Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1899-01-04
THE PRESIDENTS RECEIPT.
BRILLIANT SOCIAL AFFAII
The First New Years Reception of r
ident Mckinley Brilliant Occasi'
Arrangements Complete--Al Natl
Rcprescnted--LRste -Four Hours.

Washington, Jan. 3.-President Mel
ley held his first New Years reception
the White House yesterday. Every
rangement had been made for the ord
handling OF the great throng which
expected. The gates to the grounds of
executive mansion were closed aud wa
men stood at intervals along the br
driveways leading up to the great port
Just within the entrance to the house
the conservatory, was posted the Tn
States marine band. The decorations
the interior Of the stately editice were
tirely floral.
The reception took place in the blue
lor. Shortly after 1890 o'clock mem
of the cabinet, with their families, be
to arrive and closely following them
the ladies who had been selected TO as
Mrs. Mckinley in the reception. I
were shown into the private RECEIPT
room, where they left their wraps
then ascended the stairs to the librt
where they were met by the president
Mrs. Mckinley.
Following the members Of the cabi
came the ladies invited to the blue re
behind the receiving line. They were,
the most part, wives OF senators and
gressmen. Then came the diplomi
corps, ambassadors, ministers and su
in gorgeous uniforms and decorate
characteristic of the foreign repres
tation. At their head was British Ami
sador Sir Julian Pauncefote with Il
Pauncefote, the Misses Pauncefote
the numerous staff of the embassy. N
came the German Ambassador, DR.. '
Holleben. With him walked Baron Sp
Won Sternberg, first secretary of the {
man embassy.
In absence of NJ. Cambon, the Frel
ambassador, the French embassy =,
represented by NJ. Thiebaut, Mime. IT
baut and Tigny Beaufye. There was
very notable feature of the French pa
in that on the breast of each showed
the first time at an official function,
superb decorations conferred on them
the queen regent Of Spain In recognit
Of services in re-establishing peace.
The Russian party included Count {
SIM the ambassador. General Mortvs
the Russian military and naval attac
In full uniform and the suite of the {
bassy. Following came many foreign d,
cations, making cosmopolitan asst
blage OF Turks, in fezzes, Chinese in &
geous oriental silks, Koreans in I
sieve-like hats and Japanese In mode
ized diplomatic uniforms which symbol
Japan's recent forward march In civil
tion.
Promptly at II o'clock the bugler, 8
toned in the central hall, blew a call uI
his instrument and the presidential par
descending the western stairway, ente
the reception room and greeted the diI
matte body. AS the band struck up "H
to the Chief" the preside follow
closely behind Colonel Bingham and G.
tain Gilmore, the masters Of ceremon
passed into the blue parlor and took
places in the receiving line, the presid,
at the head, Mrs. Mckinley next and /
ladies Of the cabinet in the order OF
fetal precedence. In the rtsr were seye
OF the cabinet officers and he ladies
pecially invited by Mrs. McA inley to
sist. The justices of the United Sta
supreme court, who came directly at
the diplomatic corps, were the first. to p
before the line and enter the vast e
room.
Three striking military figures head
the army and navy callers--General Nil
commanding general OF the army; Ma
General Lawton. one Of the heroes
Santiago, who is about to assume m
tary command in the Philippines, a
Brigadier General Corbin, adjutant z,
eral of the army. These officers were
the full uniform Of their high militia
rank.
The public reception lasted until 81.
o'clock, when the doors were closed q
the president and Mrs Mckinley led |
receiving party back to the private qui
tiers Of the mansion. Two hours OF q
tinuous handshaking had passed witho
unpleasant occurrence. Altogether (
reception was regarded as q most aus
cious and happy opening Of the new ye