Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-03-03
President Elect Mckinley Greeted by
q Greek Letter Society Delegation
Headed by POstmaster-General
Wilson, and is Presented
with Diamond Set
Election Badge.
EXCHANGING THE VISITS OF CUSTOM
The Soon to- Be President, Accompanied
by His Private Secretary, Pays the
Customary Visit of Courtesy to
President Cleveland, Who
Shortly After Returns
the Compliment.

Washington, d. c., March 3.-The day
before the Inauguration opened moist
aud warm. At ten. o'cl sck stead,
drizzle set in, but Professor Moore
4. chief of the weather bureau, says that
tomorrow will be clear, cool and bracing
The railroads continued throughout the
night and day to pour constantly grow.
ing special trains into the city, and
military companies and civic organiza-
tions marching through the main streets
added picturesqueness to the scene. The
president-elect retired late last night,
but when he appeared at the breakfast
table at eight O'Clock, he looked the
picture of health and strength. By nine
O'Clock the lobby of the Ebbitt house
was crowded by persons anxious to meet
the president, but only select few were
successful. Senator-elect Hanna was
among the earliest callers. At $3.50 the
presidept-elect descended to the second
floor of the hotel, where the delegation
was in waiting to make the presentation.
The delegation was headed by Post
master General Wilson, and consisted
of members of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon
fraternity, who called to preseLt the
badge of the order. The president elect
greeted all callers with the greatest cor
diallty. Taking Mr.. Wilson by the hand
he exclaimed: III have not seen you
since the storm last November. Come
over by the window where l can see you
plainly, and make sure you look as you
did in the good old days when you we're
on one side and on the other"
After reciprocal greeting in the same
spirit, the postmaster general proceeded
TO make speech in an entirely informal
way. He was charged with the presenta-
tion to the president.elect with a badge
which unfortunately he did not have him
self. He produced receipt of the ex-
press company, and telegram announc-
ing shipment of the article. The presi-
dent.elect thanked the delegation in suit.
able terms, and promised to wear the
badge, if, as he remarked, { here really
was any such badge, and the visitors we're
not joking. just as the party started
away an express messenger brought in
the delayed package. Postmaster Gen
eral Wilson Immediately opened it as
sisted by the president elect, and dis.
closed beautiful work of the jewelers.
art, studded thickly with diamonds. When
the ceremony was over the president
elect spent some time in exchanging greet.
ings with friends. Soon after ten he re.
turned to his private apartments, to
dispose of some matters requiring his
immediate attention, connected with the
inaugural ceremonies.
VISITS OF CUSTOM.
At 11:1O Mr.. Mckinley went to pay an
official visit to President Cleveland. No
one save Secretary Porter and Chairman
Bell, of the Inauguration committee, ac-
companied the president They we're
shown directly into the official reception
room of the White house, where they were
met by President Cleveland and Secretary
Thurber. The meeting between the in
coming and outgoing presidents lasted
only few minutes. the subject under dis
cussion naturally being the weather. The
president-elect returned to the Ebbitt,
and in an hour Mr.. Cleveland, following
custom, returned his call. Thurber ac-
companied him to the hotel. As he
walked through the rotunda of the
hotel. the president plainly showed that
he was suffering. His right foot was
clad in large cloth slipper and although
he favored the lame foot as much as pos
sible, it was evident that every step
caused him pain.
Over 10000 people reached here today.