The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1905-01-03
BRILLIANT
SPECTACLE.
CHARACTERIZED BY TRUE DE-
MocRAcY AND ALL coMERS
WERE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
MANSION BEAUTIFULLY DECO
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. FOR TARl
SAFETY OF PRESIDENT.


resident Washington to-day extended
New Years greetings to the Presidenes
and Mrs. Roosevelt at the White
House. The event, brilliant and spec
tacular as the presidents New Years.,
receptions always are-marked thaf
formal opening.of the social season OF !
1906.
The. reception was characterized by
true democracy. The portals of thea
White 'Honse SWING wide for all thssi
world. All were~we1eonaed to-the ms-s
toric mansion and afforded the oppor-i
tunity personally to greet both the!
President and Mrs. Roosevelt. Thou-3
sands embraced this opportunity.
Floral Decorations. 5
The floral decorations, while notA
elaborate, were more prUfuse than
have characterized recent White
House receptions. Rare varieties OF
palms were dispersed effectively about
the vestibule and main corridor, while{
In the great rectangular bases between
the veStfbule and the corridor palms
and ferns formed a striking back!
ground for thesscarlet uniforms Of the
band. In the state dining room, in
the east room and in the red, blue !,
and green parlors, rare cut flowers
were arranged with consummate art3
and effectiveness the delicate. colors
of lilies and orchids being -aecentuated
here and there by blaze Of flaming
red or splash of vivid green.
Approach of President.
The beginning Of the reception was
announced by a fanfare sounded byf
tTumpeters of the marine band sta
toned near the foot of the main stairs
case. The fanfare signalized the ap-
proach of the president. Preceded by
his military aide, Colonel Charles S..
Cromwell, and his naval aide, Com
mander Cameron MeR Winslow.,
president Roosevelt, escorting Mrs. :
Roosevelt, descended the stairs, fol-
lowed by the members of the cabinet
and their ladies, constituting the inn
mediate receiving party. The distin-
guished party crossed the corridor
and passing through the green parlor,
entered the blue parlor, where the4
President and Mrs. Roosevelt received.
their guests. The guests invited TOD
be behind the line already had as-:s
sembhed in the blue parlor. When the
President and Mrs. Roosevelt had
greeted formally the msmbers Of the
cabinet, among whom Secretary Taft,
Secretary Morton, Secretary Meteahr
and T1stmaster General Wayne were
parbtcIp attng for the first time in az
New Years reception as the prssi-
dents advisers, they extended cordiaLs
greetings to others in the room who
had assembled to assist them. Both
the President and Mrs. Roosevelt were.
IN excellent spirits and joined animate
eddy in conversation with their,gueas.!
The president was attiredi in a regularl
fTock suit and, as usual, wore q. turul
down collar and dark four in hand tie.
The Receiving Party.
The receiving party was arranged,
in the arc Ola circle in tlre4south end
OF the blue parlor, facing the partyi-
behind the line. Between the two
sectipns was a lane foEmAd BY old :
gold silkSVelyet cord through which
the guests passed from the red paflorS
to the green paElor. Near the en-S
trance to the Fed room the President
and Mrs. Roosevelt stood. Directly in2
the door stood a secret service officer,
Who closely serutinjzed every person
who passed in line. Every precaution
was taken throughout the house to in
sure the safety of the president and
others, an extra detail of police, be-
side several secret service officers.
being on duty. Nobody was permits
ted to. carry 'handkerchefs OF nufHers
in his hands and none were passed.
along the. line with hands in hfs
pockets.
By the presidents direction no. abb
solute limit Of time was placed on the
reception. The reception Of guests
began shortly. after IL O'Clock. An
hour or more before that time the
lines ofscallers began. to form.
As the callers entered the White
House they were greeted by a burst
Of melody from. the marine band, sixty
pieces strong, stationed in the great
vestfbule under the baton Of Lieuten-f
ant Santfeman; blaze Of color and a
breath Of perfume from beautiful floral
decorations, and scene of splendor,
the brilliance which was enhanced
by the soft glow from myrids of -shad-S
ed electric lights.