Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-25
QUIET AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Presidents Recent Bereavement Precludei
Any Public Function.
Similar Air of Rest Pervaded All the
Departments - Where the
Secretaries Dined,

Christmas day at the White House was
the most quiet and peaceful that the man
sion has ever known since the national
capital was reared on the banks of the
Potomac. Through the whole of the per-
feet midwinter day the doors scarcely
swung on their hinges, save for the exit
and entrance of the President and Mrs.
Mckinley. who early in the forenoon went
for short drive about the city.
Owing to the recent bereavement of the
President, all official functions were sus-
pended, and the White House was deserted
by all, save a very few of the house Off
Gals. The only guests were Miss Duncan
and Miss Barber, who have been at the
executive mansion for some days, and these
shared with the President and Mrs Nc
knley the quiet and homelike Christmas
dinner.
Policeman in Lonely Authority.
Even Secretary Porter and the clerks had
deserted the office. and the big policeman
In uniform at the door had things entirely
to himself. save for the company of half a
dozen English sparrows skirmishing In the
sunshine beneath the porto, and a couple
or plain-clothes' policemen, who indus
triously held down easy chairs in the de-
serted corridors. The official members of
tic houSeHoiu were not forgotten, however.
for the President and Mrs. Mckinley pre-
sented to each of the married men among
them a plump Christmas turkey. while all
the bachelors of the force had a neat little
scarf pin apiece by which to remember
the day.
Several Christmas tokens arrived for the
President, the most conspicuous among
them being a big basket of pink roses
fragrant orchids and lilies of the valley
In the Department..
The departments were as thoroughly de.
serted as was the White House. IJsuaIlv
even on holiday a few of the secretaries
will be found at their desks in the great
government buildings. for a holiday is a
sooa time LOT quiet and uninterrupted
work. But this Christmas found not a
single cabinet officer at his post save At
torDey General Mckenna, who, after early
church, walked over to the Department OF
Justice and spent some time at his desk
The Vice President and Mrs. Hobart
spent Christmas day at their home in PAT.
ersCn, N. j.
The Secretary Of State and Mrs. Sher-
man spent the day quietly at their beautl-
members OF their household.
Secretary and Mrs Gage, Secretary and
Mrs. Alger and Secretary and Mrs, Long
observed the day by reunion of the mem
bers Of their respective families at their
residences in this city.
secretary Alger, who has been i'll for
several days with a bad cold, was able to
join his family at the Christmas dinner
The Secretary of Agriculture and Mrs.
Wilson had the pleasure OF the company
of their sons at dinner today at their home
ON S street.
The Postmaster General and Mrs. Gary
spent the day in Baltimore and entertained
a large party of friends at dinner.
The Attorney General and Mrs McKenna
have their three daughters and their son
Lieut. Frank McKenna with them for the
holidays. The Attorney General spent a
part of the day at his Office in Nthe De.
partment of Justice.
Secretary and Mrs. Bliss passed Christ.
mas day at their home in New York and
had several friends to dinner