New-York tribune., 1902-01-02
NEW YEARIN WASHINGTON
TIE PRESIDENTS RECEPTION.
rpr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l

c. House early this morning await their op-
-,r,itv for exchanging New Years greetings
~ the President and his family and Official
srs The reception A brilliant affair, and
- more largely attended than any other New
,,s reception in many years In all 500 per-
IS rassed through the White House and
--o, hands with the President. The striking
,forrns Of the diplomats, the generals of the
Inv and the admirals of the navy added
-,,r IN the scene. The utmost rigor was main
,ined by the ushers In receiving distinguished and
granger guests alike. No one. matter what
,s-5s or papers he could produce. ad-
r,itted 10 the hallway except his rank or
C4oe was provided for in the days pro-
,au,me Senators and their families were
compelled 90 stand in the wind on the portico,
notwithstanding orous remonstrances, while Of
ecals of a higher rank were being entertained in
The par0rs Winding through the main hallway
into the corridor, which decorated with huge
nanls and other greens and flowers, in sections of
twenty-five or thirty, the Presidents visitors moved
slowly toward him. Here pomp and ceremony dis
appeared. Dressed in a black frock suit with
colored tie. the President stood throughout the
ception The officials We're presented by Colonel
Bingham. who stood the Presidents left. wear
ing the full dress uniform of the engineer corps.
The President shook each hand until 1t seemed that
his glasses would drop off. He had remark for
nearly every caller, wishing many and many
happy New Year. While holding the hand of his
caller he often leaned to Mrs. Roosevelt TO
say something which made them all laugh. Di-
-ectlv behind the President the Secretary of
War who remained in the Blue Parlor for the
greater part Of the reception To the right of Mrs
roosevelt were the women of the Cabinet in the
regular order. Between them and the south win
6oWs were several scores Of charming women who
we're invited 10 be present at the reception After
greeting the President the visitors passed into the
Green Parlor, and thence 10 the East Room. There
many Of the visitors remained some minutes chat
with friends. The parlors were wide open with an
air Of freedom one of the callers. perhaps a for
tigner whose home 1t is CUSTOM strolled around
in a dress suit. Bright cone shaped chandeliers
Illuminated the entire ground floor, and helped to
display the silken gowns of the women. Flowers
lied with red ribbons and placed on the cabinets
ard about the gave fine relief to the
stately decorated walls. which in the East Room
also support the portraits Of American Presidents
Of the past.
The reception began promptly at Il o'clock, and
it was 2.3J o'clock before the last person in line
had been presented TO the President, and quarter
Of an hour later before the reception came TO an
end. II in every way successful, the attend
ance being large the decorations beautiful, the ar
rangements perfect, and the President in excellent
spirits. To each person he wished cordial happy
New Year. and Mrs. Roosevelt equally pleasing
10 those who fled past the line. Miss Alice Roose
Welt was conspicuous among those assisting at the
reception 4 party Of her young girl friends also
took part in the function by invitation
THE WHITE HOUSE DECORATIONS.
Early in the day an army Of decorators and for
lists took possession of the mansion. and trans
formed the corridors and parlors into bowers of
palms, potted plants and fragrant flowers. The Of
fetal programme fixed Il o'clock as the time for
opening the reception with the calls Of tie men,
bers Of the Cabinet and the Diplomatic Corps but
some time before that hour the approaches 70 the
marble portico filled with carriages. while
long lines people took position the outer gates
IN order 10 have points Of vantage when the public
reception began. The interior OF the mansion
aglow with myriad of electric lights, and TO this
added the beauty of a Drofusion Of flowers.
plants and vines. banked about the mantels and
draped from chandeliers and walls The decora-
tions reached their height OF effectiveness in the
East Room Here the great crystal chandeliers
were looyed with smilaX while the recesses We're
banked with poinsettia. begonas and tall ferns. In
the Red and Blue Parlors there was the same ef-
feetive disposition Of flowers and plants. the fam
ing red Of the poinsettia being apparent every
where.
In the outer corridor Just within the entrance,
the band Of the Engineer Corps. sixty strong, in
their brilliant uniforms. ranged in tiers While
further along in the conservatory was the full
membership Of the Marine Band. in bright rsd uni
forms While the musicians were taking their
places the Roosevelt children were having a merry
time in the corridors. and one OF them could be
heard playing the Kangaroo March" in the private
apartments.
Shortly before i o'clock the throngs OF official
callers began 10 assemble in the main corridor.
First came the members Of the Diplomatic Corps,
in their rich court uniforms. resplendent with
medals and decorations 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 were
conspicuous. The members Of the Diplomatic Corps
gathered in the Red Parlor, preparatory to being
presented 10 the President and those about him.
THE PRESIDENTIAL PARTY.
Exactly at Il o'clock fanfare from three
trumpeters stationed the further end of the
main corridor announced the approach Of the
President and The receiving party At the same
the President and Mrs Roosevelt appeared
on the upper landing. and, arm III arm, descended
the stairway while the Marine Band played Hail
70 the Chief" The President bowed he passed
along, frequently giving a CHEEKY response TO New
Years greetings from those in the line. Following
iae President and his wife came the Secretary OF
State and Mrs. Hay. the Secretary Of the Treasury,
the Secretary OF War and Mrs. Root, the Secretary
O. the Navy and Miss Long. the Postmaster Gen
srsl and Mrs. Smith, the Attorney General and
Ms. Knox, the Secretary Of the Interior and Mrs.
hitchcock, the Secretary OF Agriculture and Miss
wilson, and Secretary and Mrs COrtelyou. Mrs:
roosevelt looked exceedingly pretty and youthfuI
a white dress. The material was q heavy white
Ak. corded about an inch apart. square or IrisIi
ace with reyers OF lace trimmed me bodice: ana
ne hlgh collar, also OF lace, was hInshea az tne
back with a rosette OF white tUlle. A few jewels
combs held back the smoothly dressed hair. An
ornament Of white leaves In which diamond drops
she carried was OF pink and purple orchids Mrs.
hoot wore pale blue satin striped crepe and a, a
ueep colarette Of Irish point Mrs. Knox was IN
snrte brocade and crystal passeTnenteries Mrs.
smith wore light gray SATIN Mrs Hitchcock mauVe
trocade and lace and Miss Wilson white satin that
lad appliques Of leaves and in natural coors
sole and wore the pearls and diamond ornaments
!nat were her fathers Christmas gifts Mrs Cor
sSaou wore black velvet, with broad bands OF
duchess point. Her sister, Miss Hinds. wore black
The President and his party took their station
= the Blue Paror with the President and Mrs
slasp Ihe hands OF CARERS as lney "sIe an an
IN iDeheeo Inc women OF the Cabinet formed a long