The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1897-03-04

aDle. snow Is -out or the question.
Whether it will rain OF not is an open
question. There is wet area out west
and gathering showers in the south,
but though there has been some gather
ing cloudiness around the District of
Columbia and growing haze which it
takes longer each morning for the sun
to dissipate, there is persistent high
barometer that brings clear skies long
before noon On the whole the indica-
tions favor showery weather and possi-
bly, rain Just before or just after inaug-
uration day, with q prospect that that
day itself may escape and indeed that
the showers may be light or forced in
another direction
President Cleveland and Mrs. Cleve-
land last night entertained at dinner
President-elcct Mckinley. The invita-
ton, which while not q novelty, is not
always usual to change OF adminlstra-
ton, was extended through Secretary
Porter several days ago, but up to late
hour this afternoon it was doubtful
whether or ndt it could be carried out
owing to the indisposition OF President
Cleveland. Word came to Mr.. Porter
at the Ebbitt house, however, about b
O'Clock that the president had so far re-
covered from his rheumatic attack as to
be able to carry out the engagement
which was renewed in pressing form.
Therefore handsome brougham, the
Same that had conveyed the president
elect from the station to his hotel this
morning, stood at the doorway of the
Ebbitt about o'clock last night. The
president elect emerged from the hotel
at z 80 and was greeted with cheers by
the crowd which formed on either side
of q lane on the sidewalk. He took his
seat with Secretary Porter and was
driven in a few minutes to the White
House. 1t was expected that Mrs. Nc
Kinley would accompany her husband
to the dinner, but owing to the exhaus-
tion that followed the exciting events
of the journey from Canton and the
day in Washington she was unable to
do so.
At the White House Mr.. Porter left
the president. elect at the inner door
way and the latter entered at once the
red parlor, where he was greeted cor
daily by President Cleveland, who had
been in waiting with Mrs. Cleveland
for the purpose. Without delay dinner
was announced and the party retired to
the private diningroom, where suit
was nothing elaborate about the dinner
or the decorations. Mrs. Cleveland had
given her personal attention to the ar
rangements and the table decorations
and menu were exceedingly simple and
in good taste. Freed from the restrain
ing influence of others, the retiring
and incoming presidents and Mrs.
Cleveland chatted without formality
oR,l xayifhnn lnt,,t N al
received many hints as to the easiest
manner to bear the burdens of the
responsibilities that will be imposed
upon his family In the management OF
the White House during the next four
years.
While President Cleveland was ex-
tending this courtesy to his successor,
the vice president elect was entertain
ing Secretary Porter and some chosen
friends at dinner at the Arlington.
Secretary Olney also provided
bounteous dinner and invited some
friends to meet two members of the
new cabinet, Messrs. Gary and Gage.
Major Mckinley left the White
House about 10 o'clock and imme-
diately returned to the Ebbitt. There
being nothing definite known as to the
time of his return no crowd had col
lected about the hotel doors. The
major quickly alighted from his car
riage, hurried through the corridor and
took the elevator for his apartments,
where he remained the rest of the
evening.
General Alger took lunch yesterday
with the president. elect and they passed
about an hour in conversation. Mr..
Mckinley spent the latter part of the
afternoon in study of the arrange
ments that have been made for the in.
auguration so far as they affect him
and approved them