The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-06-17
WOULD BAR NENSPAPERMEN
DECREE OF THE ENGLISH GOD VIM
pREsIDEs OVER vANDERBILTs
AsHEyILLE ESTATE.
N H|NLEY BROUGHT HIN 70 TINE
The President Refused to VISIT the
Estate Till the Overseer Re-
scinded an Order Shutting Out
the Newspaper Men.

Asheyille. y. c., June 14-An unex-
pected incident of President Mckinley
trip developed this afternoon when it be-
came known 10 newspaper men accom-
panying the party that permission to enter
Biltmore House, George Nanderbllts
splendid mansion. had been refused to
them while extended to other members OF
the party. Mr.. Vanderbilt is abroad, and
his representative, Charles McNamee, is
with him. In the absence of both the
estate is governed by E. ]. Harding. said
to be an Englishman by birth. When
waited on by the local committee OF ar
engagements a day or two ago for permls-
sion for the party to enter Biltmore, he
objected strongly to receiving any men,
bers of the party except the president and
his cabinet and the ladies with them. He
even refused permission to Manager Nc
Kissicks of the Battery Park hotel, in
charge of the party here, and in the
course of conversation had with two mem
bers of the committee, said:
Mr.. Vanderbilt spits on newspaper no
toriety, and so do |.
After this there was nothing for the
local committee to do but withdraw. Sc
the matter rested till today, when the
president arrived, and ]. Addison Porter,
his secretary, was told of the incident
He must have informed the president, for
later Mr.. Harding was called up on the
telephone by Mr.. Porter and asked if il
were true that newspaper men would not
be admitted to the mansion. Porter was
told that it was, and then he Informed
Mr.. Harding that the president considered
the newspaper men his invited guests on
the trip, and that they were as much a
contingent of the party as members of
the cabinet. Furthermore, Mr.. Porter
notified Mr.. Harding that the president
had authorized him to say that if the
newspaper men were barred from the
mansion he would not step his foot inside
the estate.
This brought things to crisis and Mr..
Harding capitulated with the best grace
possible, and the newspaper men were add
mitted to the mansion on the same footing
as the president and his cabinet.
Before going to Biltmore, Representa-
tive Pearson persuaded Mr. Mckinley to
attend meeting at the Young Mems In
stitute hall of colored people, the gift of
Mr.. Vanderbilt. The hall was filed to its
utmost capacity with colored people, COM
pihiHS lne ldDOrlIlS classes as well as
local colored politicians and their wives
and children. With Congressman Pear
son on one side, for ten minutes he
shocks hands at a rapid rate with all
who were presented to him. 1t was warm
work. Presently the president called for
air, and seven colored men famed him
while the handshaking went on.
At Fillmore the luXuries of the library
were fingered over with special delight.
Mrs. Mckinley was given handsome
bouquet from Mr.. Vanderbilt's conserva-
tory as she left the chateau. The drive
continued over the estate from the river
cottage to the entrance.
Secretary Alger was indisposed from
the extreme heat of the past two DAYS.
but left somewhat recuperated.
In letter to the Asheville Citizen, pub
lished this afternoon, Mr.. Harding saws
MS instructions regarding newspaper men
was in pursuance of what he deemed TO
be MIR. Vanderbilt's orders, and that the
latter had never cabled an invitation TO
VISIT Bitmore to the president or any of
his party.
The beautiful ride over the mountains
was greatly. enjoyed during the evening,
and this point. was reached without incl
dent. The train is due to arrive in Wash
lngton at 1870 tomorrow morning.