The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-01-03
4 6reat Throng Greet President and
Mrs. Mckinley.
Every Branch Of Public Life Represented at
the Reception.
The Executive Mansion deliberately
Decorated for the Occasion
Was an Ideal Midwinter Day,
the Air Crisp and Bracing and
the Ground Covered With Snow.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2.-The Presi-
dent and Mrs. Mckinley received the
seasons greetings 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 Admins
tration began that circumstances per-
mitted observance of this custom, and
this as we'll as the happy and prosper
Gus circumstances under which the
year begins, added to the interest and
enjoyment surrounding the event. 1t
was an ideal mid-winter day, the air
crisp and bracing and the ground COW
cred with snow. The executive man
sion was deliberately decorated for the
event, a wealth of cut flowers palms.
potted plants and ferns Transforming
the apartments into bowers of shrub
berry and bloom.
In the receiving line with the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Mckinley were the men,
bers Of the Cabinet and the Cabinet
ladies, while back of the line stood
many ladies of the army, navy, Con-
gressional and judicial circles Among
the most noticeable figures in the line
of callers were the foreign ambassadors
end Ministers in their rich diplomatic
uniforms. Officers of the army and
navy also were in full uniform, giving
brilliancy and dash to the occasion
The army group. which attracted most
attention, was one made UP of Major
General Miles, Major General Shafter
Major General Lawton and Brigadier
General Corbin, who, after greeting the
Presidential party were invited to join
the receiving party. The reception last
cd something over two hours, and was
II. eV ~ way successful and happy
ushering in Of the new year.
AT the Executive mansion arrange
1nents had been made for the handling
Of the great throng which was expected.
The gates to the grounds We're closed.
and. Wafchmen stood at intervals along
the broad driveway leading up to the
great portico. Just within the entrance
to the house, in the conservatory, was
posted the United States Marine Band
in their brilliant scarlet uniforms, max
ing fine show and rendering appro-
pirate music
The red parlor, which was set apart
for reception of the Cabinet and the
diplomatic corps, was handsomely dec
GRATED with potted plants, maiden hair
ferns in crimson jardine cases. The
next of the apartments in order, the
famous blue parlor, was marvelously
beautiful in its adofnment. The heavy
curtains were drawn, turning pale and
studded with scarlet poinzetta filed the
southern end Of the room, and flood of
soft light from the central chamber
draped with smilax, poured upon the
great garlands of camelias which
adorned the mantels and the wreaths
of ivy and red hollyberries suspended
upon the gold framed mirrors and fam
ing with the tiny glows of electric
lights. Across the northern end of the
room row of closely set gilt and blue
couches separated the receiving party
from the long line of callers
The green parlor was more special in
Its decorations, made up altogether of
foliage plants, standing in pale green
5ardine cases and forward of the palms.
Shortly after half past 10 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
They were shown into the private re-
ception room, where they left their
wraps, and then assembled the stairway
to the hallway, where they met Presi-
dent and Mrs. Mckinley Then came
the diplomatic corps, ambassadors,
Ministers and their suites in the gor-
geous uniforms and decorations char
acteristic of the foreign representation.
At their head was Sir Julian Paunce-
fote, the British ambassador, with
Lady Pauncefote, the Misses Paunce-
fote and the numerous staff of the EN-
bassy.
The ambassador greeted the Presi-
dent and Mrs Mckinley most cordially,
pausing moment for an exchange of
Anglo-American greetings. Sir Julian
wore a close fitting coat, the breast
heavily corded and embroidered in gold
with chapeau under his arm, and gold
mounted sword at his side. He showed
the effects of his recent serious attack
of the grippe and moved about with
some effort
Then came the German ambassador,
DR.. Won Holleben, in the German dip
lomatic uniform of highest rank, with
its abundance of gold lace and medals
of distinction With him walked Baron
Speck Won Sternberg, First Secretary of
the German Embassy, in the brilliant
blue uniform of the imperial guard,
with high top boots, cossack, fur hat
and tall silver pompon. The German
military, naval and civil attaches, in
their uniforms, added to the brilliancy
Of this party.
In the absence of M. Cambon, the
French ambassador, the French En-
bassy was represented by a trio of
richly decorated officials-M. Thiebaut,
Taigny and Beufve. There was one very
notable feature of the French party, in
that on the breast of each showed for
the first time an official function, the
superb decorations conferred on them
by the Queen Regent of Spain for their
services in re-esta blishing peace.
The decorations consisted of jeweled
crosses of the order of Pabella Cafolica,
SUSPENDED from wide tricoIored ribbons
showing the colors of Spain.
The Russian party included Count
cassmf the tall and distinguished En-
bassaaor, who presented his New
Years respects for the first time at the
White House; General Mortvazo. the
Russian military and naval attache. IN
fun UNIFORM, and the large suite Of the