Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-02
THE NEW YEAR
Welcomed by the Customary
Reception at White House.
President and Mrs. Roosevelt Very
Gracious Toward Their Guests.
Affair So Delightful That Participants
Will Never Forget.

Washington. Jan. 1.--Presidcnt and
Irs. Roosevelt inauguratcd. Friday.
the official social season in the nations
capital with !, brilliant ception at the
White House. For more than 100 years
it has been an Unbroken custom OF
Pres idents Of the United States to re-
ceivc on New Years day all officials of
the government located in Washington
ard such citizens as might care to pay
their respects to the nations chief
magistrate. In addition to citizens of
the United States, members of the
Diplomatic corps always embrace the
opportunity personally to extend to the
President their own good wishes and
the greetings of their governments.
The reception of the President or
New Years day is thoroughly demo-
cratic. That Of Friday. was notably
so. No distinctions of rank or class
lWerc made except such as were rem
dcred necessary by Il due respect for
order. All persons, rich or pooy. with
| or without rank. were given a gracious
| greeting by the President ana Mrs
Roosevelt
The interior of the White House
| never was more beautiful than Friday
The mansion glowcd with electric
lights and floral decorations were dis
posed about the corridors ana parlors
Rare palms, potted plants and exGui-
site cut flowers We're arranged effect
lively in every available space. Great
rectangular urns. banked to the edges
with dwarf palms and holly were plac-
ed between the main corridor and the
vestibule, forming n fitting background
TO- the gorgeous new uniforms of the
Marine band, which GO pieces strong
was seated in the vestibule. The band
furnished music throughout the recep-
tion under the baton of the conductor,
Lieut.. w. H. Santelmann In the Rcd.
Blue and Green pariors the predomi-
nHnt decorations were vases of cut
flowers. chiefly lilies of the valley,
roses and flaming roinsettia blossoms
For the children of the President and
Mrs. Roosevelt is was Il memorable
occasion. They were here, there and
everywhere about the mansion, kav-
ing always merry word for their
friends and deep interest in all the ar
rangements.
Eleven o'clock was the hour fixed for
the beginning of the reception. For a
half hour before that time, carriages
containing members OF the diplomatic I
corps rolled up to the southern en- i
trance Of the White House, tho ambas- |
sadors. ministers and attaches of the /
embassies and legations assembling in I
The State dining room.
All were attircd in magnificent court |
costumes or handsome military or
naval uniforms, and with sparkling |
cpaulets and glistcninG swords. pre-
Scnted a gorgeous spectacle. Among
the representatives OF the nations Of
the world, it was noticed that there
WAS one absentee. Colombia. one Of
this count1y's sister republics Of the
:onth, was not represented ut the re-
ception. In view of the present rcla-
tons between the United States and
tn" government of Colombia. tho alb
Sonco of q representative of the South
American republic was noted instantly.
Indeed. among some of the diplomats
it was regarded as significant and Cen.
Rafael Reyes, the minister or Colon-
bia in this country on a special mission,
did not attend the reception. lest. it is !
his presence at the White ,
House might be misconstructcd by his
people. He therefore had begged to he
Ut. 1fCffan, the COLOMBIAN I
harge d'affaires, was detained at his
residence by Il bronchial affection.
Friday. as a year ago. a new repub- !.
ic was represented for the first time III :
he line Of diplomats. Last year it was .
'uba; this, the republic of Panama NJ. I
being the accredited :
of the infant state. who ex- :
changed greetings with the President
At IL O'Clock, n fanfare of trumpets
announced the opening Of the reception
md the approach Of the President and T
Mrs. Roosevelt. Pres. Roosevelt, es-
orting Mrs. Roosevelt, descended the
main staircase and passed to the Blue
'arlor. where the guests were received
they were followed by members OF the
abinet and their accompanying ladies a
nd members Of the immediate receiv- Z
ng party.
a notable absentee from the receiving :
ire was Sec. Of State Hay. who is CON i
ned to his home by Illness. Mrs Hay,
owever. was in the line She remained
MY a short time leaving early in order
o receive at her home the members of g
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