The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1905-02-02
WV YEARS DAY AT MANILA
rke Governors Reception Is Popular
and Most Interesting Social
Function.

The palace is q rambling old two
story building on the very bank OF the
Pasig river and surrounded on the other
three sides by beautifully kept gar
den Of 30 acres. The entrance 70 the
grounds is through high and stately
wrought iron gate at which police
man is always stationed.
On New Years day, as on the occasion
Of all the large receptions Of which
there are many, carriages are In line
TOR bIocks, and large posse Of police
mer 10 necessary to keep the wheels
rom getting into a hopeless tangie.
The New Years receptions are usually
held from to 1880. but when an even
Ing function is held the trees about the
grounds are filled with colored lanterns.
and as one drives slowly through the
curved roadway leading to the port
:ochere the whole scene suggests bit
Of fairyland 1t Is possible, also, to
enter the grounds from the river side,
md those who possess launches usually
arrive that way to avoid the crowd.
a policeman stands at the broad door.
which is on a level with the ground
and Il surmounted by the Spanish
coat-of-arms IN high relief--a dignided
and impressive relic OF monarchical
ownership. And few rods 10 the left
In the grounds a band Is stationed.
sometimes one OF the military bands.
and again the constabulary- fine or
ganization made up Of Flipinos and
led by an American negro-a graduate
Of two eastern colleges.
Through the door one enters a large
gestibule, the walls OF which are en-
tlrely covered with American flags OF
great size. The quartermaster's de-
partment Is drawn upon generously, on
all OF these festive occasions, and the
building is filed with the red, white and
bine in the heroic sizes that drape so
veil over large archways and areas,
A broad staircase like that Of a pub
tic building leads 10 the living rooms
upon the second floor. where the recep-
tion takes place All OF the rooms are
Of great size, and the first one entered.
though very large. Is only a gateway
10 the others. as the crowd naturally
gravitates In the direction Of the veran-
da Some interesting paintings hang
ia this room. hoWeeer~thc one that at.
tracts he most attention being life
sized portrait Or the queen regent Of
Spain.
Gov. and Mrs. Wright and the others
5f the receiving party stand in the state
drawirg-room. The walls are finished
IN a plain deep shade OF red and the
only ornaments hung upon them are
huge oval shaped eoid-framed mirrors.
The only other furnishings are stately.
teak wood chairs. deli
cately carved. and surmounted by the
OF Spain. The floors IN
this room are especially beautiful,
though All Of the floors In the palace
are OF broad. highly polished wood
something TIE color of our black wal
nut The state drawIng-room. later on.
s used for dancing. and an orchestra
Tor that purpose is stationed in the hall
Just outside the door
A broad veranda surrounds three
sides OF another large drawing room,
and oyerlookr the garden and the pic
luresque Pasig river. with the moon
lowering above IN its own romantic
way Punch bowls are stationed at diff
'erent points. and China boys in long
white linen gowns reaching to the floor.
Or sometimes IN brilliant sstins, are
called here and there for ices or other
A billiard and smoking room is az
me end Of the yeranda: and at the op-
'osite side OF the house IS the dining
+oom-souare. and OF immense size. It
3 one OF the handsomest rooms In the
palace and the color scheme Is deep
sreen, which sets on well the beauti-
uliy carved black wood furniture. AT
he table. in tho center Of the room.
me or two Of Mrs. Wrights friends pour
ca. and from thevari0us sideboards and !
,uffets can be had all Of the dainty re-
reshments usually served on such oc-
.aslons.
At these functions the Filipino Wom-
n usually display an of their diamonds. /
md many OF them nave fortunes in /
iecklaces. tits a brilliant and interest
ng assemblage. but. though an Amer I
can affair. the atmosphere Is distinctly
orelgn. French. Spanish. German.
English. Tagalog ana various other Ian
uages in minor quantities blend into /
veritable babel OF togeues. Every 1
hade OF complexion is on view from /
oal black to white; ana the costumes
ange from the flowing robes OF the vari-
us Catholic orders to the brilliantly I
costumes Of the dcsSotees
Confucius. The gowns Of the Amer
ran women are usually OF the iilmiest
{ materials. and only q very lightweight
frap. or possibly thin silk scarf, is
n that Is necessary while passing
trough the streets on January I.
Everybody IS 1t the paiace on New
ears day. and everyone feels that b.
5 welcome. for Gov. and Hrs. Wright
oth Of whom are exceedingly popular
re fortunate in having an easy and hap