Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1902-02-06
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Herald Correspondent at National Capital
Writes of Congressional Reception.

Iarly known as FIhe Congressional
Reception, took place on last Thurs
day evening and proved the most en-
ioyable, as we'll as the smallest, of
this years receptions at the White
House, although sixteen hundred
persons were present. The use OF
door cards in connection with the in
vitations prevented the attendance of
large percentage of unlimited guests,
as was usual during former admins
trations, and materially added to the
comfort and enjoyment of those
present.
The great clock in the main corridor
did not ceased striking nine, when,
with military precision, the President
and Mrs Roosevelt, attended by Com
mander Cowles and General Bingham,
and followed by Miss Roosevelt and
those ladies who had been invited to
receive, appeared on the landing of
the West Staircase and the buglers of
the Marine band sounded the Presi-
dents call as the party decended to
the blue room when there, they took
up their places in what is termed the
receiving line A few moments were
spent in greeting those especially in
vited to place ''behind the line" be-
fore the more formal reception began.
On the east side Of the White House
is a large room, doubtless considered
spacious enough for every conceivable
emergency by it's designers, but in
these days of great functions it's ca
pacity is often overtaXed. This is
known as s'the East Room. Extend
ing from it, through the center of the
building, is the long corridor in the
West end of which is the stair case,
usually referred to as "the private
Staircase, to distinguish it from that
in the east end of the building which
is used by the public in it's comings
and goings to the Presidents office, or
Cabinet ROOM, which is over the
East room. Under the west landing
IS the entrance to the long conserva-
tory in which Lieutenant Santelmann
and his famous Marine Band are usu-
ally stationed, the high arched roof
serving to mellow the tones Of the
heavier brass instruments and the
rich green foliage presenting an ex-
cellent back ground for the brilliant
scarlet uniforms to the band. Open
ing off Of the long corridor and back
of it are the red, blue and green rooms,
so called from the prevailing colors OF
the decorations. 1t is in the center
room. that the President receives his
guests.
just inside the door into the Red
room stood Lieutenant Gilman, re-
questing the guests to walk single file
and as we entered the Blue room
Major McCauley asked the name of
each person, announcing it to the
President and party. The most
striking feature OF this years recep
ton is the cordial hand shake of MIR.
Roosevelt whose manner expresses
even better than words, a genuine and
cordial welcome, manner which he
preserves throughout the evening ir-
respective of the hour OF the number
of guests. A member OF Congress
whom [ met just as he emerged from
the green room, remarked referring
to the President, ''The magnetism of
that man is wonderful. | am totally
opposed to him politically. but |
never come in contact with him with
out feeling the charm which emauates
from his sturdy manliness", and he
expressed the sentiment which, in
one form or another one hears on
every side.
According to the ethics of the news
paper office every woman who posses.
ses wealth or social position should
be described as beautiful but candor
compels the admission that neither
Mrs. Roosevelt nor her daughter
possess beauty. Mrs. Roosevelt has
refined, attractive face and charm
mo manners which evidently are
prompted by goodness of heart an
instance of which occurred Thursday
evening. At these receptions Mrs.
Roosevelt does not shake hands but
Speaker Henderson evidently forgot
that fact and put out his hand. With
quick perception, and evidently de-
string to save the cid gentleman from
embarrassment, Mrs. Roosevelt in
stantly extended hers and MI. Hender-
son was the only guest so favored.
Miss Roosevelt has pleasing face,
displaying too much character in her
features to be pretty. She has an
abundance of brown hair and a slight
girlish figure, and dresses as young
GIRL rather than as the usual society
debutante.
The scene in the East room was