The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-01-22
HIS FIRST Reception.
President Mckinley Welcomes Guests
to the White Honse.


Washington. Jan. 20.-The first Of
fetal reception Of the present admins
tration was given at the white house
Wednesday evening. Aside from the
fact that il was the first, interest in the
event centered in the new method of
distributing the invitations, so that
only certain portion of those en-
titled to the hospitality of the executive
mansion would be entertained in a sing
gle evening. The plan, so far as could
be judged from appearances, was an
entire success. While 1000 invitations
had been distributed, and, in spite of
very rainy evening, everyone who was
Invited appeared, there was no crush in
any part Of the house during the even
ing and the whole affair was commented
upon as one of the most pleasant and
least laborious Of the big gatherings
that has ever occurred in the mansion.
When the invitations were first issued
and IL was seen that precedent was to
be made by the omission of naming the
diplomatic corps as the especial guests
OF honor, people wondered what would
be the outcome so far as the foreigners
themselves were concerned, since il was
known that the corps individually and
collectively is a stckler in all matters
Of official etiquette. AS il turned out
the diplomats were moved TO put in
protest on this score. with the result
that they were subsequently notified
through the state department that
special concession would be made In
iheir honor, and while the invitations
failed to name them The guests OF honor
ct the first card reception, as has here
tofore been the custom, they would be
accorded a special and private recep-
ton at s;l5 o'clock
The other guests hidden TO the recep-
tion were invited from nine 10 eleven
o'clock, so that when the senator's, rep
resentatiyes and soaety people invited
were al length ushercd into the pres
cnce OF the president, Mrs Mckinley
and the receiving party, the gorgeous
pageant Of the diplomats in full court
dress, blazing with orders, was already
a matter Of ancient history But the
diplomats were still there in all their
splendor, and everyone anxious to see
the array OF gold lace and decorations
Of honor which the foreigners wear in
such profusion was able 10 do so with
out Inconvenience
The receiving party consisted Of the
president and Mrs. Mckinley, the vice
president and Mrs. Hobart and the
members aud ladies of the cabinet. All
Of these were present except Secretary
Alger, who was still too iii to venture
out, and Mrs. Bliss and Mrs. Long. each
Of whom was represented by her daugh-
ter. When the house party entered from
the upper hall il was noted that Mrs
Mckinley was leaning on the arm Of
the president reversing the usual rule
by which the president escorts the wife
OF the vice president and the latter the
mistress OF the white house.
The receiving party stood in the blue
parlor. Col. Bingham and Lieut. Gill
more presented the guests The recep-
ton Of the diplomatic corps came first
Sir Julian Pauncefote, MS the dean Of
the corps, led the way, but did not, as
customary, remain TO present his coll
leagues to the president The whole
party from the British embassy con-
tinued through to the east room and
left the white house almost immediate
~. Practically all Of the diplomatic
corps were present, including the Span
ish minister Contrary 10 expectation
there were a number Of guests admit
ted with the receiving party back Of the
line, most OF them being guests of the
cabinet families and members Of the
diplomatic corps.