The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-02
SEVERAL THOUSAND. D
Were Present and Paid Their Re-
spects TO Chief Executive.
THE FULL DIPLOMATIC CORPS.
Duke D'Arcos. the New Spanish Min-
lister, Attracted a Great Deal OF At
notwithstanding Of State and
Mrs. Hay Entertained the
Diplomatic Corps at
Brcakfa

WASHINGTON, Jan. The social sea-
son in Washington was usnered in to-day
with brilliant NeW-Year.s reception at
the White House, at which the President
and sIrs. Mckinley received the congratu-
lations and well-wishes OF several thou
sands Of people, including the representa-
tives of foreign governments, jurists,
statesmen, officers of the army and navy
and others eminent in the social and po-
ltical life of the capital.
A review of the whole winter calendar
up to date could hardly have found asday
better fitted for the New-Year function.
The snow that had grown a trlite EEriny
during the past week had been covered
overnight with a fresh fall. scarcely an
inch in depth. The sun was bright, but
the air was crisp ant frosty, too coid Tor
the snow to melt aslu spoil the honday
setting of the parks and lawns. At an
early hour the streets beyond the " mite
House grounds began to I'LL with the
crowd that surged back and forth eager
for Il place in the public line that was to
follow the reception of the various sec
tons Of the days pageant
THE DECORATIONS.
The decorations of the Executive Man
sion were not as elaborate this year as
they have been on some former occasions,
still there was a profusion oe palms, fern,
snilaN. holly and other greens every
where through the State dinng-room, the
Blue. Red and Green parors and the East
room. The light: of the brilliant winter
day was excluded, and the rooms flooded
with electric lights from thousands of
tiny bulbs in ceiling and sparkling chan
deIiers, adding to the brilliancy of the
decorations. The glittering gold and si'-
diplomatic corps and the fuii-dress uni
forms of the army. and navy contrastea
strongly with the modest black OF the!
jurists, statesmen and civilian officials
of the Government as they moved through
the May thrOng.
The President and Mrs. Mckinley. re-
ceived insthe Blue Eparlor:. assisted by the
members of the Cabinet and their wives,
of the wives and daughters of senator's.
representatives, prominent army and
navy officers and others high in social and
official circles. The full Marine Band, in
their red uniforms. were stationed at the
head of the corridor opposite the State
d1nins-roonl, and throughout the recep-s
ton played patriotic airs.
HAIL TO THE CHIEF.
The President and Mrs. Mckinley met
the members of the Cabinet in the west
fore IL o'clock. while the members of the
/ diplomatic corps. in their brilliant court
dress. We're gathering in the State dining
room. adjoining the Red parlor. Promptly
at II O'Clock the bugier sounded the as,
semby, and the relocated Marine Band
struck up the strains Hail to the Chief"
To this accompaniment the procession,
headed by President Mckinley and Mrs.
Mckinley. moved down the broad stair
way and took their places in the Blue
parlcr. adjoining the Red parlor. Mrs.
Mckinley wore an elaborate gown of bro
caded white satin. Owing to her feeble
stood Mrs. Hay, wife Of the Secretary
of the State; Mrs. Gage, wife of Secretary
of Treasury; Mrs. Root, wife of Secretary
of War; Mrs. Griggs, wife of Attorney
master-General Mrs. Long: Mrs; Hitch
cock wife of Secretary OF Agriculture.
! and Mrs. Wilson, daughter of Secretary
of Agriculture. All were brilliantly
other young ladies' Of the Cabinet, the
wives and daughters of senator's and rep
resentatives and other distinguished Off
cials who had been invited TO assist.
THE DUKE D'ARCos.
AS soon as all had taken their places
the doors of the Red parlor We're thrown
open. and the ambassadors and ministers
of foreign governments and their suites,
resplendant in their full court dress,
headed by Lord Pauncefote. the British
Ambassador, the dean OF the diplomatic
corps, moved into the Blue parlor to pay
their respects to the President and Mrs.
Mckinley and the receiving party Espe-
clal interest centered in the appearance
of the Duke D'Arcos, the Spanish Minis
+ ter. and his beautiful American wife. It
was the first White House reception at
which Spain has been represented size
the close of hostilities, and the. greetings
accorded them were especially cordial.
Following the diplomatic corps came
Chief Justice Fuller and the associate
justices of the Supreme Court, and other
members Of the judiciary. former mem
bers of the Cabinet. At 1:25 the sena-.
tors, representatives and delegates. mem
bersl of the District government and mem
bers of the district Judiciary appeared In
the order named. Following this fight of
statesmen and civil officers came the Off
GERS of the army and navy in their full
dress uniforms, massive golden epaulets
and GOLDEN broidered chapeaus- Various
other officials followed, and at - o'clock
the general public was admitted.
The Secretary of State and Mrs. Hay
entertained the members Of the diplomatic
corps at breakfast at noon. at their hand:
some residence on Lafayette Square. tt
was a repetition of the brilliancy attend-9
ing the presence OF the diplomatic repre-
sentatives at the White House.
| Most fsthe wives and near relatives of
the several Cabinet officers received dur
ing the day.. 55
| Io,. l,ey