Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-01-07
SOCIAL SEASON
Official Inauguration by Annual
Reception at the White
House.
6,711 PEOPLE IN LINE
The President shook Hands with Ali
Received Callers AT the Rate of 80
a Minutc-Scc. 1Iny Unable 70
Attend--ColOinbin without
Representative.
6,7tt PEOPLE IN LINE

Washington, Jan 1.President and Mrs.
Roosevelt naugurated to-day the official
social season in the nations capital with
Il brilliant reception at the White House.
Eleven o'clock was the hour fixed for the
beginning of the reception For half
hour before that time carriages contain
ing members of the diplomatic corps rolled
up to the southern entrance of the house.
the amba ssadors, ministers and attaches
of the embassies and legations assembling,
as usual, In the red parior. All were at
tired in magnificent court costumes or
handsome military or naval uniforms, and
with sparkling epaulets and giistcning
swords, presented a gorgeous spectacle.
Among the representatives of the nations
OF the world. it was noticed that there
was one absentee. Colombia one of this
country's sister republics of the south
was not represented at the reception.
Among some of the diplomats this was
regarded rs significant
At eleven o'clock a fanfare of trumpctS
announced the opening OF tho reception
and the approach of the President and
Mrs. Roosevelt. President Roosevelt es-
corting Mrs. Roosevelt, descended the
| main staircase and passed to the blue
parlor where the guests were received.
| They were followed by members OF the
cabinet and their accompanying ladies
| and members of the immediate receiving
party
| ~
| line was Secretary of State Hay. who is
confined to his home by illness. Mrs.
| Hay. however, was in the line.
| The introductions were made by Col
| Thomas W. Synons, the Presidents mill
tary aide, assisted by several military
| officers OF lesser rank. First to be re-
! ceivcd were the members of the dipo-
mati' corps All OF the ambassadors and
minister's were accompanied by their en-
| tire suites. AS dean of the corps. Count
Cassini. the Russian ambassador md mas
ter of the imperial court. occupied the
position of honor ut the head of the line.
Following the representatives of for
cirn governments came the members of
the cabinet, senators and congressman.
The military contingent followed the con-
2rrSSm'n. For the first time at a recep-
ton the army was led Ivy officers of the
general staff. Lieutenant General Young
led the line wearing the three stars and
the title of chief of staff. Accompanying
him WIS General ChafIee, now assistant
chief of staff. who within few days
will succeed General Young on the lat
trr'T retirement for age. Following them
were officers of the general staff. bureau
chiefs and their assistant officers OF
duty in the vicinity of Washington ana
retired officers.
Following the army were the Officers
, OF the navy headed by Admiral Dewey.
! rhe reception was concluded at 2:1
O'Clock. Mrs. Roosevelt and the ladies o
the cabinet stood in the receiving linz
: until ! 10.
During the last hour the President greet
ed his callers at the rate .: 80 Il minute
{ The livlest music in its rcpertory and of
iIcers of the marine band stationed at IN
tervals along the line kept the people mov
9 ing rapidly.
A prominent incident of the RECEIPT iol
was the exchange of greetings hetwee!
the President and Sir Henry Irving. Fo
several minutes the line was stopped
,. while the President and Sir Henry chat
|, ted. The President introduced him T.
Il Mrs Roosevelt and Secretary Root ant
S then invited him to take a place behin
a the line among the receiving party. 81
T Henry remained for nearly an hour Dur
n ing three hours and II minutes the presi
dent received 6.,ll people. He had give
n orders that the reception should contnu
d uail all who were in line had been re
oil