The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-01-02
GRASPS THE HANDS
OF EIGHT THOU
SAND PEOPLE
For Two and a t..aIf Hours
the procession Files
Past.
WHI.E HOUSE THRONGED
President and Mrs Roosevelt's First
Reception Proves a Most Success.
full Function.
MILES AND DEWEY PASS IN THE CROWD
Those Who Look for Any Change In the Man
nsr of These Officers or of The President
Disappointed. All Graciously Re-
ceiyed.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, Jan. President Roose-
yelt's first public reception was attended
more largely than any New Years recep-
tion in a number of years. III ali S,100
pcrsons filed through the White House
and shook hands with the President.
Mr.. Roosevelt on being appfised that
the crowd in line outside the White House
was unusually large gave orders that
the gates should not be closed until the
last person desiring to do so had oil op-
portunity to pay his respects The re-
ception began promptly at II O'Clock and
it was 2:30 o'clock before the last person
ir line had been presented to the Pres-
dent and a quarter of an hour later be-
fore the reception came to an end.
The weather was delightful, being clear
and crisp so that no hardship was suf-
fered by the throng that waited for hours
before admission to the White House
The reception was in every way success
ful, the decorations rarely beautiful, ar
rangements perfect and the President III
excellent spirits. To each person he ex-
tended a cordial happy New Year and
Mrs. Roosevelt was equally pleasing to
each of these who filed past the line in
the Blue Parlor. where the receiving
Larty stood. Miss Alice Roosevelt was
conspicuous among these. assisting at
the reception. A party of her young girl
friends by invitation also participated in
the function
MANSION AGLOW WITH FLOWERS.
The interior of the mansion was aglow
INi n inJ of aIa Iicrbt Nd ~
this was added the beauty Of profuson
of flowers, plants and vines, banked
about the mantels and draped from chan
delers and walls. The floral decora-
tions reached their height of effectiveness
in the East Room. Here the great crystal
chandeliers were looped with smilax
while the recesses of the chamber were
banked with poinsetta blossoms, begonias
and tall ferns. In the Red and Blue Par
1ors there was the same effective ispo-
sition of flowers and plants, the flaming
red of the poinsetta being most apparent
everywhere.
in the outer corridor, just within the
entrance, the band of the Engineer Corps,
L. S. A., sixty strong, in their brilliant
Uniforms, were arranged in tiers, while
further along in the conservatory was the
full membership of the Marine Band, in
bright red uniforms. While the musicians
were taking their places the Roosevelt
children were having merry time
through the corridors and one Of them
could be heard playing the kangaroo
March in the private apartments Of the
Presidential family.
A CoSMOPOLITAN THRONG
l.
distinguished callers began to assemble
in the main corridor First came the
members of the diplomatic corps in their
rich court uniforms. resplendant in braid
and decorations. 1t was a most cos
mopolitan throng., the Oriental silks of
the Chinese minister and his suite. the
red fez of the Turkish minister and the
more modern but equally gorgeous attire
OF the japanese and Coreans conspicuous
amid the groups of diplomatists The.
members of the corps gathered in the Red
Parlor preparatory to being presented to
the President and those about him.
& THE PRESIDENT AND WIFE.
;, Exactly at II O'Clock a fanfare from
three trumpcters stationed at the further
end of the main corridor announced the
approach OF the fTeSlueul 6lu tn6 T6celV-
ing party. At the same moment rresi-
dent and Mrs. Roosevelt appeared at the
upper landing of the corridor, and arm
in arm descended the stairway, while the
Marine Band broke in with Hail to the
Chief" The Presient bowed as he passed
along, frequently giving cherry re-
sponse to the New Years greetings ex-
tended TO him from those in the line.
Mrs, Roosevelt held in her hand
superb bouquet of pink orchids She wore
a.; gown of white satin, heavily pleated
With lace yoke end diamond ornaments.
and in her hair sparkled diamond tiara.
The President was in the conventional
black frock coat. He had no boutonnieres
and the gray-striped neck scarf was the
only bi. of color IN his attire.
Following. the Pres ident and his Wife
came the members Of the Cabinet ard
their wives;s.a
The Presidential party took UP their
station in the Blue Parlor with the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Roosevelt Immediately