The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-03
DIPLOMATS IN SNOWY DRESS
AND WARRIORS IN GORGEOUS UNI
FORMS GIVE COLOR TO THE SCENE.
Miles, Shafter, LawtOn and COrbin
Create a stir-NO Unpleasant Incl
dent Mars the Reception.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2-The President and
Mrs. Mckinley received the seasons greet
ings to-day from the great throng of callers
representing every branch of public life, who
attended the White House reception. 1t was
the first time since the present administration
began that circumstances permitted of the
observance of this custom, and this, as well
as the happy and propitious circumstances
under which the year begins, added to the
interest and enjoyment surrounding the
event 1t was an ideal midwinter day, the
air crisp and bracing and the ground COW
| cred with snow. The Executive Mansion
was elaborately decorated for the event,
wealth of cut flowers, palms, potted plants
and ferns transforming the apartments into
bowers of shrubbery and bloom. In the re-
ceiving line with President and Mrs. Nc
Kinley were the members of the Cabinet
and the Cabinet ladies, while back of the
line stood many ladies from the army, navy,
| congressional and judicial circles Among
the most notable figures in the line of call
ers were the foreign ambassadors and min
listers, in their rich diplomatic uniforms.
officers of the army and navy also were in
full uniform, giving a brilliancy and dash
to the occasion. The army group which at
Major Generals Miles, Shafter and Lawton,
and Brigadier General Corbin, who, after
greeting the presidential party, We're in
vited to join the receiving party. The re-
ception lasted something over two hours
and was in every way a successful and hap
py ushering in of the new year.
Every arrangement had been made at
the White House for the orderly handling
of the great throng V hich was expected.
The gates to the grounds were closed
and watchmen stood at intervals along the
broad driveways leading up to the great
portco. The United States Marine Band,
rendering appropriate music at each stage
of the ceremony, was posted in the con-
servatory The decorations of the interior of
the stately ediice were entirely arboreal and
floral. The Red Parlor which set apart
for the reception of the Cabinet and the
diplomatic corps, was handsomely decorated
with potted plants, maiden hair ferns in
crimson jardinieres. The next of the apart
ments in order, the famous Blue ParlOr, was
marvelously beautiful in its floral adorn-
ment. The Green Parlor was more simple in
its decorations which were made up alto
gether of foliage plants standing in pale
green jardinieres and a few dwarf palms.
The spacious East Room was transformed for
occasion
tall palms and potted plants, masses of cut
flowers and graceful festoons of maiden
hair' fern.
BEHIND THE LINE.
Shortly after 1880 o'clock the members
of the Cabinet with their families, began to
arrive, and closely following them were the
ladies who had been selected to assist Mrs.
Mckinley in the reception. They were shown
into the private reception room, where they
left their wraps and then ascended the
stairway to the library, where they were
met by the President and Mrs. Mckinley.
Following the members of the Cabinet came
the ladies invited, behind the receiving line.
They were Mrs. Porter, Mrs. Bingham, Miss
Barber. Miss Mabel Mckinley Miss Nc
Williams the Misses Reynolds. Mrs. Fuller,
Mrs. Bate, Mrs. Burrows, Mrs. Cullom, Mrs.
Daniel, Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Elkins, Mrs Fair
banks Mrs. Faulkner, Mrs. Frye, Mrs. Cor
man, Mrs. Gray, Mrs. Hanna, Mrs. Hoar,
Mrs. Lodge, Mrs. Mcmillan Mrs. Mills, the
Misses Morgan, Mrs. Q. B. Platt, Mrs. 7.
c. Platt, Mrs. Proctor, Mrs. Teller Mrs.
Wetmore, Mrs. Wolcott Mrs. Reed, Mrs
Berry, Mrs Catchings, Mrs. Dalzen Mrs.
Grosvenor, Mrs. Henderson, Mrs. Hit Mrs
Mcclellan, Mrs. Mcmillan, Mrs Marsh,
Mrs. Payne, Mrs. Steele, Misses Wheeler,
Mrs Miles, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Howell, Mrs
Haywood, Mrs. General Grant, Mrs. General
Sheridan, Mrs James A. Gary, the Misses
Gary, Mrs. VIM r. Day, Mrs. White
law Reid, Mrs. Parsons, Mrs. Manning and
Mrs. McKittick
Promptly at II o'clock a bugler stationed
in the central hall blew a call upon his in
strument and the presidential party de-
scendng the western stairway, entered the
reception room and greeted the diplomatic
body, which had just arrived. The band
struck up Hail to the Chief" and the Pres
ident following closely behind Col. Bingham
and Captain Gilmore. the master of cere-
monies, passed into the Blue Parlor and
took their places in the receiving line, the
President at the head, Mrs. Mckinley next
and the ladies of the Cabinet in the order
of official precedence. In the rear were sew
eral Of the Cabinet officers and the ladies
invited especially by Mrs. Mckinley to as
sist behind the line.
THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS
At the head Of the diplomatic corps in the
reception room was the British Ambassador,
Sir Julian Pauncefote with Lady Paunce-
fotc. the Misses Pauncefote. and the numer-
Gus staff of the embassy The ambassador
greeted the President and Mrs. Mckinley
most cordially pausing a moment for an
exchange Of Anglo-American greetings. Sir
Julian wore a close-ftting coat, the breast
heavily corded and embroidered in gold,
with chapeau under his arm and gold
mounted sword at mis- side. lie showed the
effect Of his recent serious attack OF the
grippe and moved about with some effort.
Then came the German ambassador. DR..
Won HolIeben. in the German diplomatic
uniform of the highest rank, with its abund-
ance Of gold lace and medals Of distinction.