The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-01-02
SCHLEY WAS ABSENT
From The Official Reception Held by
The President at White House.
DEWEY AND MILES IN LINE
General Mas Not Overly Cordial and
Reception Was a Chilly One.
THE CONGRESSMAN COOLED HEELS
Because of Bad Management and Many
of Them Left in Deep Disgust.
i, MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE
A Number of Southern Congressman
Purposely Absented Themselves.
A Large Number OF Callers.
Especial to The Postl

Washington, january 1.-The most signlf.
cant feature of the official reception held
at the White House today was the absence
Of Rear Admiral schlcy. AS was explained
In The Post few days ago all officers of
the army and navy, retired as well as ace
| tive, were ordered to present them
selves at tue executive mansion to pay
their RESPECTS to the president Admiral
,Schley absented himself from the city
aud therefore oscar ed the obligation lai
upon hm by the official regulations
General Miles and Admiral Dewey. botn
Of whom have suffered at the hands of
Roosevelt were present at the reception
ond led. respectively, the army aud navy
contngent7 when they advanced to greet
the receiving party. Although interested
parties ere seeking to make it appear
otherwise, 1t Is known positively that
nothing even approaching cordiality was in
evidence when Miles and Roosevelt met
The general looked unusually pale ana
stern as he advanced and beyond simple
handshake and bow which included Mrs
Roosevelt and the other ladies', nothing
passed between him and the president.
somewhat more friendly greeting was be-
slowed ugon Dewey.
other officers of the army aud navy were
warmly greeted. rhe president chatted
cordially with some of them and others
shook hands with Mrs Roosevelt priv.
ege not usually accorded on such occa.
slons.
There was great deal of confusion dur.
ing the reception Notwithstanding the
elaborate plans which had been made.
number of prominent congressman and
other notables We're forced to stand out In
/ ha ..p11 al,
! known that some of them. including a well
known New England senator. became dis
gusted md left the White House grounds
: without attempting to see the president
and his party A score .or more of repre-
sentatlves were denied admission TO the
lobby at one time while the diplomatic
corps was being received, and several of
these departed without carrying out the
| purpose Of their visit.
! A number of southern congressman pur
pcsely abscnted themselves from the func
ton, So far as known, only four members
of the Texas delegation were in attendance.
| Washington, january 1.-Prcsident R6Nse-
! welt held his first New Year reception ot
! the White House today and. surrounded
! by the presidential and cabinet circle. he
greeted officials In every branch of public
! life as well as great cencourse of people
/ from private life. The scene within the
historic mansion was one of extraordinary
beauty and brlllancy, and there was an
/ added touch of interest in the occasion this
1 year from the fact this was the first of the
! functions of magnitude with Mr. Roose-
welt and his interesting family as the cen.
trail figures
The day was ideal for the observance of
the time honored custom of making New
! Years calls The sun shone from cloud
/ less sky, the air was cool aud bracing aud
a lght westerly wind made the White
| House flags stand out proudly
! Early IN the day an army Of decorators
aud florists took possession of the mansion
ana transformed the stately corridors and
parlors into bowers of palms, potted plants
and sweet smelling flowers. The Official
program Of the day fixed II o'clock as the
time for opening the reception with the
calls of the members of the cabinet and
the foreign representatives, but some time
before that honr the approaches leading up
to the marble portico were filed with car
riages, while long lines of people took posi-.
tion ut the outer gates in order To have
points of vantage when the public reception
began.
The Interior Of the mansion was aglow
with a myriad of electric lights. and ia
this was added the beauty of profusion
Of flowers, plants and vines, banked about
the mantes and draped from chandeliers
and walls.
In the outer corridor just within the
entrance, the band Of tho engineers corps
United States army, sixty strong. In theil
brilliant uniforms, We're ranged in tiers
while further along in the conservatory
was the full membership Of the marine
band in bright red uniforms,
Shortly before II o'clock the throngs oi
distinguished callers began 10 assemble
! in the main corridor First came the mem
bers Of the diplomatic corps in their rich
court uniforms. respondent In medals and
| decorations. IL was most cosmopolitan
throng with the Oriental silks Of the Chin