The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-11
4 PARTY FOR CONGRESSMAN,
THE PRESIDENT GAVE 1T AT THE
WHITE HOUSE.

description of Some of the Gowns.
The Company Large and Brilliant.
The Two Women Who Were the
Most ObserVed-Mrs. Potter Palm
er's POpuIarity-The Tea Given by
ahe Chinese Minister Great Sue
cess-Other Matters of General In
terest.
Washington. Feb. 9.-Among the several
great state entertainments which the I'M
written law of official etiquette compels
the President to give every season, that
in honor of Congress is always the larg-
est. The levee of 1900 was no exception TO
the rule though the weather was most
forbidding. With a biting wind and the
thermometer at zero, ii was a hard night
on the policemen stationed about the
White House grounds, or doorkeepers and
carriage drivers, as well as on the satin
slippered, decollete guests; but everything
was done to facilitate the progress of car
riages on arriving and departing, and so
admirable were all the arrangements that
nobody suffered much from the extreme
cold, SO unusual in this latitude
The East Room was transformed into
veritable bower of bloom, the corridors
draped with vines and garlands the west
stairway massed with azaleas, and the
blue room SO beautiful with pink roses
that one forgot there was any such thing
as inclemeut weather. President and Mrs
Mckinley had receiving with them all the
cabinet ladies who are in the city, and
they are all here but Mrs. Long and Mrs.
tfrigpS. Mrs McKi0laV SIDarblV
gowned in trailing black velvet, with a
deep fall of point lace in cascade effect
continuing from the shoulder down the
front of the skirt. Though the severe
style is not so becoming to her fragile
type as the white and pale blue she usu-
ally wears, this handsome gown added
10 her gracious dignity and against its
dead black her diamond necklace shone
with increased brilliancy. She carried a
bouquet of lilies of the valley. Mrs. Hay
who occupied the post of honor next TO
ehe Presidents wife, wore a Paris "cre-
alton" Of cream Chantilly lace. Mrs Gage
was in black velvet and duchesse lace;
Mrs. Root In spangled black net, with
many diamonds; Mrs. Charles Emory
Smith in pale blue satin and lace; Mrs
Hitchcock, in mauve and white striped
satin; Miss Wilson in pink silk and shir-
red tulle; Miss Long, in pale gray silk and
chiffon Miss Griggs, in white silk.
The company 'behind the line" was I'M
usually large and brilliant, including all
the young ladies of the cabinet and con-
gressional circle, the Supreme Court JUS
tees, with their wives and daughters,
Mrs. Y. S. Grant, Mrs. James G.. Blaine,
Mrs. James A. Garfield and daughter, Mrs.
Stanley-Brown, Mrs. Sartoris, Mrs. Fred
Grant, Mr.. and Mrs. Abner Mckinley, the
Presidents three nieces, and Mr.. and
Mrs. George E. Morse of California, who
are also guests in Inc White House, and
9th dp1ip aI nar
usual among the earliest arrivals, his
habit of promptitude extending even to
social matters. Mrs. Dewey accompanied
him, for the first time since her recent
Illness, and looked very handsome in jet
ted net Miss Susan B. Anthony and
Mrs. Potter Palmer of Chicago We're the
most observed of their sex in their prog
ress through Inc Blue Room and the later
promenade through the East Room and
corridors. The aged advocate of female
suffrage is receiving flattering ovation
in Washington, and preparations are COM
pleted for giving her rousing birthday
celebration next week, accompanied by a
substantial gift in money. Mrs. Palmer
has achieved the distinction of being the
most sought-after and generally entertain
ed visitor at the Capitol this year. Each
day she has been the guest of honor at
breakfast and luncheons and teas, given
by diplomatic and other notable hostesses
and every evening, with Mr.. Palmer, she
rs dined somewhere in great state. All
these honors are shared with her sister,
Mrs. Frederick Dent Grant, whose young
daughter is now a Russian Countess. At
the congressional reception, as Mrs Pal
mer passed down the line, escorted by the
Italian ambassador, it was universally
conceded that hers was the handsomest
toilette seen. 1t was a trailing princess
robe of Lyons velvet, having an Arabesque
pattern in white satin, appliqued in dia-
Ae
at the hips The finishing touches at
the corsage and over the shoulders was
white tulle frosted with diamond dust.
III her ears were immense solitaire pearls,
set in tiny diamonds, and she wore dog
collar of diamonds and tiara of the same
flashing gems.
The tea given by the Chinese minister
and Nine. WI was the fashionable event
OF the week. The receiving hours were
from to Z, and during that time the
crowd was simply immense. Everybody
with any claims to even a precarious ho,d
upon the edges of society was present, to-
eether with a mighty throng of the alto
gether unknown, it being generally under
stood that so good-natured is the Oriental
household that all corners are admitted,
even to bard receptions. Mr. WI was
gorgeous in saffron and crimson brocade,
with the big diamond flashing on the front
OF his black cap. He stood at the en-
guests, beaming alike upon the invited
ana the unlimited; and beside him stood
ms tiny wife, in a native gown of pale
Que and pink satin, richly embroidered
with gold. The tints of her skirt were
as varied az the prisms of rainbow and
IN the coils of her much-oiled black hair
We're number of large pearls. Diamonds,
Dig as marrowfats, sparkled in her ears
ana on her small, tapering fingers. The
uoorways and stairways of the legation
were twined with wild laurel, and at
every turn stood tall palms, oriental vases
ana great crystal bowls, filled with ferns
ana pink carnations. The black dragon
rampant on a yellow ground was every
Where in evidence, and the Stars and
stripes fraternally mingled with Chinese
Hags. In the picturesque tea room, the
yellow silken cloth on the table was spray
ca with asparagus leaves, and across It's
surface were scattered pink carnations.
enormous clusters of the same flowers
formed the center niece. their ROSY HOS