The times., 1899-12-25
NO WHITE House GAYETY
The President and Mrs. Mckinley
TO Pass Christmas Quietly.
The Only Guests IT the Executive
Mansion II Brother and His Wife
Tomorrow After Having Received
Turkeys and other Presents.

Christmas at the White House this year
viii be remarkably quiet. For some time
Mrs. McKinley's health has been such as
to prevent any plans being made for an
elaborate celebration OF the day. The only
guests expected at he Mansion are Abner
Mckinley, the Presidents brother, and his
wife. who spent Thanksgiving with the
President and Mrs Mckinley, and who will
probably arrive today.
The big doors of the White House were
closed Saturday afternoon, and from that
time until tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock
they win swing open only to the few en-
ployes on duty and to the close personal
friends of the President and Mrs. Mckinley
who may call TO pay their respects.
According to his custom Mr. Mckinley
had presents distributed among the en-
ployes of his household yesterday The
bead OF every family received large tur-
key. while those not so fortunate as TO have
families received presents of various kinds,
which they viii cherish as souvenirs.
All the employees except those who are
actually needed TO carry out work that
could not be postponed even in honor OF
Santa Claus were dismissed at noon Satur-
day, and they will not return TO duty until
Tuesday. The guards and ushers will so
divide their time that not more than one
third OF the usual force win have to remain
on duty.
Christmas coming on the day after Sun
lay. the President will be enabled TO enjoy
a mu, h-needed rest, for in spite of the
fact that Congress has adjourned for two
weeks, there are enough Senators and
Representatives in Washington to keep
him busy receiving them. Then, too, there
are ALWAYS a number of persons who come
to Washington during the holidays, be-
lieving that they will find a better oppor-
tunity Of getting an audience with the
President than at other times. and that
he Will have better opportunity to list-n
10 them. Tomorrow the President viii be
in his office, as usual, and there is utue
doubt but that there will be callers
enough TO keep him engaged all day. The
fewer the callers the longer those who do
call seem to think they have the right to
/ stay. and until Congress reassembles in
January it viii be a rare day that the
President Will have much time to himself.
Mr.. McKinley's regime in the White
House viii be RENE embered as Cne marked
for quiet Christmases. In 1897 the Presi-
dents mother had been dead but a short
time, and there WAS no public celebration.
Last wear a few of the Presidents nephews
and nieces were visitors at the mansion.
but there was no special celebration fur
ther tnan the giving of presents and the
reception OF few callers.
Today Mr.. and Mrs. Mckinley will prob
ably take their usual morning drive. and
later the President will attend divine ser
vice at his church the Metropolitan MethO-
dist. at ur-and-a-half and c Streets
northwest Lunch will be served as usual,
at l o'clock. and in the afternoon a few
callers will probably drop in. Dinner will
be partaken OF at I o'clock. with probably
no other guests than Abner Mckinley and
his wife. After dinner there viii be more
callers. but by 10 o'clock, when the festiyi-
ties in other Washington homes will be at
their height the big mansion VIII be
silent with only lights in the front halls,
where the watchmen are on duty, and in
the telegraph room, where operators re-
main at their post day and night. receiy-
ing dispatches from the Philippines.
During the past week express companies
have been delivering many packages OF
Christmas presents at the White House.
/ These were sent from all parts nt this
/ country. Cuba. Porto Rico. and the Philip
pines, and also from European countries,
( where admirers of the President are So
iourning. Many OF the presents will never
/ be seen by the President. They viii be
stored away by the employees to be given
away later when it is found necessary 10
make room for new gifts.