Evening star., 1897-03-26
T 70 RI M Y Err
The President Witnesses the Evolutions of
the Cavalry.
Members of the Cabinet Attend
Greeted With n Salute of
Twenty-One Guns.

A few minutes after l o'clock this after
noon President and Mrs. Mckinley and Col.
and Mrs Myron r. Herrick of Cleveland
Ohio, left the White House Cor visit to
Fort Myer. Col. Herrick has long been a
close personal friend of the President and
is now on a visit to the chief executive.
The party went in a closed carriage. The
visit was for the purpose Of attending an
exhibition of the cavalry troops Quartered
at Fort Myer, and was by invitation Of
Col. Sumner commanding the forces there.
In addition to President ana Mrs. Nc
Kinley, the members of the cabinet and the
ladies of their families and Secretary and
Mrs. j. Addison Porter also went to Fort
Myer, and the entire party was entertained
at luncheon by Col. Sumner.
The regular cabinet meeting was hurried
to meet the engagement, and before noon
the members of the cabinet had returned to
their respective departments and were en-
gagged in signing their mail, with the eX-
ception of the Attorney General, who lin
gered for half an hour at the White House.
The President and his guests went to Fort
Myer in their own carriage while the cabi-
net officials used the departmental vehicles.
The members of the cabinet left for Fort
Myer half an hour before the departure OF
the presidential party.
The regular public reception at the
White House this afternoon was dispensed
with because of the visit. The President
is not expected to return to the White
House until about ) o'clock.
The ride to Fort Myer was pursued
lesurely, and the journey of three miles
was accomplished in a little more than
half an hour without unusual incident. The
presidential party attracted very little at
tention, but few people being aware that
the stylish carriage, drawn by spirited
bays, with coachman and foo.man sitting
erect on the box. each with crimson car
T. in long n CT
tanned the distinguished party. Most OF
those who did recognize the President did
so after the carriage had passed, and stood
gazing at the vehicle until it had disap-
peared.
AT the Virginia end of the Aqueduct
bridge a large crowd was standing waiting
a the terminus of the electric road for a
car to the post. The President and Mrs.
Mckinley We're quickly recognized by this
group. Men raised their hats and women
bowed and smiled and were delighted to re-
ce1ve answering. salutations from the car
riage.
OF the pest salute of twenty-one guns was
fired. This indication of the arrival of the
Grief magistrate brought a. throng of visi-
tors to the vicinity of Col. Summers resi-
ped for a brief. rest Secretary Alger who
had previously arrived at the fort, and was
awaiting the President at Col. Summers s
quarters, hastened out TO greet Mrs Nc
After a stop of fifteen minutes the presi-
dental party drove TO the drill hall. The
galleries were packed with a fashionable
and distinguished assemblage, and the dar-
ing feats of the soldiers. especially the Co.'S
sack riding and drill, werej watched with
restless interest. Hundreds were unable to
gain admission to the hall, and stood about
the entrances, striving In vain to obtain =
peep of what was going on within.
In the company which witnessed the drill
were the cabinet officers and their wives.
several senator's and representatives and
large number of army officers, besides
many residents Of the city well known in
social circles.
Gen. Nelson A. Miles, on a handsome
white horse rode into the post shortly
after the drill had commenced.
Gen. Longstreet, the famous confederate
cavalry leader, and Col. Fairfax witnessed
the cavalry evolutons
The credit for the rough spirited riding
of the troopers which excites wonder, is
due to Lieut.. Short, 9Th Cavalry, who first
introduced the CoSsack drill at Fort Myer.