Omaha daily bee., 1901-02-03
Notable Reception
In the White House

II President Mckinley had to practice
real, simon-p pure "Jcncrsonian" simplicity
IN the conduct of his social functions at
the White House, relates the Washington
star, 1t Is quite probable that hG would
resign, as not even a Rockefeller pocket
book could endure the strain, while the
presidential salary for year would melt
IN a sIuglc night. The ideal reception
century ago rounded up with feed"
Feed included liquid refreshments, and
these insure some remarkable scenes at
times, incidents Of which annotatc, If they
do not enrich the history Of those early
days.
Just now uniforms and gold lace, sabcrs
ana sdshcs, decorations, medals and badges
are beng furnished up for the annual New
year reception at the White House.
century ago the same thing was being done
for the stately "lcyccs" OF the president
and his domestic wife. OF these cumbcr-
some ana corcmonuus affairs only the IN
,idcnts come down TO rs IA many Instances
ana detail Is left to the Imagination, but
IN one uI those remarkable letters which
the men ana women Of the early years OF
the century knew 50 well how to write =
senator from New York has LETT "A clear
picture Ui a New Year reception given by
Thomas Jefferson This letter Is dated
January 81, 1904. and It's writer, Samuel
Latham Mitchell, was a physician states
man, "A man OF eminent learning, and
termed by many the "NcsLOr OF American
science" After several terms III the house
he was elected to the United States senate.
In u letter to Mrs. Smith, the wife of his
colleague in the senate, he skctchcd the
following word picture of a New Year day
at the executive mansion.
The greatest exhibition IN Washington
is the leycc OF Mr.. Jefferson, ON New Years
day. large number Of the fashionable
and respectable persons here make 1T Il
point to visit the president on January !,
and that gentleman Is always civil enough
to be at home and receive them. 1t is the
only great lcvoc day that there is at our
court, and ON this occasion the company
assemblies voluntarily and without invita-
ton.
"Of the pcrsOnaBcs present | observed
the king and queen of the Mcndanese tribe
of Indians, living about 900 miles up the
Missouri river. Ills majesty was dressed in
sort OF rcgimcntal coat given him by the
government since his arrival, and her
majesty, wrapped IN "A blanket, sat ON one
of the sofas in the great audience chamber
and received the visits of the women and
people of quality. When | had the honor
Oh Doing lnllOuutCu 10 nof Sle ulu not Tlot,
nor did she quit her seat during any part
of the ceremony.
Another person of distinction was the
French minister. This great military char
acter is distinguished by the uncommon
size and extent of his whiskors, which
cover the greater part of his checks. and
by the profusion of lace that covers his
full dress coat His wife was not with
him. ON account of IA rupture which nap
pcncd little before the commencement of
the session of congress between General +
and the Consort of the French minister
she had Withdrawn from his house and so
humble and solitary way in the noighboring
village of Georgetown. In consequence OF
this misunderstanding the minister had, II
Is said, attempted to ship OF his wife I,
France. She refused to submit to this
made an outcry, alarmed the noighborhood
and brought mob to her house and finally
made her escape from her gallant spouse
and has ever since been deprived of the
pleasure of his company. Under these cir
cumstanCes this distinguished woman did
not make her appearance. The British
minister and his wife were both IN re
They have lately succeeded Mr. and Mrs
Merry in their diplomatic capacity. Being
newly arrived they attracted IA good deal %
notice, particularly the woman, who is
pretty philadelphian.
THE greater part Of the senators wcr,
there and the few whose wives were II
town brought them thithcr to partakc o
this great exhibition. SO it was with tn,