The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-03
Mckinley Wanted No Display, and His
Wishes Were Regarded, Except by
"Old SOL" Who Shone Brightly.
DINNER At THE WHITE HOUSE
AT WHICH THE PRESIDENT-ELECT
WAS THE ONLY GUEST.
Mrs. Mckinley Unable to Accept the
Clevelands' Hospitality Owing to
nIness-The Majors Mother.
special 70 The Indianapolls journal.

Special 10 the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, March 2.-The Presi-
dent-elect and the Vice President-elect are
both in the city. having arrived to-day.
No formal demonstration ATTENDED the
entry of either 10 the city. both Major Nc
Kinley and Mr.. Hobart preferring that no
military escort should attend them The
sun, however, came out behind the clouds
in time to give them a greeting. Grand
ma Mckinley attracted quite as much
attention and enthusiasm as the President
elect when the presidential train rolled into
the Sixth-street station this morning. She
was the first of the party TO alight upon
the platform. a smile lighted up her
motherIy face and her eyes shone with
excitement. Those gathered at the depot
to welcome the new President cheered
Grandma Mckinley with great enthusiasm.
She appeared almost frightened but finally
bowed in the direction from whence came
the loudest cheers. The reception commit
tee had heard that grandma was an invalid
and therefore thoughtfully sent to the de-
pot a wheeled chair which the attendants
drew up before her. She examined il with
some amusement and directed that il be
taken away, saying that she was able to
walk, and walk she did, reaching the car
riage in waiting under the escort of a
member of the reception committee.
A great crowd lined the avenue between
the station and the Ebbitt House. the tenn
porary home of the McKinleys. The
President-elect was greeted with cheers
the entire distance. Grandma" Mckinley
had full share in the welcome. "A happier
old lady does not live to-day than she. Her
white thin hand was in the air most of
the time waving acknowledgements of the
plaudits of the multitude. In short,
Grandma Mckinley has won the town.
When Major Mckinley appeared the
crowd burst into great applause. which he
promptly acknowledged. He looked like
very contented and happy man. He made
no effort to conceal his satisfaction at the
demonstration with which he was met.
Mrs. Mckinley alghted from the train a
moment later. She appeared feeble and
leaned on the arm of her husband. AS they
passed along the platform they bowed
smilingly to the train hands and members
of the crew. When they reached the loco
motive the engineer was leaning out of his
cab. Mrs. Mckinley handed him bouquet
of flowers plucked from her gown. The
engineer, though taken aback, recovered
Immediately and acknowledged the
thoughtful kindness of the coming "first
lady of the land" with profound bow.
That bouquet will become an heirloom In
his family.
AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
President Cleveland and Mrs. Cleveland
tonight entertained at dinner President
elect Mckinley. The invitation, which,
while not novelty is not always usual to
a change of administration, was extended
through Secretary Porter several days ago,
h,rt To lata aff n
doubtful whether or not it could be carried
out, owing to the indisposition of President
Cleveland. Word came TO Mr.. Porter, at
the Ebbitt House, however about O'clock
that the President had so far recovered
from his rheumatic attack as to be able to
carry out the engagement. which was re-
newed in pressing form. Therefore n hand
some brougham, the same that had con-
veyed the President-eIect from the station
to his hotel this morning, stood at the door
way of the Ebbitt about o'clock tonight
The President-elect emerged from the hotel
at 7:30 and was greeted with cheers by the
crowd which formed on either side of a
lane on the sidewalk. He took his seat in
the carriage in company with Secretary
Porter and was driven in few minutes to
the White House.
1t was expected that Mrs. Mckinley
would accompany her husband to the din
ner. but, owing TO the exhaustion that fol-
lowed the exciting events of the Journey
from Canton and the day in Washington.
she was unable to do So At the White
House Mr.. Porter left the President-elect
at the inner doorway and the latter entered
at once the Red parlor, where he was
greeted cordially by President Cleveland.
who had been in waiting with Mrs. CIeve-
land for the purpose Without delay dinner
was announced and the party retired to the
private dining room, where a suitable re-
past had been prepared. There was nothing
elaborate in the dinner or the decorations.
Mrs. Cleveland mad given her personal at
tention to the arrangements, and the table
decorations and menu were exceedingly
simple and in good taste. Freed from the
restraining influence of others. the retiring
and incoming Presidents and Mrs CIeve-
land chatted without formality, and with
out doubt the President-elect received many
hints as to the easiest manner to bear the
burdens of the responsibilities that will be
imposed on his family in the management
of the White House during the next four
years.
Major Mckinley left the White House
about 10 o'clock and Immediately returned
to the Ebbitt- There being nothing definite
known as to the time of his return no
crowd had collected about the hotel doors
The major quickly alighted from his car
riage. hurried through the corridor and
took the elevator for his apartments. where
he remained the rest of the evening.
While President Cleveland was extending
these courtesies TO his successor. the Vice
Presidsnt-elect was entertaining Secretary
Porter and some chosen friends at dinner at
the Arlington Secretary Olney also pro-
vided a bounteous dinner and invited some