The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-06-18
MCKINLEY AT ASHEVILLE.
Visit to Biltmore Vanderbilt Agent
Snubs the Newspaper Men-Rebuked by
the President-Mckinley Calls for Fresh
Air During a Reception to ColOred Peo-
ME.
Especial to The Messenger.)

Especial to The MeSsenger.)
Raleigh, y. c.. June IA telegram
to Governor Russell from Adjutant
General COwles, at Asheville, says: Il
extended the freedom of the state for
you. President Mckinley sends his
greetings" Private Secretary AleXan-
der Immediately telegraphed President
Mckinley at Ashville: Governor Rus
sell sends his warmest personal greet
ings and for the people extends 70 you
a North Carolina welcome into our
midst"
(By Associated Press.)
Ashev1lle. y. c., June 1.-THE presi-
dental train arrived mere at 11:40
o'clock this forenoon. The party was
met at the depot by a local reception
committee and the Ashevilie Light In,
fantry. The president was received by
Mayor Rankin and E. p. McKissick,
manage Of the Battery Park hotel, to
which all of the party were driven for
luncheon. The streets were crowded
and there were many decorations in
GLIDING national flags by the hundred.
An unexpected incident developed
this afternoon when it became known
to newspaper men accompanying the
party that permission to enter Bilt-
| more house. George w. Vanderbilt's
splendid mansion, had been refused to
them. while extended to other members
of the party. Mr.. Vanderbilt is
abroad. and his representative, Chas.
McNamee, is with him. In the absence
of both the estate is governed by f. j.
Harding, said r. be an Englishman by
birth. When waited on 10y the local
committee of arrangements a day or
two ago for permission for the presi-
lent and party TO enter Blltmore
house, he objected strongly to receiv-
ing any members of the party other
than the president and his cabinet and
the ladies with them. He even refused
permission to Manager MckisSick, of
the Battery Park hotel, in charge of
the party here, and in the COURSE of
conversation. had Nth two members
Of the committee, said: Mr.. Wander
bilt splits on newspaper notoriety and
so do l.
After this there was nothing for the
local committee to do but withdraw. So
the matter rested till today when the
president arrived and J. Addison Por-
ter, his secretary. was told of the Incl
dent. He must have Informed the pres
ident. for later Mr.. Harding was called
UP on the telephone by Mr.. Porter and
asked if it were true that newspaper
men would not be admitted to the
mansion. Porter was old Ia it a
and he then informed Mr.. Harding that
the president considered that the
newspaper men were his invited guests
on the trip and hat they were as much
a contingent of the party as members
of the cabinet. Furthermore, Mr.. POr-
ter notified Mr.. Harding that the presi-
lent had authorized him to say that if
newspaper men were barred from the
mansion he would not step his foot in
side the estate This hrOnUht things
to a crisis and Mr.. Harding capitulated
with the best grace possible and the
newspaper men were admitted to the
mansion on the same footing as the
president and his cabinet.
Before going 10 BiltmOre. Represen-
tative Pearson persuaded Mr..
ley to attend a meeting of cOlOred peo-
pie at the Young Mems Institute hall,
the gift of George w. Vanderbilt. The
hall was filled with colored people.
comprising the labOring classes, as well
as local colored politicians and their
| wives and children. With Congress
| man Pearson at his side he shook hands
at a rapid rate for ten minutes with all
who We're presented to him. 1t vas
| very warm work and presently the
president called for air n seven col
| ored men famed him while the hand
shaking want on.
/ Az bIllllioIt liz u tAS VI"
ry Were fingered over with especial de-
light. Mrs. Mckinley was given a
handsome bouquet from Mr.. Wander
bits con~servatOries as she left the cha
teau. The drive continued over the
| French Broad boundaries of the eS-
tate, from the river cottage to the en-
trance lodge. The train was taken at
| Biltmore station and the journey to
| Washington resumed at about 6 o'clock.
Secretary Alger was indisposed from
the extreme heat of the past two days,
but left Asheville somewhat recupera-
1 tod