Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-23
A SOCIAL FUNCTION.
Last Presidents Reception and Dinner
Most Complete.
Washington, D. c., Jan. 20.

CepllOu dIu QlulSI, III lOlioI VI Iue gu
preme court of the United States, at
the White House, Thursday night was,
it is claimed, probably the most COM
plete function, in appointment and de-
tail given at the executive mansion for
many years.
Some of the overlooked points in
connection with function, at which
the President of the United States
and the first lady of the land, preside,
may not be without general public in
terest, at this time, considered from
the view point of an eye witness.
1t is customary, at the commence
ment of the social season in Washing
ton, for the secretary to the President
to prepare a schedule covering all
functions occurring at the White
House during the winter practically
every detail being worked out in ad-
vance. This program includes spe-
cial receptions and dinners in honor
of the diplomatic corps, the supreme
court, the cabinet, the army and navy
the congressional, and several public
receptions to which no card is requir-
ed Other dinners, less comprehen-
sive are given, scattered among the
other affairs. Usually there is din
ner and reception, distinct functions.
for each of the branches mentioned
above. At the public receptions no re-
freshments are served. Formerly cof-
fee, Sandwiches, cake and CONNECTIONS
were served upon such occasions, I'M
til the jam passed bounds and the col
| lation was dispensed with.
Guests whom the President and wife
desire to honor receive cards. of invi-
tation about two weeks prior to the
date of the function. These invita-
tions consist of a single card of heavy
cream board 5R by Az inches in size,
upon which is engraved the following:
The President and Mrs. Roosevelt
request the pleasure of the company OF
Mr.. and Mrs. John Smith
at a reception'to be held at the
White House
Thursday evenings January the TWEEN
ty-third, nineteen hundred and two,
from nine to half past ten o'clock.
Embossed, in gold, upon the upper
portion of the card, is the Presfden
tial crest, employed from the early
DAYS to this time hiThe crest consists
of an eagle with 1outstretched wings
and holding in onelclaw bunch OF, ar
\ TONS anu I'LL LIE OIIEl dill oliNS DltthSD
The eagle bears intits beak banne
with the inscription Sc Pluribu'
Unum," with thirteen stars in semi
circle connecting the outstreachet
wings The name of the person in
: vited is written in by an artist and cal
| hardly be distinguished from the en-
: graved text, SO cleverly is the worl
done. = 800
Accompanying the invitations ar
two tiny cards bearing the word
Present this card at the door" With
, out these cards Mr.. and Mrs. Smit
would not be able to get by the frs
) door-keeper, unless they were person
' ally known to the employees. The il
, vitation is enclosed in the customar
, envelopes, upon the outside of which
beautifully inscribed as though stee
, plate, are the names, thus: I'M
> John Smith" Then just beneath
: Mrs. Smith" Upon the upper lei
: corner appears in embossed golt
, white House," in small, plain lie
/. tiers. Formerly it was 'Executiv
\ Mansion but President Roosevelt n
: longer permits the use Of that term.
;. Thursday night last, the guests a
v rived within a few moments of eigf
/. o'clock. There were eighty invit
+ tions and within space of fiftee
: minutes they all presented themselve
at the entrance to the White Hous
+. Wraps were deposited in the cloa
q rooms and then the guests gathere
' in the long corridor. to await the cor
g ing of the President and Mrs. Roos
.r welt They had not long to wait. The
IS came down the big stairway on tt
; west. and Immediately took position
r. in the blue room, just at the entrant
n to the red room Col Bingham, WI
70 has been master of ceremonies fro
n. time immemorial formed the guests
d line, Chief Justice Fuller, being Il
" first, followed by the Associate Ju
tees, followed by senators and repr
II sentatives and other friends.
Everything is in readiness; Il
II marine band, stationed in the conse
in vatory, strikes up an inspiring air, Il
10 door is opened into the blue room al
Of Col Bingham announced "the Chi
rs justice of the United States" JUST
Fuller advanced and grasped the OF
stretched hand of the President, al
at the same time Col. Bingham a
v, nounced Mrs. Fuller" AS Mrs. F,
n Ter shook hands with the Presidel
IN Mr.. Fuller paid his respects in simil
ee manner to Mrs Roosevelt. Then f
I'd lowed the associate justices and sc
O. ators and representatives, being q
re nounced just prior to entering t
,r- blue room. ! Commander Cowles ;
in sisted in the presentation. AS, t
lg guests met the President he had a G.
he dial word for each. of course bel
i'd personally acquainted with all t
IS guests, which included in the main t
in membership of the senate and hon
st Judiciary committees, aside from
he supreme court, representative H
on chairman of the military affairs co
tie mittee and representative Foss, of t
Is. naval affairs committee, being t
tn only other congressional guests.
Following the formal presentati
the guests proceeded to the green ROT
until all had assembled Each gent
ah man, was presented with a card des
It's mating the lady whom he should
IN cort to the table, together with a d
s.: gram of the table, showing him il
ed where his number would be located
lit When the friends had all been
md iloa;uod Ia, DreSidanf 40 will, NJ