Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1900-01-04
THE PRESIDENTS RECEPTION.
Official and Social Functions Mt the
White House of Unusual
Rrilliancy.

Washington, Jan. 2.-Beneath sky
as bright as that above Cuba and in
wind as cold as the Arctic, more than
House gates yesterday, waiting to pay
their respects to the president of the
United States, after the brilliant Off
cial reception which ushered in the
new year and marked the opening OF
the social season in Washington. There
have been larger crowds in the past at
the White House new year gatherings,
but few functions of the sort have
been more brilliant and in none have
the crowds been better handled, with
less confusion or less feminine heart
aches and resentment for dainty toilets
Clisarranged in the crush. Beginning
promptly at II a. M, the ceremony
was concluded at lis, at which time
1854 guests had passed down the line.
Mrs. Mckinley Was Present.
Mrs. Mckinley was present in spite
CT her feeble health. She remained in
the blue parlor only through the srrict-
ly official section of the programme,
retiring then as had been previously
arranged. With the flush of excite
ment on her usually pale face, she
looked bright and happy as she led the
cabinet procession down the corridor
with the president to the blue room.
Am Excellent Stage Setting.
The brilliant lights reflected from
the crystal chandeliers overhead, the
twinkle of tiny electric globes through
the heavy draperies of smilaX and the
Jungle of palms and foliage plants that
walled the red-carpeted corridor made
an excellent stage setting fcr the Off
cial procession rs it moved down the
stairs and through to the blue parlor,
where the receiving party was to take
its stand.
SaIuted the Children.
Mrs Mckinley bowed and smiled to
the little crowd of favored spectators
who filled the end of the corridor 10
witness this opening act of the days
ceremonies. AS she turned into the
blue room she kissed the tips of her
white-gloved fingers to some of the
children, who waved their hands to her
from point of vantage near the door.
The Army Led the Van.
The troublesome question of pre-
cedence between the army and navy
was settled in favor of the former, Gen.
Miles leading the military contingent
with Adjt.-Gen. Corbin at his left side.
After the army had passed in review
Admiral Dewey, with thevenerable Adj
miral Melville on his arm, led the navy
line. Mrs. Dewey was with the re-
ceiving party, and escorted in on the
arm of Secretary Long.
The Brilliant Diplomatic Corps.
The diplomatic corps, which headed
the lists of guests was, as always, the
SHOW feature of the reception. Lord
Pauncefote, the British ambassador
and dean of the corps. led the way. The
display of uniforms was brilliant,
Turkish fez, gilded orders of CONT
mental powers; the fur-trimmed tunics
and high, polished boots of the Rus
slams; the queer sage green, golden
crusted robes of the Coreans and Chi
nose, all combined to form a picture
of unusual brilliancy.
American Officials and the Public.
Following these, American officials,
Judges of the supreme court, senators
and representatives, department chiefs
and the like, made longer, if less
striking procession. The reception to
the general public concluded the func-
ton.