The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-15
Unless the Correspondents Were Adj
mitted, and MIR. VanderbiIt's Mama
ger Was Forced to Back Down.
INCIDENT At ASHEVILLE, N. c.
WHERE THE PRESIDENT AND PARTY
SPENT MOST OF YESTERDAY.
E. }. Harding, IN Englishman, Who
Doesn't Like Newspapers, Rebuked
End of the Southern Trip.

ASHEvILLE, N. c., June 14.-An unex-
pected incident of President Mckinley S
visit here developed this afternoon, when
it became known to newspaper men ac-
companying the party that permission to
enter Biltmore House. George w. Wander
bits 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. j. Harding, said to be
an Englishman by birth When waited on
day or two ago for permission for the
Presidents party to enter Biltmore House,
he objected strongly to receiving any men,
bers Of the party other than the President
and his Cabinet and the ladies with them.
He even refused permission to Manager Nc
Kissick, of the Battery Park Hotel, in
charge of the party here, and IN the course
of conversation had with two members of
the committee said: Mr.. Vanderbilt spits
on newspaper notoriety and so do l." After
this there was nothing for the local COM
Inittee to do but withdraw. So the matter
rested till to-day, when the President ar
rived and j. Addison Porter, his secretary,
was told of the incident. He must have in
formed the President for later Mr.. Hard
ing was called up on the telephone by Mr..
Porter and asked if it was true that news
paper men would not be admitted to the
mansion. Mr.. Porter was told that it was,
and he then informed Mr.. Harding that the
President considered the newspaper men
were his invited guests on the trip and that
they were considered as much contingent
of the party as members of the Cabinet.
Furthermore Mr.. Porter notified Mr.. Hard
ing that the President had authorized him
to say that II the newspaper men We're
barred from the mansion he would not visit
the estate. This brought things to a crisis
and Mr.. Harding capitulated with the best
grace possible and the newspaper men We're
admitted to the mansion on the same foot
ing as the President and his Cabinet.
In letter to the Asheville Citizen. pub
!ished this afternoon, Mr.. Harding said that
MS instructions regarding newspaper men
was in pursuance of what he deemed to be
Mr.. Vanderbilt'S orders, and that the latter
had never cabled an invitation to visit Bilt-
more to the president or any of his party.
Soon after o'clock this morning the
presidential train resumed its journey,
making the start from Sherman'S HILL an
elevated suburb of Chattanooga. 1t was a
happy thought to have the cars removed
from the railway station TO the fresher air
of the enVirons since the heat was intense
in town. The entire party had a refreshing
sleep. AS 1t was o'clock in the morning
when the train reached Knoxville, Tenn,
which, though uncurtained on account of
the heat, permitted but tantaliZing glimpses
of the train interiors: Very soon after
the correspondents car looking, as he said
he felt, strong and cheerful. He reported
Mrs Mckinley as being wei ana freed
from fatigue and said that both he and
his wife were thoroughly recuperated by
the rest of Sunday. Secretary Sherman re-
who had been threatened with tonsilitis
was rapidly recovering. All aboard the train
were in condition to enjoy the beautiful
At Marshall, N. c., twenty miles out of
Asheville, and the home of United States
Senator Prtchard a short stop was made
and Mr.. Mckinley shook hands with ssVet al
hundred of the thousands at the OF
the train He had the usual pleasant word
and he lifted one pretty little miss into the
car to see Mrs. Mckinley, There were loud
cries for Mr.. Sherman from crowd of
elderly sturdy mountaineers, and the Sec
rotary came to a forward platform, where
he shook hands with those he could reach.
Mr.. Sherman said: Il suppose GU want 70
see my face. ! assure you it is not nearly
SO good to look upon as those of the ladies
of the presidential party. You would have
done well to call for them
Nothing could have been more admirable
than the arrangements at this city for the
reception of the President and his party.
The Asheville Light Infantry of the Fourth
was drawn uD as a guard of honor and to
keep a clear space tor the President. In
five minutes the carriages were TILED, the
President leading in a Victoria drawn by
four handsome bays AT the station and
along the winding and ever ascending
streets were crowds of residents and sum-
mer visitors, and enthusiasm was most
manifest Battery Park Hotel was the des-
tination, and at it's elevation OF $500 feet
the breeze was cool and refreshing for the
first time since Hot Springs. Va, was lett.
The heat was not matter of moment.
President and Mrs. Mckinley and such
members of the Cabinet as cared to do so
went to their rooms almost Immediately for
a rest of an hour prior to luncheon.
Before going to Biltmore Representative
Pearson persuaded Mr.. Mckinley to attend
a meeting at the Young Mems Institute
hall of cOlored people. the gift of George
w Vanderbilt The hall was filled TO it's
utmost capacity with colored people. COM
prising the laboring classes as well as local
colored politicians and their wifes and chill
dren. With Congressman Pearson on one
side for ten minutes he shook hands at a
rapid rate with all who were presented to
him. 1t was very warm work. Presently
the President called for air and several
colored men famed him while the hand
shaking went on.
At Fillmore the luxuries of the library
were fingered over with especial delight
Mrs Mckinley was given a handsome bou-
uuet from Mr.. Vanderbilt's Conservatives
as she left the chateau. The train was
taken at Biltmore station and the journey
to Washington resumed at about o clock.
Secretary Alger was indiSposed from the
extreme heat of the past two days, but
left Asheville somewhat recuperated
-A-e-S
Exercises at Princeton.