The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-13
WHITE HOUSE EXERCISES
tH b.
Governors of States and Territories
Greeted by the President.
Initial Ceremonies of the Centennial
Celebration mt the Executive Man
sion n-Addrcsxcs by Commissioners
Mncrarlnnd and Governor Shaw. of
lown Colonel BinEham's Plans.

In the presence of distinguished gath
ering OF stat smen, jurists, soldiers. and
citizens, the initial ceremonies in connec-
tion with the Centennial celebration were
held yesterday morning at the White
House. 1t was especially fitting that the
first events upon the programme of the
days festivities should be held at the
historic mansion which has been the
home of every Chief Executive of the ma
ton with the single exception Of George
Washington, for whom the Federal city
was named. The scene in the famous East
! Room. where the principal functions of the
morning were held, was one Illustrative Of
the growth, development, and progress Of
the country, in fact. of its inherent
strength and greatness.
There were assembled the Chief
Magistrate, William Mckinley, surround
ed by his official family, the Cab
met Ministers, also the representatives
OF the judicial. and legislative branches Of
the Government in the persons Of members
OF the Supreme Court and Of the Senate
and House of Representatives.. together
with officers Of the army and navy and a
large concourse Of prominent citizens. Be-
States and Territories were represented by
their Governors and the members of their
respective staffs. In speeches appro-
pirate to the occasion were told in brief
some OF the important accomplishments Of
the past century. and with particular refer
ence to the city of Washington. Address
es were delivered by Col. Theodore A.
Bingham. Commissioner Henry B. f. Mac
farland. and Gov. Leslie NJ. Shaw, of Iowa.
Spirit of Pride Manifested.
While the proceedings were not marked
with especial enthusiasm there was yet
manifested the spirit of pride in the ma
terial improvements which everywhere and
in all things distinguish the year 1900
from the year 1890. when the Capital OF
the nation was located upon the banks
Of the historic Potomac. Men cougr:l u
lated one another that 1t had been their
good fortune to live to assemble on such
an occasion.
The decorations Of the White House
were simple. but sufficient. Autumn foli-
age, palms. potted plants and conserva-
tory flowers adorned the East Room and
other portions of the house where the
ceremonies we're in progress. In the CEN
tre of the East Room was exhibited fer
the first time the model of the enlarged
White House. as proposed by Col Theo-
dore A. Bingham. The design, to a large
extent. follows the idea of the late Mrs
Harrison In increasing the capacity of
the Executive Mansion. Against the cast
wall of the room upon a background of
yellow draperies were hung the drawings
OF the design. and in the centre a large
water color of the building as it would
be when completed.
There were signs of activity at the
mansion early in the morning preparatory
for the exercises of the day. Chairman
John Joy Edison arrived early, and. to-
gether with members of his committee,
and Secretary Cortelyou and the White
House staff completed the details. An
extra guard of police. under command Of
Sergeant Co.'s, was stationed throughout
the grounds, and at the severa! gates
Owing to the limited capacity of the man
sion, only those to whom invitations had
been sent were allowed to pass through
the gates. Those present numbered about
four hundred. Many others sought ad-
mission. which could not be accorded
them.