The Iola register., 1901-01-04
PRESIDENTS
NEW YEAR
The Time HOnored Custom
is Observed and
All Washington Turned out
to Greet the Noble
President
MRS. MCKINLEY WAS THERE
Her Health Being Better
than for Many Years
The Diplomatic Corps and
the Army and Navy was
Well Represented


line of New Years receptions at the
White House, which each year inau-
gurate the social season at the ma
tional capital, none, herhaps, was
more brilliant than the one which to-
| day ushered in the Twentieth century.
And perhaps no feature of it was SO
universally gratifying to the distin-
guished throng which came TO extend
the greetings Of the new year to the
Chief Executive of the republic as the
fact that the mistress of the White
House was able to participate in the
happy occasion, and, with the Presi-
dent, received the fluctuations and
well wishes of all. Toward IL o'clock,
when the reception opened the sun
burst through mist and cloud, bright
ened the white walls and pillars of the
historic old mansion until it shone
like alabaster and touched the stripes
of the American flag that floated
above it into streaks of flame.
The grounds of the mansion pre-
sented stirring scene as the car
riages began to arrive and the long
line of army and navy officers in full
uniform formed to the left of the mas
sive porte cochere. Within, under
the glamour of myriads of electric
lights, which were reflected in the
happy faces of the shifting throng, all
was brilliancy. The Marine band,
stationed under the stairway, dis
coursed national airs and lively
marches throughout the ceremony.
The members Of the cabinet and their
wives, together with the members
of the receiving party, were the first
to arrive. They laid aside their
wraps in the state dining room and
ascended to the apartments of Mr..
and Mrs. Mckinley, where they ex-
changed greetings with Mr.. and Mrs.
Mckinley. The ladies of the receiv-
ing party entered the red and blue
parlor and took their places behind
the line. Meantime the ambassadors
and ministers Of foreign countries
cations, in their gorgeous and re-
splendent court uniforms had gath
cred in the state dining room.
Promptly at IL O'Clock the bugles
sounded the approach of the Presi-
Dental party, and led by Colonel
Bingham, the master of ceremonies,
and Major McCauley or the Marine
corps, the President and Mrs. Nc
followed by members of the cabinet
and their wives.
After the receiving party had taken
their places the long line of guests
the ambassadors and ministers from
foreign courts, accompanied 10y their
! full staifs. At their head was the
, venerable and digniiied Lord Paunce-
, fote, British ambassador and dean OF
the diplomatic corps, in the full uni
form of his high diplomatic rank.
With him were Lady Pauncefote and
= her daughters and the ambassadorial
4 staff.
a At ll:40 O'Clock the officers Of the
4 army, navy and marine corps, brave
0 in gold lace, appeared. According to
j custom, the army had precedence over
a the navy. and this contingent was
:. headed by Lieutenant General Miles
and Adjutant General corbin, each in
the full uniform of his rank. The
j. naval section was headed by Admiral
= Dewey and his staff and the marine
}, corps by Brigadier General Haywood
b The colors of the various arms of the
a army service, the yellow, red and
l. white of the cavalry, artillery and in
d fantry respectively, the deep blue OF
o the navy and the light blue of the
y marine corps with the plume-graced
y chapeaux and helmets now drifted
I through the assemblaee and gave il
, additional color and life.
y AT 1890 the general public was ad
10 mitted and for an hour in one con
,e tinuous stream the people passed
- through the parlors extending theiI
greetings to the President. Through
out the remainder of the day th'
wives of the various cabinet officers
s. the commanding general of the army
Z the foreign ambassadors and minis
T. ters and other officials held reception
g, at their several homes. The day Wa
notable for the general observance O
the time honored custom o! calling.