Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-15
PRESIDENTS RETURN
AN UNEXPECTED INCIDENT AT
AsHEvILLE.
BILTMORE BARRED TO JOURNALISTS.
Mr.. Mckinley Would Not Have This,
However, and SO the Gates and
Doors swung Open to the
Scribcs.
Scribes.

ASHEVILLE, y. c., June 1.-THE presi-
Dental train arrived here at i4O this
forenoon. The party was met at the
depot by a local reception committee ana
the Asheyille Light Infantry. The Presi-
dent was received by Mayor Rankin and
T.. Z. McKissick, manager of the Battery
Park Hotel, 10 which all the party were
driven for luncheon. The streets Were
crowded, and there were many decora-
tions, including national flags by the hum
dred.
An unexpected incident deveioped this
afternoon, when II became known TO the
newspaper men accompanying the party
that permission to enter Bitmore House,
George W. Vanderbit's splendid man
sion, had been refused to them, while
extended to other members of the party.
Mr.. Vanderbilt is abroad and his repre-
sentative, Charles AIcNamee, is with him.
In the absence OF both, the estate Is
governed by f.. j. Harding. said TO be an
Engiishman by birth. When waited on
By the local Committee Of Arrangements
4 day or two ago TOR permission Tor
the President and party TO enter Biltmore
House. he objected strongly to receiving
any members OF the party other than the
President and his Cabinet and the ladies'
with them. He even refused permission
10 Manager McKisslck. OF the Battery
Park Hotel. in charge of the party here.
and in the course of a conversation with
two members of the committee, said:
Mr. Vanderbilt spits on newspaper noto-
riety. and so do l." After this there was
nothing left for the local committee to do
but withdraw.
So the matter rested till to-day. when
the President arrived, and J. Addison
Porter, his secretary, was told OF the IN
cident. He must have Informed the
President, for later Mr.. Harding was
called up on the telephone by Mr. Porter,
and asked If it were true that the news
paper men would not be admitted to the
mansion. Porter was told that 1t was,
and he then informed Mr.. Harding that
the President considered that the news
paper men were his invited guests on
the trip. and that thev were as much a
contingent Of the p rty as the members
of the Cabinet. Furthermore. Mr.. Porter
notified Mr.. Harding that the President
had authorized him TO say that II the
newspaper rnen were barred from the
mansion he would not put his foot on
the estate This brought things TO
crisis. and Mr.. Harding capitulat"d with
the best grace possible, and the newspaper
men were admitted TO the mansion on the
same footing as the President and his
Cabinet.
RECEPTION TO NEGROES.
Before going to Biltmore, representa-
tive Pearson persuaded Mr.. Mckinley 10
attend a meeting Of colored people at
the Young Mems Institute Hall, the gift
ali - 40 IA
filled with colored people. comprising the
laboring classes. as well as local coiored
politicians and their wives and children.
with CONGRESSMAN Pearson at his side
| ne shook hands at a rapid rate for ten
minutes with all who were presented TO
| him. 1t was very warm work, and pres
| entity the President caled for air. and
seven cofored men famed him while the
handshaking went on.
At Biltmore the luxuries Of the library
were fingered over with especial delight.
Mrs. Mckinley was given handsome
bouquet from Mr. Vanderbilt's conserVa-
| tory as she left the chateau. The drive
continued over the French Broad bounda-
| rles Of the estate, from the river cottage
IN the entrance lodge The train was
| taken at Bitmore station. and the jour
nev TO Washington resumed at about .
o'clock. Secretary Alger had been in
| DISPOSED from the extreme heat OF the
past two days, but left Asheville some
what recuperated.
EXPLANATION FROM HARDING.
| MORGANTON, y. c., June lin a
! letter to the Asheyille Citizen, published
this afternoon, Mr.. Harding said that his
instructions regarding newspaper men
| we're in pursuance of what seemed to be
| Mr.. Vanderbilts orders and that the lat
| ter had never cabed an invitation TO
visit Biltmore to the President or any
of his party.
The beautiful ride over the Southern
was greatly enjoyed during the evening,
and this place was reached without incl
dent. The train is due TO arrive in Wash
ington at 1880 y. NJ. tomorrow.