Evening star., 1898-01-19
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
An Army of Workmen Preparing for
the Reception.
REGULATIONS FOR TIE EVENING
Not Half the Callers Could See the
President.
RHODE ISLAND OFFICES

An army of workmen was engaged at the
White House today putting everything iii
readiness for the big reception tonight, the
first one under the new administration. In
the east room twenty florists were busy
festooning and banking every appropriate
place with flowers and plants. The room
will be a paradise of beauty 1t is said
that such a quantity Of plants and flowers
has never been placed in that room before
All the other rooms will undergo the same
decoration.
Another force of workmen was engaged
placing rows of cloak and hat boxes in the
vestibule just in front of the main entrance
to the White House. This is a change
from former years. There will be over a
thousand of these boxes. In anticipation
CT rainy night rows of umbrella stands
being put in.
There is a change in the movement of the
guests into and out of the building, as the
following statement will show:
During the reception at the Executive
Mansion this evening carriages will ap-
northwest gate and leave by the northeast
gate. Pedestrians will follow the same
route. Guests will not be admitted to the
grounds until o'clock. excepting the dip
lomatic corps, the members of which will
enter by the southwest gate at 7:45.
Two carriages only will be permitted
to drive under the north portico at the
same time. Coachmen will be provided
with numbered tickets, which must be pre-
served by them in order to regain admit
tance to the grounds. Guests will also be
provided with tickets of the same number
as their carriages. These should be care
1uiiy preserved In order to call their car
riages
1T will prevent confusion and delay if
invited guests who are not well known to
the doorkeepers are prepared to show
n re vy,e he hVyf fha ",
front door: departure over the bridge east
of the north portico
After leaving cloaks in the main vesti-
bule guests are requested to pass through
the private dining room into the state
dlnlng room as far as possible. Owing to
lack of space it has been impossible to
provide separate dressing rooms for la
dies Their wraps should be left with
those of their escorts in the main vesti-
bule."
Long Talk With Gen. Wheeler
So many statesmen went to the White
House today not half of them could be
handled by the President. Many went
away rather than undergo a long wait In
the rooms adjoining that of the President.
Representatives Bankhead, Underwood
ard Plowman of Alabama saw the Presi-
dent to secure change in the position of
a young man in the army. Some time later
the President had long talk with Repre-
sentative Wheeler of Alabama. The Pres!-
dent has always admired the famous old
confederate cavalry leader. and the latter
has returned the admirati mckinley
never had an enemy in the House." says
Gen. Wheeler. The two men served togeth-
er for years in that body and the personal
attachment between them is strong. The
president forgot the surgng for offices to
talk over ''old days" in the House. He re-
members those days with pleasure
Another democrat the President admires
is ex-senator Blackburn of Kentucky They
also served in the House together. The
Presiden: likes Blackburn because he is
frank and open, and an enemy knows
where he stands and where he will strike
Representative Skinner, populst, of North
Carolina. has succeeded in landing his can
di6ate for district attorney of the eastern
district of his state. He saw the President
this morning and the result is that c. NJ
Bernard will secure the position. He has
been Mr.. SINNERS candidate.
Senators Aldrich and Wetmore and Rep
resentatives Bull and Capron of Rhode ISL
and had a conference with the President
about offices in that state which have been
agreed upon by the delegation.
Senator Thurston and General Gown Of
Nebraska were with the President a short
time. General Gown is held in high esteem
at the White House. He has been offered
a number of positions since President Nc
Kinley came in, but has declined each
time. He could have been assistant secre-
tary of war; but declined to come to Wash
ington.
Mr.. Liemer, the artist who is at work on
a clay model of President Mckinley, hopes
to have his work completed in about ten
days. few more sittings of the President
will be necessary. The President has been
too busy to sit as often as the artist de-
sired, and that has delayed the work.
From the clay model plaster of paris cast
will be made. From this cast will come
the bronze busts. The busts will probably
be made in Philadelphia, and number will
be turned out.