The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-01-02
SEASON OPENED At
THE WHITE HOUSE
A Brilliant Official Reception
by the President.
THE FUNCTION A SUCCESS
QUESTION OF PRECEDENCE SET.
TIED IN ARMY'S FAVOR.
DIPLOMATIC CORPS THE SHOW FEATURE
Mrs. Mckinley Was Present Despite Her Feeble
HEALTH and With the Flush Of Excite
ment on Her Face Looked
Bright and Happy.
Bright and Happy.

Washington, Jan. Beneath a sky
as bright as Cuba and in a wind as cold
as the Arctic, over 1000 citizens stood
in line at the White House gates today
waiting to pay their respects to the
President Of the United States after the
brilliant official reception which ushered
in the New Year and marked the open
ing 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 of feminine
heartachcs and resentment for dainty
toilets disarranged in the crush.
Beginning promptly at II a. m, the
ceremony was concluded ut 1:15 ut
which time 3,354 guests had passed
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 pre-
viously arranged. With the flush of eX-
looked bright and happy as she led the
Cabinet procession down the corridor
with the President to the Blue Room.
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 for the official procession
as il moved down the staircase and
through the Blue Parlor where the re-
ceiving party was to take its stand.
Mrs. Mckinley bowed and smiled TO the
little crowds of the favored who filled the
end OF the corridor to witness this open
ing 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 troublesome question of rTece-
denGe between the army and the navy
was settled in favor of the former, Gen
eral Miles leading the military contin-
gent, with Adjutant COrbn at his left
side. After the army had passed in
review Admiral Dewey with the veneer
able Admiral Melville on his arm led
the naval line. Mrs Dewey, however,
was with the receiving party and was
escorted in on the arm of Secretary
Long. tsi
The Diplomatic Corps, which headed
the list of guests was. as always. the
show feature of the reception. Lord
paincefote, the British Ambassador
and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, led
the way The display of uniforms was
brilliant. Turkish fez. gilded orders Of
Continental powers, the fur-trimmed
tunics and high, polished boots of the
Russians: the queer sage green, gold
encrusted uniforms Of the japanese and
the ermine trimmed silkcn robes Of the
Koreans and Chinese all combined TO
form a picture of unusual brilliancy.
Special interest centered in the appear
ance of the Duke D'Arcos. the Spanish
Minister, and his beautiful American
wife. II was the first White House re-
ception at which Spain has been repre-
scented since the close of hostiities and
the greetings accorded them were espe-
cially cordial
Following the diplomats, the American
officials, Judges of the Supreme Court.
Senators, and Representatives Depart
ment Chiefs and the like. made a longer,
if less striking procession. The recep-
ton to the general public concluded the
function.
The Secretary Of State and Mrs. Hay
entertained the members of the Diplo-
matte Corps at breakfast at noon, at
their handsome residence ON Lafayette
Square. 1t was a repetition Of the bril-
linacy attending the presence Of the d.
plomatic representatives at the White
House.
Most of the wives and near relatives
of the several Cabinet officers received
during the day.
The Admiral of the Navy and Mrs.
Dewey received a large number of cali
ers