New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-03
rgE PRESIDENTS RECEPTION
r,,.xr OPENING OF THE NEW YEAR
AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
,,.s-,cr,s. DIPLOMATS. ARMY AND NAVY Off
. .coxcRrssMEN AND THE GENERAL
prRILc PAY THEIR RESPECTS TO
MR.. AND MRS. MKINLEy.

rrprrc PAY THEIR RESPECTS TO
Mr. AND MRS MKINl.Ey.
..,r,on Ian The President and Mrs. Nc
-. -ecoived the seasons greetings to-day from
~. Great throne Of callers, representing every
,,ch Of public life. who attended the White House
~n,,on II was the first time since the present
,sr,s,raton began that circumstances permit
~ .re observance OF this custom. and this as
-, os the propitious circumstances under which
~ year begins added to the interest and enjoy
-, surrounding the affair 1t was an ideal mid
inter day the air being crisp and bracing and
,Ao Ground covered with snow. The Executive
,,.rs,on was deliberately decorated. a wealth Of
- flowers palms. potted plants and ferns trans
ming the APARTMENTS into bowers OF shrubbery
"a bloom In the receiving line were the Presi-
d.r, and Mrs Mckinley the members OF the Cab!-
-. and the women OF the Cabinet circle. while back
:, the line stood many women from the Army.
Tovv. Congressional and Judicial circles Among
40 mos; notable figures in the line of callers were
,he foregn Ambassadors and Ministers in their rich
automatic uniforms. officers Of the Army and
Navy also were in full uniform. The Army group
which attracted most attention was made UP OF
Generals Miles Shafter. Lawton and Corbin. who.
ster greeting the Presidential party. were invited
% ,ojn the receiving party. The reception lasted
over two hours. and was in every way success
mi and happy usherng in OF the new year.
A. the Executive Mansion every arrangement had
heen made for the orderly handling of the great
grounds were closed. and watchmen stood at inter
vas along the broad driveways leading up 10 the
great porticO. In the conservatory was posted the
Marine Band in brilliant scarlet uniforms. making
a fine show and playing appropriate music at each
stage OF the ceremony.
THE FLORAL DECORATIONS.
Entering the central corridor. the guests passed
beneath wrea,hs and festoons of smilax, suspended
from the crystal chandeliers. while tall rubber
nall Red
Parlor which was set apart for the reception Of
the Cabinet and the Diplomatic Corps, hand
sonelv decorated with potted plants and maiden
hair ferns in crimson jardnieres. The next Of the
apartments in order. the famous Blue Parlor. was
beautiful in It's floral adornments. The heavy cur
tains were drawn, towering palms studded with
scarlet poinseita filed the southern end of the
room and a food Of soft light from the central
chandelier draped with smilax poured on the great
carlands of csmeas which adorned the mantels
and the wreaths Of ivy and red holly berries sus-
pended on the gold-framed mirrors, flaming
with tiny globes of electric light. Across the
northern end Of the Of closely set gilt
and blue cOuches separated the receiving party
from the long line of callers The Green Paror
was more simple in its decorations which were
made up altogether of foliage plants, standing in
pae-green jardiniares. and few dwarf palms. The
spacious East Room was transformed for the oc-
oason into a great conservatory OF tall palms and
noted plants masses Of cut flowers and graceful
festoons OF madenhair ferns. on the further side
Of the wide-reaching palm trees rose out OF Il
bank of dark-green and russell foliage Inc re-
cessed windows looking toward the Potomac also
were filled with palms touching the ceiling ana
clusters Of poinsettia From the chandeliers hung
sarands Of ferns and galax leaves. while from the
large divan in the centre of the room rose pro-
fusion Of rich tropical plants
THE RECEIVING PARTY.
Shortly after 1880 o'clock the members OF the
Cabinet with their families. began to arrive. and
closely following them were the women who had
been selected TO assist Mrs Mckinley IN the re-
ception They were shown into the private recep-
,ion-room where they left their wraps. and then
assembled the stairway to the library. where they
were met by the President and Mrs Mckinney
Following the members of the Cabinet came the
women invited behind the receiving line
The following were invited to the Blue Room
..hehind the line" Mrs. Porter Mrs Bingham.
