The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-03
YEAR STARTS HAPPILY
New Years Day Almost a
Thanksgiving Occasion
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
An Unusually Splendid and
Successful Event.

Washington. jan, Jan. 1.-The president
and Mrs Mckinley received the reason
greetings today from the great throng OF
callers. representing every branch of pub
liz life. who attended the white house re-
ception. 1t was the first time since the
nresent administration began that circum-
stances permitted observance or this Gus
tom and this as well as the HAPPY ana
nrosnerous circumstances under which the
wear begins added to the interest and en-
ievment surrounding the event. 1t was an
ideal nfdwinter day, the air crisp and
bracine and the ground covered with snow
The executive mansion was elaoorately
decorated for the event, wealth Oh CUT
overs, palms. ported plants and ferns
Transforming the apartments into DOW
ers of shrubbery and bloom. In the re-
ceiving line with the president and Mrs.
Mckinley were the memberss~ the CAB
met and the cabinet ladies, While BACK
of the line stood many ladies from the
army, navy. congressional and judicial
circles Among the most notable hgures IN
the line Of callers were the foreign am
bassadors and ministers, in their rich d.
plomatic uniforms. Officers of the army
and navy also were in full uniform, giving
a briDiancy and dash to the occasion. The
army group which attracted most atten-
ton was one made up of Major Generals
Miles, Shafter and Lawton and Brigadler
General Corbin, who, after greeting the
presidential party, were invited to join
the receiving party. The reception lasted
something over two hours and was in
every way a successful and happy usher?
ing in of the new year.
At the executive mansion every arrange
uent had been made for the orderly hand
ling Of the great throng which was ex-
pected. The gates TO the grounds were
closed and watchmen stood at intervals
along the broad driveways leading up to
the great portico. Just within the en-
trance to the house, in the conservatory,
was posted the United States Marine band
in their brilliant scarlet uniforms. making
a fine show and renderingg appropriate
music at each stage of the ceremony.
DECORATIONS FLORAL.
The decorations of the interior Of the
stately edifice We're entirely floral. En-
+erinr the central corridor the guests
passed beneath wreaths and festoons OF
smilax. suspended from the crystal cnah-
deliers. while tai rubber plants and palms
berdered the way.
The red narlor. which was set apart
for a reception of the cabinet ana the Oh
nlonatic corps, was handsomely decorat-
ed with ported plants, maiden hairterhs III
crimson jardinieres.
The next of the apartments in order, the
famous Blue parlor. was marvelously
beautiful in its floral adornment. the
heavy curtains were drawn, towering
Mains studded with scarlet poinsetta filled
the southern end Of the room, and flood
Of soft light from the central chandelier
draped with smi,ax poured upon the great
earlands of camelias which adorned the
mantels and the wreaths of ivy and red
holly berries suspended upon the gold
framed mirrors and flaming with tiny glow
OF electric lights. Across the northern end
cot the room row of closely ser, R~ift-
ard-blue touches separated the receiving
party from the lon line of callers.
The green parlor was more simple in its
decorations, which were made up alto
gether Of foliage plants standing in pale
green iardinieres aand a few dwarf palms.
The spacious east room was transformed
for the occasion into a great conservatory
of tall palms and potted plants. masses
of cut flowers and graceful festoons OF
maidenhar fern. on the further side OF
the room wide reaching palm trees rose
out of a bank of dark green and russ OF
foliage. The recessed windows looking to-
ward the Potomac were also filled with
palms touching the ceilngg and clusters
of plants in blossom. From the chandel-
iers hung gar,ands of ferns and galax
leaves. While from the large divan in the
center OF the room rose a profussion OF
rich tropical plants.
THE CABINET SECTION.
Shortly after half past ten o'clock the
members of the cabinet with their families
began to arrive, and closely following
them were the ladies who had been selec-
ted to assist Mrs. Mckinley in the recep-
ton They were shown into the private
reception room, where they left their
wraps and then assembled the stairway Il
the library. Following the members OF
the cabinet came the ladies invited, Their
came the diplomatic corps. ambassadors
etc
THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS.
The German military. naval and civil
attaches. in their various uniforms. added
to the brilliancy of this party. In the alb
ssEce Of NJ. Cambon, the French ambassa-
dor. the French embassy was represented
by trio Of richly decorated officials-Mm
/ Thiobaut. Taigny and Boufva.
There was one very notable feature oil
the French party, in that on the breast ot
each showed for the first time az an Off
Cial function the superb decoration con