The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-01-02
Diplomatic Corps as Usual the Show
Feature.
Mrs. Mckinley Assists
In Receiving.
Question of. Precedence Settled
i'm Favor Of Army.

wsshiu gton, January i.-Bsnsath sky
a. bright as that above Cuba, and In .
wind a. cold as the Arctic, ovor 1000 cisi-
Gems stood In line at the white Houss
gates today, waiting 10 pay their respects
to the President Of the United States af-
ter the brilliant official reception which
ushersd In the new year and marked the
opening Of the social season In Washing
ton.
There have been large crowds In the
past at the white House gatherings, but
few functions I Of the sort have been
more brilliant and In none have the
crowds been better handled with kss con.
fusion or less Of feminine hsartaohss
and resentment for dainty toiisttes dis
arranged In the crush. Beginning
promptly ct II .. m, the ceremony was
concluded At L25. - which time 3. S5&
guests had parsed down the line. Mrs.
Mckinley was present despite her feeble
health. She remained In the blue parlor
only through ths strictly clio isl section
Of the programme, retiring then % had
been previously arranged. With the flush
OF excitement on her usually pals face,
she looked bright and happy - she led
ths cabinet procession down the corridor
with the President to the tlue room.
The brilliant nshts rsneotsd from the
srystsl chandeliers overhead, the twinkle
Of tiny electric globes through the heavy
drnperies Of smilax and the jungls Of
palms and foliage plants that Walled tbs
rsd.oarpstsd corridor made an. excs llsnt
stage setting for this ofnoial procession as
II moved down III, stairs and through 70
the tl1s parl,r where the receiving party
was to take Its stand.
Mrs. Mckinley bowed and smiled 10
the little crowd Of favored SPECTATOR who
filled the end Of the corridor 70 witness
this opening cot Of the day. ceremony.
As she turned into the blue room she
kissed the Etips Of her fingers to a
group Of childrsn who waved hands to
her. The troutlss ome question Of preoe-
dencs bet ween the army and navy was
settled In favor Of tbs former. Gen. Miles
leading the military contingent with Ad-
jutant General Corbin at his lsft sida
Altar the army had passed In review. Ad-
mirsl Dewey with the venerable Admiral
Melville on his arm, led the navy line.
Mrs. Dewey was with the receiving party
and WAS escorted In on the arm Of Score
tary Long.
The diplomatic corps, which headed
the list Of guests, was ~ always. the show
feature Of the reception. Lord Paunoe-
fote, the British ambassador, and dean
of the corps, led the way. The dispay
Of uniforms was brilliant. Turkish fee,
gilisd orders OF continental powers. the
fur-trimIned TUNES and high. polished
boots Of the Russians. and the queer
sage-green, gold encrusted uniforms OF
the Japanese. and the ermins-triniued
silken robes of tbs Koreans and Chinese,
oil CON b. ned to form a:picture unusual
brillisnoy.
Following thsss. the American officials,
judges Of the Supreme court. Senators
and Representatives. department chiefs
and the like, made longer. II lass
striking procession. The reception 90
the general public concluded the function.
At an early hour the streets beyond
the White House grounds began to MI
with the crowd that sursed back and
forth, eager for place In the public line
that was to follow the reception Of the
various sections of the days pageant.
The decorations Of the executive man
sion were not as elaborate this year as
they hav, Deen on some former coca
sions, still there was q profusion Of
palms, ferns. smilAx, holly and other
green's everywhere through the state
dining room, the blue, red and green par
lors and the east room.
The rooms were flooded with electric
lights from thousands Of tiny bulbs In
the ceiling and sparkling chandeliers,
adding to the brillianoy of the dscora-
tious. Presidents and Mrs. Mckinley re-
ceived in the blue parlor. assisted by the
members of the cabinet, and "behind
the line" were about 80 Of the wives and
daughters of Senators, Representatives,
prominent army and navy officers. and
others high In social and official circles.
The music was By the Marine band.
The President and Mrs. Mckinley met
the members of the cabinet In ths west
corridor on the second door shortly be-
fore II O'Clock, while the members Of the
diplomatic corps in their brilliant court
dress, were gathering In the state dining
room, adjoining the red psrlor.
Promptly at II O'Clock. the bugles
sounded the assembly and the ied-coated
Marine band struck the strains Of "Hail
to tho Chief"
To this accompaniment the procession.
headed by President and Mrs. Mckinley.
moved down the broad stairway and took
their places In the blue parior adjoiHins
the red parlor.
Mrs. Mckinley wore IN elaborate gown
of brocadsd white sstin. Owing to her
feeble health abs resolved seated.
Next TO her stood Mss. Hay, wife Il ths