The times., 1897-04-13
Mid Hearty Welcoming Cheers
the President Stepped Ashore.
A MOST ENJOYABLE OUTING
In Leonardtown on Sunday, But
Found No Church 30 Attend-The
Villagers Paid Him Homage A
Happy Night on the Calm Potomac.
All Feeling Refreshed.

wharf just after the noon hour yesterday
after a pleasant soJourn on the lower
Potomac
After tine necessary delay in making the
landing, the Presidential party contain
ing MIR and Mrs. Mckinley, Secretary and
Mrs. Porter, DR. and Mrs. Bates and Mrs
SaXton, diSemharked ana entered car
riages awaiting, WAS driven rapidly 10 the
White House.
lalge number of people had learned or
the Dolphin's expected arrival, and when
the boat came alongside the wharf big
crowd had gathered
President Mckinley was the flrst 10 ap-
pear on the gangplank, and as he started
toward the wharf with Mrs. Mckinley
leaning on his arm the crowd cheered
heartily.
1T was unnecessary to inquire whether
the President had benefited by his trief
vacation, for his eye was clear and his
complexion had a healthier unge than
when he went away on last Wedn esday.
Secretary Porter also seemed to be much
helped by the short respite from the cares
of his trying position, and in answer TO a
question by Times reporter he said he
had enjoyed good rest and felt much
better fer it. The party entered the two
convey eyances awaiting them, and were
driven directly to the White House, by
way of Penns ylvania avenue.
1t was exactly 1880 O'Clock yesterday
afternoon when the carriages containing
the Presidential party reached the Whlte
House The President was the first TO
alight, and with the assistance OF luald,
helped out Mrs. Mckinley They We're
quickly followed by Secretary and Mrs
Porter and Mrs. SaNton, all OF whom dc-
companied the President on his cruise.
Very few people were at the Executive
Mansion when the distinguished party ar
rived II YVES Just lunch time, and many OF
the clerks and other employees had gone
away A few people had gathered on the
portico. however, To await the Presidents
coming.
The President, accompanied by former
Secretary Boyle, assisted Mrs. Mckinley
into the White House. Both the Presi-
dent and his wife appeared to be greatly
improved by their short cutting
Mr. Mckinley expressed himself as being
glad to get back to the White House, not
withstanding the official duties that awaited
his return. The party lost no time m
getting into the Executive Mansion, and
went Immediately to luncheon. By l
O'Clock. however. the President was in
his office fully prepared for work Mr..
Mckinley had taken the preCaution TO in-
form the officeSeekers, through Secretary
Porter, that he would see no one on official
business during the afternoon, but would
devote that time TO looking over the vast
amount of mail that had arrived during
his absence from the city.
A number of importunate officeseekers.
however. entirely disregarded the Presi-
dents request. and made all sorts of
vain efforts to reach him. Few, if any,
however. were successful, and many went
away disappointed. IS very little is
known Of the Presidents movements since
he left Annapolis on Saturday, brief
resume of the trip from that time until
the Dolphin reached the navy yard yes
terday viii prove veinteresting The Dolphin
left the home OF the Naval Academy at
noon, Saturday, and proceeded slowly up
the bay until late that evening, when
Backstone's Island, in the lower Potomac,
was sighted. Here 1t was thought wise
to cast anchor for the night and await
the coming of the Sabbath.
SUNDAY morning dawned bright. clear
and cool, in striking contrast to the
weather that had marked the preceding
DAYS of the cruise. So beautiful indeed
were the conditions, that the President eX
pressed a desire to visit Leonardtown, Il
hamlet on the Maryland side. afew miles
south from where the Dolphin lay anchored.
Mrs Mckinley was also anxious TO take
the trip, so Immediately after breakfast
was served the party started in small
launch. accompanied by Lieut.. Glover
ana several officers OF the dispatch boat
Mr. McKinley's main reason for visiting
the quaint Maryland town was ostensibly
for the purpose Of attending divine serv-
ices. When the party arrived at Leonard
town, however, they found very much to
their surprise and dismay that all of tie
churches We're closed, Notwithstanding the
fact that il was Palm Sunday. SO the
President had to content himself 10y max
ing a tour of inspection of the village
This, however, lie found quite interesting,
and several times stopped TO examine and
admire some old landmark of antebellum
days The villagers who had learned of
Mr. McKiDley's presence in their midst
crowded about him and looked in awe
upon the Chief Magistrate of the nation
and his charming wife.
Itis not often that Leonardtown has had
the proud privilege of entertaining a Presi-
dent within it's borders, even if only for
few hours. That the inhabitants of the
town enjoyed the novelty was evidenced
by the manner in which they did homage
60 Mr.. Mckinley, watching his every move
ment, and taking opportunityt salute
him or shake his hand.
Both the President and Mrs Mckinley
seemed to enjoy the courtesy that was
shown them by these humble country folk,
and will ever bear their brief trip to Leon
ardtown In pleasant remembrance. The
party returned to the Dolphin at / O'Clock,
in time to partake of a hearty lunch.
At O'Clock the trip was resumed, but
the boat made little progress up the river,
there being no attempt made to reach
Washington until Monday. This gave the
President an opportunity to 60 on deck
and admire the scenery along the banks of
the historic Potomac. 1t was just at q
point where the river widens to meet the
bay, and the view is an unobstructed one
Most of the time Mr.. Mckinley stood
upon the bridge and watched the ever
changing scenery. Then the golden sun
set came on, flooding the waters with a
glow of crimson light 1t marked the last
day that the President was to be free from
official cares and the opportunities of Of
ficeseekers for perhaps a long time to
come.
Mr.. Mckinley watched with interest the
lights and shadows until dusk; then dark
ness came, and the curtain of night fell
and all was still-stin except for the noise
made by the restless waves as they ruth
lesslv dashed against the sides OF the boat
"Out with the anchor was the seamen's