The sun., 1897-04-28
UNION LEAGUE RECEPTION.
MOST ELABORATE AFFAIR IN THE
CLUES HISTORY.

Tho ntE House Beautifully Decsrntea with
FinEu ana Ifaunera-A Brilliant Scene with
the Isrieht Unirorms Cheers Tor the Prcsi-
dent inside ana Outside the Cinbhouse.
Tho reception to President Mckinley at the
Union League Club last night was one OF the
most impressive affairs of the kind ever held in
this city. Rarely has such distinguished COM
pany boon gathered together and never before
has the Union League Club attempted anything
90 elaborate.
Tho decorations Of the clubhouse were artistic,
and with the gold and bluo uniforms of tho army
and navy officers and the members Of tho Dip
loDatic Corps helped to mako tho scene bcauti-
full.
The possibilities for decoration In the club
house arc almost unlimited. but never before
was such advantage taken Of them. The House
Committee Of the club aided by Thomas Il.
Clarke, the Chairman of the Art Committee had
the matter In charge.
Every inch of the walls in the hallway was
concealed by silken banners. The pillars were
drapcd with them and sprnging up from
ground work Of potted palms and ferns around
each one were stacks of flags on sticks.
From the ceiling flags hung in festoons back
as far as the staircase. The rails along the
staircase were draped in flags, over which
smlax was strung. At the foot were great
ferns lined the sides up to the second floor.
The colorcd glass window at the head OF the
first landing was particularly brilliant. Behind
II were dozen colored electric lights. The top
and sides were draped with flags, and potted
plants were ranged along the bottom.
Behind an cmbankment OF green in the south
west corner OF the main hall was tho Seventh
Regiment Band. String bands were scattered
around other parts OF the house, and the deco
rations of the hall prevailed in milder form in
all OF the small and largo rooms on the ground
floor.
The fact that President Mckinley was to be
entertained by the club attracted large crowd
to the corner of Fifth avenue and Thirty.ninth
street early in the evening. There were as many
women as men, and all intent on getting a
glimpse OF the President. They surged up to
the clubhouse door, and some took places at the
sides OF the steps.
Then the police came and drove them TO the
opposite side Of the street, from which point
they could just catch glimpse OF the people
who left the carriages. Determined to be-
stow applause where applause was due, the
crowd cheered each carriage that drove up.
A band which escorted somebody to the
clubhouse was Obliged to hang around outsde
until after the reception the crowd enlisted
1t in their cause and induced the members to
play few bars of Hail to the Chief" each
timo carriage left guests at the door. The
police finally quelled the band and the crowd
The arrangements for getting the guests to
the club were in the hands Of a reception com
mittee of $50. The members OF the committee
were assigned in groups OF two and three to
were Stopping, get them aDd Bring them 10 ahs
club. Over a hundred carriages were in com
mission and were kept busy.
was expected TO arrive, there were over 500 pco-
Pile in the club house. They were principally
there. too. It was $50 o'clock when the Presi-
from inside. the clubhouse almost as soon as
there here we're e re cheers h IS IRON g, outsids ,,,.s
President walked across the hall and started up
the stairs He was leaning on the arm OF Gen.
bart with II. c. D. Borden. and Sir Julian
Panncefote with Chauncey " Depew.
suess Mas % S BY smSes of Se Se
iiai party; which ineiudsd tho Cabinet, Sabiae. and The
Wesley Merritt. Gen. Grenviiie n. Dodge Rear.
Reed Mayor Strong. @ senator Marx Hanna. aeWS VII.
liam Mckinley Osborne, Gov. Cook of Connect |
Of Massachusetts, Gov. Ramssdell OF New
Hampshire. Coy; Bushnell of Ohio, Gov.
II a"R9s RssSse Of fsanS Gay roe Gov pt
mont. Coy. Black and Lieut.. Gov. Woodruff.
Senators Sewal. Netmore. Frye, Proctor, Gal |
linger. Fairbanks. Walthall, Carter Turner and |
Elkins: Seth Low. President OF Columbia Col |
legc; President Patton ot Princeton, and Presi- |
dent Schurman of Cornell.
These guests and many others marched slowly |
up the stairs. which were Euarded by = company |
the large meeting hall on the second floor. the |
reception was held. This room was decorated |
with the flags OF all nations.
In it is collection of portraits of many. noted |
Generals and OF most OF the Presidents. includ- |
ing new one OF Mr.. Mckinley by. Theodore |
The walls around and back OF these |
were hung with Virginia smilaS |
relieved in spots by clusters OF red. white, and |
blue flowers Under portrait OF Gen. Grant |
was wreath OF white roses and violets. and |
above it the Appomattox nag. which belongs TO |
Gen. Porter.
Gen Porter. as President OF the club. stood be-
side President Mckinley during the reception |
and introduced him to tho members of the club |
who were unknown TO him.
The reception lasted until about i o'clock. |
when the Presidential party went to supper in |
he alcove dining room. The other guests OF the |
club ate in the main dining room and members |
were served in the billiard room.