Miss Barber Miss Mabel Mckinley, Miss Williams
the Misses Reyn lids. Mrs. Fuller Mrs. Bate. MIS-.
Burrows Mrs. Cullom. Mrs Daniel, Mrs. DAVIS
Mrs Elkins Mrs Fairbanks Mrs. Faulkner. Mrs
Frye Mrs. German. Mrs. Gray. Mrs Hanna MIS-
Hoar Mrs Lodge. Mrs. Mcmillan. Mrs. Mis- the
Misses Morgan Mrs. O. H. Plat; Mrs 7. C. Patt'
Mrs Proctor. Mrs. Teller. Mrs. Wetmore, Mrs
Wolco,t Mrs. Reed. Mrs Berry. Mrs Catchings'
Mrs Dalzeu Mrs Grosyenor. Mrs Henderson,
Mrs HIT Mrs Mcclellan, Mrs McM.liin' MIS-.
Marsh Mrs. Payne. Mrs. Steele. the Misses
Wheeler Mrs. Miles Mrs. Wilson, Mrs Howell
Mrs Haywood, Mrs Grant Mrs. Sheridan MRS
James A. Gary the Misses Gary, Mrs. William H.
Day Mrs. Whitelaw Reid. Mrs. Parsons MIS-
Manning Mrs McKttrck.
Then came the Diplomatic Corps Ambassadors
Ministers and their suites in the gorgeous UNIFORMS
and decorations characteristic OF the foresh repre-
sentatiyes. Al their head was the British AmDas-
sador Sir Julian Pauncefote with Lady Paunce-
tote the Misses Pauncefote and the numerous stan
Q, the Embassy The Ambassador greeted the
President and Mrs. Mckinley most cordially paus-
ing moment for exchange or Anglo-Ameiican
greetings Sir Julian wore close-htting coat the
breast heavily corded and embroidered IN goa
with chapeau under his arm and gold-mounted
sword at his side. He showed the effect OF MS
recent serious attack Of the grip, and moved ABOUT
with some effort Then came the German Ainoas-
sador, Dr.. Holleben. in the German dipiomau,
uniform OF highest rank with its abundance Oh
gold lace and medals of distinction with MIN
walked Baron speck Won S;ernberg, Secretary OF
the German Embassy in the brilliant blue uniform
Of the Imperial Guard with high top boots COS
sack fur hat and tall silver pompon. The German
military. naval and civil attaches I'm their various
uniforns. added the brilliance OF TINS party III
the absence Of NJ. Cambon. the French Ambassa-
dor. the French Embassy represented by
trio Of richly decorated officals-MM. Thiebaut'
Taigney and B0ufye. They wore for the nrst
tine al an official function. the superb decorations
conferred on them by the Queen Regent OF SPAN
ior their services Ia establishing peace Inc
decorations consisted of jewelled crosses OF the
Order Of Isabella Catollca suspended from wide
u.coored ribbons. showing the colors OF SPAIN.
HE Russian party included Count Cassni. the Tan
ana distinguished Ambassador. who presented , nis
Ne" Years respects for the first time al the w sv
mouse General MertwagO. the Russian nllildly
sne naval atache. In fun uniform, ana the Id, - 80
slaH Of the Embassy. Following these came tns
olhrF foreign delegations making a cosmopon,a"
sssembiage OF Turks in fees, Cinnamon IN eoi
keeus oriental silks coreaEs in tan sieNehke Hs3
ssha japanese IN the mOdernized diplomatic ui,is
,ofms which symbolic Japans recent ior"aiu
march IN civilization.
ENTRANCE OF THE PRESIDENT.
Promptly al II O'Clock a bugler stationed IN the
central hall blew a call and the Presidents party
descending the western stairway. entered the re-
eeption-room and greeted the diplomatic boay.