The news & observer., 1897-03-06
He Was the First Caller on the
New President.
cLAMoRoUs THOUSANDS
THAT GATHERED YESTERDAY
AROUND THE WHITE HOUSE.
ONLY TWO oFFIcE-sEEKERs
The President and Speaker Reed in
-CIeveland's Cab
met Among the Many
Callers.

Washington, d. c., March 5.-Presi-
dent Mckinley was on the move at an
early hour this morning. lie greeted the
White House officials at 80 o'clock and
breakfasted at with the family party,
including his wife, mother and other near
relatives. Then he smoked a cigar and
at o'clock entered the Presidents pri-
vate Office to begin coping with the flood
Of public business.
Already the crowds Of people had be-
gun to arrive, clamoring at the main en-
trance to the executive mansion for nd
mission. The doors were kept closed
against the general crowd until 10 o'clock,
but in the meantime number of callers,
having special business, gained admission.
The first caller was Gen. COwles, Of
North Carolina, who came at o'clock
to arrange for a review of the North
Carolina delegation. About $50 the Of
fetal visitors began to put in their ap-
pearance.
At 10 o'clock six Of the members OF
Mr.. Cleveland's retiring cabinet called
in a body. The party included Messrs.
Carlisle, Lamont, Wilson, Herbert, Har-
mon, Francis and Morton. They wera
shown directly to the President and spent
quarter of an hour with him. 1t was
call of courtesy and Of kindly exchange.
About half past 10 O'Clock Secretary
Olney came over from the State De-
partment
Senator Sherman, who is to succeed
to the Office of Secretary of State, had
given Mr.. Olney notice that he would
not be prepared to begin the discharge
Of his duties until next Monday and at
the request of the President Mr. Olney
consented to remain at the head of the
State Department until that time.
Meantime the crowds in front Of the
executive mansion had swelled to thou
sands. They surged up to the portico,
surrounding the doors in solid masses and
extending in both directions down the
long semi-circular drive ways to the
outer aates They came with bands
playing and flags flying. One Of the first
organizations to call was that made up
of the veterans who served with Mai.
Mckinley in the Twenty-third Ohio
Volunteer infantry. The President wish
ed to greet his old comrades personally
and they filed into the East room.
uC NlONuS DuNSluC udu now STOWn
clamorous and with the confused music
Of several bands We're mingled the con-
tinued shouts from hundreds of throats.
1t was apparent that the throng never
could get within the White House. Realiz-
ing this situation, the President called
for his hat and overcoat and stepped
through the front door to the marble
portieo. A great shout went up as he
made his appearance. Hats were thrown
in the air, handkerchiefs and umbrellas
We're waved franticaIly, the ladies joining
in the ovation. The President bowed
repeatedly as the cheers continued. Then
the clubs swung into line and with bands
playing marched under through the arch
Of the portico, each man uncoyering ais
he passed.
The upper corridors leading to the
Presidents Office continued to be crowd
ed with anxious callers, but only a few
of them were able to gain admission.
The pressure Of callers was such that
the officials felt that little would be ac-
complished towards cOnsummating off,
cial action on various questions expected
TO receive attention.
Speaker Reeds visit with the President
was an extended one. lasting more than
half an hour Little doubt was felt that
it was in connection with the calling Of
Congress in extra session on March Is,
and with the speedy passage Of a tariff
bill through the House Of Representa-
tives.
AT 2 o'clock the outer doors were closed
against the general crowd, to the disap-
pointment Of large number of people
who gathered throughout the afternoon
and stood in the rain in hope Of catching
4 glimpse Of the chief executive.
All through the afternoon the callers
came in and all were received by the
President when they were properly ac-
credited. Yet it was remarkable fact
that in the whole number of visitors
through the day there were only two per-
IONS who presented applications for office.
Mrs. Mckinley bore the days ordeal
very well indeed. She breakfasted
lown stairs and insisted on shaking hands
With some of the callers upon her hus-
)and.