The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-01

pIeSlQeHt ana MIS-. Roosevelt anu H# e4-
changing with them the compliments Of
the New Year. No distinctions were
made except such as were rendered neces-
sary in the preservation Of order; and
the greetings extended to all-high and
low. rich and poor-were alike cordial and
sincere. III. FL
First Sight OF the New White House.
To-day the general public, for the first
time, had an opportunity to see the widely
heralded improvements In the White
ouse-improvements which when COM
pleted will have cost about 5000, 900. In
addition to a desire personally to wish
the president and Mrs. Roosevelt a happy
new year hundreds of persons were at
tracted to the reception by wish to see
the White House In It's new and hand
some interior finish and furnishings. To
many who were familiar with the interior
Of the mansion as It was year ago the
changes made were revelation. While.
in a general way, the form Of the interior
has been retained In beauty and effective
ness 1t is wholly different Just l02 years
ago to- day President John Adams and hts
wife opened the White House with
new years reception to their friends and
to the public generally. The dawn OF the
first fete day within the walls since be-
come historic, was accompanied by the
noise Of saw and hammer. as was this
day. On account Of the unfinished condi-
ton Of the lower floor President and Mrs.
Adams received their guests in the room
on the second floor now occupied Dy
President Roosevelt as a library. While
the improvements now are more nearly
completed than was the mansion itself at
that time it will be several months before
the workmen will have finished their task.
Wonderful Floral Decorations.
An hour before the time for the formal
reception to begin the mansion was aglo"
with myriads of electric lights. To the
brilliance of the great crystal chandeliers
and the splendor of the new furnishings
was added the beauty OF the floral decor,
ations which although few as compared
with those of previous new years recep-
tions at the White House were arranged
with coI1sunainate art and eMscrfRenese
Towering palms of rare Sar.elles were
placed in inches about the vestfbule, main
corridors and staircases. Two great
square masses of American and Engllsh
holly were arranged between the vestloule
and main corridor affording brliilant
and effective background for the nand
some scarlet uniforms of the marine qano
sixty pieces strong, when occupied tleie
of seats in the vestibule.
In the red, blue and green rooms ano
In the splendid east room were disposed
few vases containing cut flowers, pr1ncl-
paIly large white lilies and lilies OF the
valley. Here and there poinsetta blossoms
showed splashes Of flaming red It was
noticeable. however, that the floral decor
ations had been subordinated to the new
furnishings and finishing Of the rooms.
It was a merry day for the Roosevelt
children. Prior to the reception, they had
a, tolly time in the lower part OF the house
Thev manifested the livliest interests In
all the arrangements. ..-.. :
Diplomatic Corps Assemblies.
! Shortly before IL o'clock. the hour al
| which the reception began, the diplomatic
corps entered the mansion from the south
| side as usual, in order to avoid the CRUST
| of the throng already gathered about the
| main entrance on the north side. Under
the glare Of the electric candelabra the
spectacle presented by this cosmopolitan
| gathering attired in magnificent court uni
! forms. sparkling epaulettes and gl1steninG
swords, showing respondent against thu
| red velvet walls and the ivory WOODWARD
| was gorgeous --'s- a.. '.- r. -.
| The President Arrives.
| Promptly at II o'clock the trumpeters O.
| the marine band sounded a fanfare, an
nouncing the approach OF the presiden
! and Mrs, Roosevelt and the immediate re
| ceivng party. President Roosevelt, will
! Mrs Roosevelt on his arm, descended tn
main staircase and, passing across tn
main corridor and through the greer
room. entered the blue room where tn
guests were received. Following then
came members of the cabinet and thei
accompanying ladies. The receiving part
was arranged in the arc OF a circle in tn
bow window of the blue room. Facin
them were the ladies' invited to assis
4 at the reception. Between the two sec
tons of the receiving party a lane wa
formed by cordons of old gold velvet
Through this lane the callers passe
from the red room proceeding through tn
green room into the east room and theme
down the staircase to the east terrace
passing into the street opposite the ives
entrance of the treasury.
The president was in excellent spirit
and Mrs. Roosevelt never seemed happie
or more gracious. The president was at
tired in frock suit and the only dash q
color about his attire was q tie of grayis
tint.
" Mrs. Rooseveit's Costume.
The following ladies We're invited t,
assist: Mrs. Hay. Mrs. Shaw, Mrs. Knox
Mrs. Payne and Miss Wilson. @
Mrs. Root and Mrs. Hitchcock, being il
mourning, did not attend the reception.
Il Mrs. Roosevelt wore a. gown of ecr,
lace over blue Inousseline de sole, Mis-.
Roosevelt a white silk gown with lace
Mrs. Hay wore a white 'feur de Velours'
trimmed with duchesse lace. Mrs. Shaw
gown was black embroidered silk owe
I yellow silk. Mrs. Payne wore dres
of black lace over pale blue with anne
thyst ornaments. Miss Wilson wore pinl
j satin trimmed with lace and with shirr
|, Iof mousseline on the waist with touche
} Of black. I.
, The weather conditions were ideal, tn
air being crisp but not cold. IT,
The Reception Begins.
The introductions were made by Colone
Theodore A. Bingham, the president
military aide. assisted by Major Charlie
4 Nc awley, Captain John r. Proctor, Jr
4 and Lieutenant Frank Mccoy. The, OF
4 ficers were in full dress uniform.
The members Of the diplomatic corp
i were received first. AS dean Of the corps
{ Herr Won Holleben, the German ambas
8 sador, occupied the post Of honor at tn
head Of the line. All Of the ambassador
land ministers were accompanied by thei
entire suites, their uniforms weighte
with wealth of gold lace and rich orna
!. Imentation and decorations. The Chinese
Legation was represented by Mr.. She