The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-01-02
AT The WHITE HOUSE
THE PRESIDENTS RECEPTION A
BRILLIANT AFFAIR.
EVERYTHING RESPLENDENT.
THE EVENT UNSURPASSED BY ANY
OF IT'S KIND.

Thousands Greeted by President ana
Mrs. Mc<inIey-ForeiGn Ambasra-
dOrs and Ministers, Supreme Court
Justices, High OmcinIs of the Army
and Navy, Senator's and Represent
tatives and Their Wives ThrOnged
the ParIors of the National Man
sion.
Washington, Jan. LIN the long line
of New Years receptions at the White
House, which each year inaugurate the
social season at the national capital,
none. perhaps, was more brilliant than
the one which to-day ushered in the twen-
tieth century
The day had dawued dull and gray; but
the air was soft and balmy. Toward IL
O'Clock, when the reception opened the
sun burst through mist and cloud, bright
ened the walls and pillars Of the historic
old mansion until 1t shone like alabaster
and touched the stripes of the glorious
American flag that hoated over it into
streaks of flame.
The grounds of the mansion presented a
stirring scene as the carriages began to
officers in full uniform formed TO the left
of the massive porte cochere. Within,
under the glamor of myriads Of electric
lights, which were reflected In the happy
faces of the shifting throng, all was bril-
liancy. The Marine Band, stationed un-
der the stairway, discoursed national airs
and lively marches throughout the cere-
mony.
Promptly at II o'clock the bugles sound
ed the approach of the Presidential party
and led by Col. Bingham, the master of
ceremonies, and Maj. McCauley of the
Marine Corps, the President and Mrs.
Mckinley descended the main staircase
followed by the members of the cabinet
and their wives. AS the party passed
along to the receiving room the President
reflected in his smiling face his health
and happiness. He bowed repeatedly 10
the crowds assembled in the corridors,
greeting many of them with well wishes
of the day. Mrs. Mckinley also bestow-
ed her greetings upon many in the throng,
and when three sweet-faced children near
the front chirped Happy New Year.
to the first lady OF the land she took a
handful of buds from her exquisite bou-
quet OF white roses and tossed them TO ths
children. The party passed into the blue
parlor and took their places, while the
Marine Band burst forth with the STIR
ring strains of Hail to the Chief"
AFTER the receiving party had taken
tneIr places the long line Of guests began
70 move FIRST In line came the andbassa-
dors and minister's from foreign
courts, accompanied by their full stairs.
Al their head was the venerable and dig
nihed Lord Pauncefote. British anbassa-
dor and dean Of the diplomatic corng in
the fun uniform of his high diplomatic
rank. With him were Lady Pauncefote
and the Honorable Miss Pauncefote and
the ambassadorial staff Following
them came Baron Fava. the Italian am
bassador; DR.. Won Holleben, the German
ambassador; NJ. Cambon, the French am
bassador; Count Cassini, the Russian am
oassador' ana Senior Don Azpiroz, the
Mexican ambassador, each Accompanied
by his STAFF and ladies. The Chinese min
lister, in his rich Oriental silks. accompa-
nled by Madame Wu, in eaborately en-
oroidered gown, attracted much attention
AFTER the ambassadors and ministers
came the chief justice and associate f,ls-
tlces of the United States Supreme Court
the judge of the Court of Appeals sem
ators and representative in Congress. for
mer caplhet officers and ministers of the
United States.
As the guests now began to move From
room to room of the spacious mansion a
scene of beauty and briliancy met the
eyes. From the state dining room tha
guests passed into the red parlor. where
the rich red furnishings, tapestries and
walls were set off with a wealth of foli-
a NJ. a a.
center of attraction, for here the Prest-
Dental party received, surrounded bv
the members of the cabinet and their
ladies and those invited to assist in re-
ceivlng. The curtains were drawn and
the shaded electric globes threw a soft
light on the delicate blue of the room
and the brilliant assemblage From the
blue room the line passed through the
green room, and then into the spaefous
east room. Here the windows, manteIs
and walls were massed with tall palms
and Towering plants.
At i:4O O'Clock the officers of the army.
navy and marine corps, brave in gold lace,
appeared. According to custom, the army
had precedence over the navy, and this
contingent was headed by Lieut. Gen.
Miles and Adjt. Gen. Corbin, each in the
full uniform of his exalted rank The
naval section was headed by Admiral
Dewey and his staff. and the marine corps
by Brig. Gen. Haywood.
AT noon the regents of the Smithsonian
Institution and other public officials were
received. and at 1880 o'clock the general
public was admitted.
About 5000 people had been received up
10 1870 o'clock. the hour set for closing
the reception, but the crowd still stretched
four abreast beyond the outer gates. the
President directed that the reception pro-
coed, that all might come in. Mrs Nc
Kiney endured the trying ordeal with
much composure. remaining alongside the
President throughout. At one time, as a
dainty little girl stepped through proudly
carrying a huge doll, Mrs. Mckinley not
only greeted the little girl, but also shook
hands with the doll. TO the infinite de-
light of the little girl. Later, when a
negro NANNY" held down a tiny baby.
Mrs Mckinley chucked the tot under
the chin and tucked a rosebud amid it's
laces
1t was clock when the end of the
line appeared. and the President. waving
a final salutation to the lingering guests,
escorted Mrs. Mckinley to her apart
ments