The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-01-02

SOCIAL SEASON
is OPENED
wish the Brilliant Reception by
President and Mrs. MeKin-
10y yesterday.
Elegantly G0WNFD LADIES
And Gallant Men In Gorgeous Uni
forms and Brave Trap
pings.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-Beneath
sky as bright as that above could be,
ana a wind as cold as the Arctic, over
9. 900 citizens stood in line at the
white house gates to-day, waiting to
nay their respects to the President of
the United States, after the brilliant
oficlal 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
gatherlngs, but few functions Of the
sort have been more brilliant, and in
none have the crowds been better
handed, with less confusion or less Of
feminine heart-aches and resentment
for dainty toilets dlsarranged in the
crush. Beginning promptly at IL a. M,
The ceremony was concluded at f:15, at
which time 1884 guests had pass
ed down the line. Mrs. Mckinley was
present. despite her feeble health, She
remained in the blue parlor only through
the strictly Official section Of the pro-
gramme, retiring then, as had been
previously arranged. With the flush Of
excitement on her usually pale face,
she looked bright and happy as she led
the cabinet procession down the cor
ridor with the President to the blue
room.
An Excellent Stage Setting.
The brilliant lights reflected from the
crystal chandeliers overhead, the
twinkle Of tiny electric globes through
the heavy draperies Of smllax and the
jungle OF palms and foliage plants that
walled the red carpeted corridor, made
an excellent stage setting for the ofti-
cial procession as it moved down the
stairs ANA through to the blue par
lor where the receiving party was to
take It's stand. Mrs. Mckinley bowed
and smiled to the little crowd of fav-
ored spectators who filled the end Of
the corridor to witness this opening act
OF the days ceremonies.
AS she turned into the blue room she
kissed the tips OF her white gloved fin
gers to some or-the children. who
waved their hands to her from point
OF vantage near the door.
Army Had Precedence.
The troublesome question of preced-
ence between the army and navy was
settled in favor of the former. Cen
eral Miles leading the military con-
tlngent, with Adjutant General corbln
at his left side. After the army had
passed in review Admiral Dewey. with
the venerable Admiral Melville on his
arm, led tine naval line. Mrs. Dewey
was With the receiving party, and was
escorted Isl OH the arm OF Secretary
Long.
The Diplomatic Corps.
The diplomatic corps, which headed
the list of guests. was always the show
Feature Of the reception. Lord Pauuce-
fote, the British ambassador and G:sn
Of the coros, led the way. The dis
play OF uniforms was brilliant, Turkish
fes, Giided orders Of the continental
powers, the fur-trimmed tunles and
high, polished boots of the Russians;
the queer sage-green, gold-encrusted
uniforms o: the Japanese, and the er-
mlne-trImmed SILK robes OF the Kor-
cans and Chinese ali combined to form
a picture Of unusual brlllIancy
Following these, the American on
clsis, Judges OF the supreme court, sem
ators and representatives. department
chiefs and the like. made a longer, II
less striking procession. The reception
to the general public concluded the
function.