Evening journal., 1901-05-18

been In other sections OF the country on |
special trips OF several days each. Neither
the president nor Mrs. Mckinley minded |
In the least trips TO attend a launch and
"a dinner and 10 be back the same day, al |
though hours We're spent IN travel alone
she has frequently come from Canton
to stay here few days and then re-
turned with the president Never has he
left her In Canton while he was In Wash
ington, except on one occasion. and then
for only two days.
RECEIVED AT WHITE HOUSE
AS mistress Of the White House Mrs.
Mckinley has been jealous TO assist the
president IN an the social affairs, and IN
carrying out the Winter program she has
often taxed her strength to the limit
Last Winter. owing to the abandonment
OF the social calendar on account OF the
presidents attack OF grip. she escaped the
ordeals which are involved en- receiving
/ thousands OF persons al the evening re-
ceptions given IN honor OF the diplomatic
corps, Congress. the judiciary and the
army and navy. None of these recep-
tions was held last Winter. and socially
the White House was quleter than az any
time since Mrs Harrisons DEATH which
resulted IN the mansion being closed an
one Winter TO social entertainments
Mrs Mckinley has been the only woman
lof the White House who sat while she re-
ceived on the right OF the president was
a small gilded chair Of Louis XIV style.
In which she was seated She usually
bowed 10 all who passed. At some OF the
great evening receptions at least 4,ooo
persons would be greeted by the president
and Mrs. Mckinley To every guest the
president would give warm shake Of the
hand
STRAIN or SHAKING HANDS.
Mrs. Harrison was the first wife OF a
president to establish rule of bowing 10
those calling instead Of extending the
hand. This was a result OF the terrible
strain imposed on a woman by shaking
hands with several hundred, and perhaps
thousands, OF persons In one evenlng-es-
peclally whom the grasp OF some large
paws would be sufficient to cause pain 10
q man Of strong muscle. Mrs Mckinley
could not endure the fatigue OF receiving
Except when seated. and diplomats and
lothers would always sympathize with her
and pass without undertaking to extend
their hands.
AS for Mrs. Cleveland. she was OF too
vigorous nature 20 avoid shaking hands
with White House guests and would stand
az the great public receptions until the
last visitor in line had passed before she
would surrender her place next TO the
lpresident.
Mrs. Mckinley owing to her feeble
health. has never taken part IN the gaye-
ties Of Washington outside OF the cabinet
ldinners, and has seldom been seen except
when driving with the president. She
never walked except In the private
lgrounds with the president The last
time she was seen here by large num-
ber OF persons was on Easter Monday.
when with the president by her side, she
appeared al one Of the rear windows OF
the White House TO watch the thousands
OF children rolling Easter eggs on the
green turf while the Marine Band PLAYED
lively airs The music OF this band at
the Spring and Summer concerts was a
source Of especial delight TO Mrs. Nc
kinley. and often she would have the
leader play some piece over a second
time. Straus' blue Danube Waltz" was
her favorite, and the band invariably
played II at the afternoon concerts.
Owing TO her feeble strength Mrs Nc
klnley seldom went to church with the
president. although commitment OF the
same denomination-the Methodist.