended in
both directions down the long semi-circle
driveways 10 the outer gates They
came with bands playing and flags flying.
One o the first organizations TO call was
that made up of the veterans, who oerved
with Major Mckinley i'm the Twenty
Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
The President wished to greet his old
comrades personally and they filed into
the east room. Mr.. Mckinley came from
his private apartments looking sturdy
and vigorous despite the strain of yester-
day He cordially greeted each of the
groops along the way, giving a hearty
handshake to each person. 1t was meet
ing Of old friends rather than an official
greeting, and the President called most
OF the veterans by name. The crowd out
side had now grown clamorous and with
the confused music of several bands were
the shouts from hundreds of
throats liz was apparent that the thronc
never could get within the White House.
Realizing this, the President called for
his hat and oyercoat and stepped through
the front doors TO the marble portico. A
great shout went up ms he made his APP
pcarancc. Hats were thrown in the air.
and umbrellas were waved !
Irantically, the ladies joining i'm the |
ovation. The President bowed repeatedly |
rs the cheers continued. Then the clubs |
swung into line and with bands playing !
marched under through the arch of the |
portlco each man uncovcring as he passed !
Nibop a. VI 1ltNtlnfN, the 4
Presidents personal escort yesterday, i'm |
lhe big black shakos and fine uniforms |
While this demonstration was proceeding |
m front OF the mansion the Individual |
,allcrs were assembled above i'm Secretary
Porter's office and in the outer corridors
AT III 30 John ID. Long of Massachusetts.
ho new secretary Of the navy, arrived. |
10 had just reached Washington. He |
vas ushercd into the Presidents office, I
'pending half an hour there after the
Presidents return from the portico, and
hen icing invited 10 the private parlors
If the Presidents household at the west
nd of the mansion. At 1890 Senators
Nilsson and German and Sergeant-at-
Arms Bright of the Senate arrived to
rive the President the usual formal noti-
lcation that the Senate was in session.
The call was brief and the senator's hur-
led back To the Capitol. The UPPER cor
idors leading TO the Presidents Office
ontinued TO be crowded by anxious
alters, but only a few of them were able
o gain admission. Among those who
aw the President were Colonel John !. I
icCook of New York, who has been
connected with cabinet talk,
,nauLer Ran.I Mtrnt uo1ctnol o,.l |