Daily Kennebec journal., 1899-01-03
THE RECEPTION.
President Holds His First New
Years Reception.
White House Beautifully Decorated
with Flowers for the Occasion.
Two Hours Of Continuous Handshakinq Passed
Without Unpleasant Occurrence.

dUu MIS-. Mchlnlcy received the sea-
sons greetings, today. from great
throng of callers. representing every
branch of public life, who attended the
White House reception. 1t was the
first time since the present adminis-
tration began that circumstances per-
mitted the observance of this reception
and this. as well as the happy and pro-
pitious circumstances under which the
year begins added TO. the interest and
enjoyment surrounding the event. 1t
was an ideal mid-winter day. the air
being crisp and bracing and the ground
covered with snow
The Executive mansion was eIabo-
rate!y decorated for the event, a
wealth of cut flowers palms, potted
plants and ferns Transforming the
apartments into bowers, and shrubbery
and blooms. In the receiving line were
the President and Mrs. Mckinley. the
members of the cabinet and the cabi-
net ladies', while back of the line
stood many ladies from the army,
navy, congressional and judicial cir
cles.
Among the most notable figures in
the line of callers were the foreign am
bassadors and ministers in their rich
diplomatic uniforms. Officers of the
army and navy also We're in full uni
form. The army group which attrac-
ted the most attention was one made
up Of Major Gems. Miles. Shafter and
Lawton. and Brigatiier General Corbin.
who. after greeting the Presidential
party. We're invited to join the receiv-
ing party. The reception lasted some-
thing over two hours and was in every
way a successful and happy ushering
i'm of the new year.
Shortly after 1890 o'clock, the mem-
bers of the cabinet with their families
began to arrive, and closely following
We're the ladies who had been selected
to assist Mrs. Mckinley in the recep-
ton. They We're shown into the pri-
vate reception room after which they
ascended the stairway to the library
where they We're met by the President
and Mrs. Mckinley. Following the
members of the cabinet came the ladies
invitedtbehind the receiving line.
The following named ladies were in
vited to the blue room behind the
line:" Mrs. Porter. Mrs. Bingam, Miss
Williams. the Misses Reynolds, Mrs
Fuller. Mrs. Bate. Mrs. Burroughs.
Mrs. Cullom. Mrs. Daniel. Mrs. Davis,
Mrs. Elkins, Mrs. Fairbanks, Mrs.
Faulkner. Mrs. Frye. Mrs. German,
Mrs. Gray, Mrs. Hanna, Mrs. Hoar.
Mrs. Lodge, Mrs. Mcmillan. Mrs. Mills.
the Misses Morgan, Mrs. o. II. Platt,
Mrs. T. c. Platt. Mrs. Proctor, Mrs.
Teller. Mrs. Wetmore, Mrs. Wolcott,
Mrs. Reed, Mrs. Berry, Mrs. Catchings,
Mrs. Dalzell. Mrs. Grosvenor. Mrs
Henderson, Mrs. Hit. Mrs. Mcclellan.
Mrs. McMillin. Mrs. Marsh, Mrs Payne.
Mrs. Miles. Mrs. Wilson. Mrs. Howell.
Mrs. Haywood. Mrs. General Grant.
Mrs. General Sheridan, Mrs. James H.
Gary, the Misses Gary. Mrs. VIM. r.
Day, Mrs. Whitelaw Reid. Mrs. Par
sons. Mrs. Manning. Mrs. McKittricE.
Then came the diplomatic corps. am
ministers and their suites.
At their head was the British ambas-
sador. Sir Julian Pauncefote with
Lady Pauncefote. The ambassador
greeted the President and Mrs. McKin-
ley most cordially. pausing moment
for an exchange of greetings.
The Russian party included Count
Cassini, the ambassador. who present.
ed his New Years respects for the frs,
time at the White House.
Promptly at ] o'clock. a bugler sta
toned in the Central hall blew a call
upon his instrument, and the Presi-
Dental party descending the. western
stairway. entered the reception room
and greeted the diplomatic body. The
band struck UP Hail to the Chief and
the President followed closely behind
Col. Bingham and Capt. Gilmore. the
master Of ceremonies. passed into the
blue parlOr and took up their places In
Ne n receivins line. II
The President at the head. Mrs. Nc
Kinley next and the ladies' of the cabi-
,et Ia the order of official presetence. |
In the rear were several of the cabi-
leat offfcers and the ladies' invited spec
tally by Mrs. Mckinley to assist be-
mind the line. The justices OF the
United States Aupreme court who
,ame difecfN behind the diplomatic
,Or1ysk were the FIRST to pass before the
Inc fa asenter the vast East room.
i Tho members of the diplomatic corps
EFT the mansion after paying the re-
Ipects to tthe Presidential party. The
senate and House was well represent
"a, although, tMo notable absenteesi
rom the House were noted Speaker
Reed, who is attending the funeral OF
Ifs. only sister ut Portland, and Rep
sDingley. who il i'll. Four 4
trikine figures headed the, army and
avy caflers-Major General Miles. a
fajor General Shafter. Major General
.awton and Adjutant General Corbin.
he officers were In the FUN uniform OF
heir high military rank.
After their greetings were given to
he President and Mrs. Mckinley and !
he receiving party, the President in : :
tied them back of the line. Secretary III
Ilgcr presented the various army of
cials, comprising the many heads Of Z
taft bureaus, and those on the retired
sit. The navy followed, the officers
eing presented by Secretary Long. !;
ant. Robley Evans, Fighting Bob, n
as in the line. $
In rapid succession delegations We're !,
,ceived from the Smithonian and q
ON the various government depart j
ents, veterans OF the Mexican and :,
Continued on page - Ia