The times., 1899-02-23
THE WHITE House
PUBLIC RECEPTION
The Mansion Thrown Open for
a Night to All.
How Mrs. Mckinley Shook Hands
With the Children.
One Of the Most brilliant and Pleas
ant Affairs OF the Kind
Ever Given.


pitable beacons, and beyond their radiance
lies the simple grandeur Of the Republic
and the cordial welcome of its head. 1t is
not an occasion for pomp or ceremony; the
first principles of the nation are adhered
TO and all who will. regardless of class
color or condition. may greet in their own
spirit the man who, by the voice OF the
people. has been elevated TO the first place
In the land.
Last night marked this occasion for the
year of 1899. The event was deferred for
4 time owing 10 the blizzard of last week,
which rendered the streets of the city i'm
passable on the date originally set for the
reception. There was some disappoint-
ment among those who thought that the
plan had been abandoned, but nothing was
lost by the delay. The attendance last night
was, perhaps, larger than il would have
been a week ago. and certainly there have
been few public receptions in the history OF
the White House which were more thor
oughly enjoyable and enjoyed
Over three thousand people felt the
warm handclasp and heard the courteous
words of greeting of President Mckinley
last night. For over two hours a steady
stream passed before him. and for each he
had a word of greeting and a hearty shake
gentle, courteous smile, and gracious
word which made one feel the personal
charm of the President
Every preparation had been made for
the entertainment of the public. The mag
nitlcent East Room of the Executive Man
sion had been lavishly decorated with cut
flowers, palms, ferns. and smilaX, and the
rest OF the building was in keeping with
its appearance. The Marine Band, under
the leadership Of Director Santelmann, was
stationed in the entrance TO the conserva-
tory. and the Second Regiment Band was
placed in an outer corridor.
There were many notables present. Lord
Charles Beresford, the Irishman who has
become England's foremost naval COM
mander, and one of her ablest diplomats
was warmly greeted by the President as ne
among the first, passed down the line.
Maj. Gen. Nelson A. Miles. Commanding
the Army, shook hands with Mr.. Mckinley
and the ladies of the Cabinet and held a re-
ception in the Red Parlor which promised
for a time 10 rival the Presidents own.
The Russian Ambassador, Count Cassini,
followed Lord Beresford down the line and
afterward cordially greeted the English
representative and advocate of the open
door in China, and the Korean and ia
panese Ministers followed him. Justices
Brown, Harlan. and McKenna representec
the United States Supreme Court; Adju-
tant General Corbin, soldier OF beauty. IN
gold and blue, made it impossible TO forget
the War Department, and there were Sen
ators, Representatives, and other promi-
nent personages too numerous to mention
There were many children in the line,
which al one time extended from the door
of the Mansion far beyond the War De-
partment. and with these little tots Mrs.
nraIEN ~ b. ~faWa hE
President stood in the Blue Room, made
a point of shaking hands. At other times,
however she held in both hands bouquet
of white roses and greeted each passer
with a smile and an inclination of the
head.
At first numerous hands were extended
TO her, as the individuals passed the Presi-
dent. and she could not overlook them.
After a little while, however, Mrs. Hobart
hit upon a happy scheme that worked
charmingly and relieved Mrs. Mckinley
of the fatigue of shaking hands with all
comers. With the friendly, gracious man.
ner. which is one of her many charms, the
Vice President wife held out her hand
in readiness to exchange clasp with the
guest as soon as the President was
through with his greeting, and during The
evening her courtesy did not flag
The greatest delight OF the guests, aftel
greeting the President, was in walking
through the mansion. All of the lowel
floor had been thrown open, including th'
beautiful conservatories and all during tbs
evening a constant stream of men anC
women walked through the aisles formed
by plants and flowers. Director Santel
mann played the liveliest of music anC
there was life and sprightliness in tht
heels of the merry maidens and joyous
youths who walked dancingly down tn,
fowery ways. the green leaves of waving
palms brushing rosy cheeks and the merr!
babble Of youthful voices mingling will
the music.
The spirit OF the enjoyment was infec
tious and it spread from the conservator,
through the parlors of the East Room an,
out into the corridors. Until II o'clocl
the line was apparently unending, an
then, when it did break off and the recep
tion was over. there was feeling Of re
gret Altogether, there have been few pub
lie receptions at the White House whic
have been more thoroughly enjoyed.
As the fanfare OF trumpets announce
the approach of the Presidential party, tn
guests who had gathered in the main cor
ridor stood beside the palm-hedged wal
or before the golden gate to witness ther
descend the grand stairway. Preceded a
usual by Colonel Bingham and Captai
Gilmore, the President and Mrs. McKin
ley passed through the gate and entere
the Blue Room, where Mrs. Mckinley too
her accustomed seat on one of the blu
and gold chairs. while the ladies' of tn
Cabinet. all of whom were present ex
cept Mrs. Gage stood beside her In line
Mrs. Mckinley was attired in the hand
soonest of her seasons gowns, and whicl
she first appeared in at the reception il
honor Of the Diplomatic Corps The 81
4
lavender color was draped about the hig
bodice with point lace. and her jewel
were pearls and diamonds. cluster of tn
latter gems fastening the white aigrett
in her hair.
Mrs. Hobart, white silk, on which wa
strewn clusters OF violets in natural co.
ors, each blossom so perfect in effect a
to suggest to a locker on that a foris
rather than mOdiste had created the ex
quisite gown. The low bodice scintillate
with diamonds. and, in addition TO a do
collar OF the same flashing gems. Mrs
Hobart wore several other large and beau
tiful jewels.
Mrs. Hay, amethyst satin embroidere
with daisies in garland effect, each whit
blossom with its stems and tendri.s out
lined with threads Of gold. Jewels, dia
monds, and pearls.
Mrs. Alger. pearl tinted satin brocad
and point lace. dog collar of black we've
crusted with diamonds. Like Mrs McKin
ley, she carried a bouquet
Mrs. Griggs was almost girlishly prett
In rose petal satin and lace.
Mrs Smith, blue brocade, combined wit
black and white lace
Miss Long. pearl tinted satin, with ar
tistic touches of pink.
Miss Wilson, pink satin and point lac'
Countess EsterhaZy gave an informs
musicale in her apartments al the Evere
on Tuesday evening when the music;
numbers were contributed by Miss Graz
Boutelle. Miss Harlan. and the Chevali.
Irentenoye- Miss Harlan sang sever;