Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1897-06-19
THE PRESIDENT FIRM.
would Accept No Courtesles Not Extended
70 His Guests-A Case of vanderbilt bo
Damned" In Which the Zig Railroad
Mngnate's Representative Gracefully
Cupitulated.

would Accept No CourtesIes Not Extended
10 His Guests-A Case of vanderbilt bo
Damned" In Which the Zig Railroad
Mngnate's Representative Gracefully
CapituIated.
AslIEyn.LE, n. c., June 1s.-An un-
expected incident of President Me-
Kipley's visit developed yesterday
when it became known to newspaper
men accompanying the party that per-
mission to enter Bitmorc house,
George W. Vanderbilts splendid man
sion, 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 Il. j. Harding.
When waited on by the local commit
teeof arrangements day or two ago
for permission for the presidential
party to enter Biltmore house, he OBJ
jected strongly to receiving any other
members of the party than the presi-
dent, his cabinet and the ladies with
them. lie even refused permission to
Manager McKissick of the Battery
Park hotel, in charge of the party
here, and, in the course of conversa-
tion had with two members of the
committee, said:
Mr.. Vanderbilt spits on newspaper
notoriety, and SO do ~
After this there was nothing for the
local committee to do but withdraw.
So the matter rested until yesterday,
when the president arrived, and j.
Addison Porter, his secretary, was told
of the incident. lie must have in
formed the president, for later Mr..
Harding was called up on the tele-
phone by Mr.. Porter and asked if it
was true that newspaper men would
not be admitted to the mansion. Por-
ter was told that it was, and he then
informed Mr.. Harding that the presi-
dent considered the newspaper men
were his invited guests on the trip, and
that they were as much a contingent
of the party as members of the cab
met.
Furthermore, Mr.. Porter notified
Mr.. Harding that the president had
authorized him to say that If the news.
paper men were barred from the man.
sion, he would not put his foot upon
the estate.
This brought things to crisis, and
Mr.. Harding capltulated with the best
grace possible, and the newspaper mel
were admitted to the mansion on the
same footing as the president and his
cabinet.
Before going to Fillmore Represent
ative Pearson persuaded Mr.. Mckinley
to attend meeting at the Young
Mems Institute hall Of colOred people
the gift of q. W. Vanderbilt. The
hall was filled to its utmost capacity
with colored people, comprising the Ia
boring classes as well as local colored
politicians, and their wives and chill
drcn. With Congressman Pearson on
one side, for ten minutes he shook
hands at rapid rate. 1t was very
warm work. Presently the president
called for air, and seven colored men
famed him while the handshaking
went on.
| At Biltmoro the luxuries of the Ii
brary were enjoyed with especial de.
light Mrs. Mckinley was given a
handsome bouquet from Mr.. Wander
bilt's conservatories as she left the cha
teau. The drive continued over the
broad boundaries of the estate, the
river cottage to the entrance lodge, and
the Bitmore incident was closed
Secretary Alger was somewhat in
disposed from the extreme heat of the
past two days, but left Asheville some
what recuperated.