Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-01-01
From Washington.
Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette.
Washington, Jan. /.

! auO lht ptdib pcoPiS VIM uOlu ho
public places, all gathered at the White
House today to pay their respects TO
President and Mrs. Roosevelt. The
doors of the mansion we're thrown open
at II O'Clock, and for three hours the
stream Of people filed past the President
and his lady in the Blue Parlor. 20
days reception was one of the most brill
liant in history. Among other features
was real Vice President, a dignitsry
not seen at a similar celebration for eight
wears. Vice President Hobart was the
last one of that rank to pariicipa until
today when Mr.. Fairbanks took his place
at the head of the Cabinet line. Mrs.
Fairbanks ranked the ladies OF the Cabi-
net circle al Mrs. Roosevelps right
hand. and Miss Alice Roosevelt was the
beheld of all beholders in the crowd Of
girls gathered 10 the Green Room.
There were several new faces in the
diplomatic corps. Baron Rosen replaced
Count Cassini and instead Of being at
the front OF the foreign contingent, the
Russian representative was sixth, or
next to last in the ambassadorial list.
Japan had no minister in the line, as
Baron Aoki the newly selected repre-
sentative of the MikadO has not yet ar
rived The decorations OF the White
House and the general arrangement OF
details were practically the same as those
of a year ago. The Marine Band OF
sixty pieces, was stationed in the vesti-
bule; palms and ferns nodded from corner
inches and cut flowers in vases lent color
and fragrance to every room. Before
nine O'Clock a line Of citizers began
forming outside the grounds aud by
noon had grown several squares in
length.
The clock had scarcely done Ginning
the hour of eleven before two trUmpeters,
stationed at the foot of the marble
stairt ase leading from the upper
story of the mansion, heralded the
approach of the President. Preceded
by his military and naval aides, the Presi-
dent came down the steps as the last
notes of the trumpets died away. Mrs.
Roosevelt was leaning upon his arm,
aud, Immediately behind them, appeared
Vice President and Mrs. Fairbanks,
Secretary of the State and Mrs. Root and
the remainder of the Cabinet. Follow
ing custom the members of the Dip:o-
matte Corps were first to wish the Presi-
dent the compliments of the season. In
the lead came Mr.. Ladisaus Hengel-
muller Won Hengervar, Ambassador
from Austria Hungary. Baron EdmOndO
Mayor DIES Plancheo, the Italian AM
bassador ranks the Ambassadors, but he
i, absent a present. Ambassador Cen
gelmuler wore resplendent uniform.
One OF the quietiest looking gentlemen
ofthe foreign assemblage was Mr.. Hague,
the first minister fom Norway. The only
gold about his dress WAS that upon bis
cuffs and collar, and a single row of
buttons down bis front. The Chinese
minister, in his flowing robes OF sky
blue, claimed perhaps the most atten-
ton of any iG the line. Sir Chentung
LANG Cheng's heroic proportions set off
to p'endid advantage every inch OF silk
and gold be wore.
After the diplomats came the MEM
bers of the Supreme Court, the states
men from Congress, the officers OF the
army and the navy, the various officials
of the government, the patriotic socie-
ties, the commissioners OF this, that and
the other special department, the Off
Gals Of the District of Columbia, and
the thousands of the everyday people
who had been waiting for hours for a
chance to hold President RoosevelPs
hand for the fraction of a second.
The weather could not have been more
pleasant lift had been made to order. The
sun shone brightly and the atmosphere
was clear and crisp. Following the White
House reception the Secretary of State
and Mrs. Root gave a breakfast in their
10Th street home for the diplomatic
corps. In the afternoon, Mrs. Fair
banks and the ladies' of the Cabinet kept
open house at their various residences.
The most interesting feature Of the
official event was the appearance in
the East Room of Congressman Niche
las LongSorth, of Ohio, and Miss Alice
Roosevelt, the Presidents daughter,
leaning lightly on his arm. Instantly
the hum of animated conversation ceased.
Members Of the diplomatic corps, grave
justices of the Supreme Court, high dig
nitaries of the army and navy and of the
other branches of official life flOcked
about them and quite overwhelmed them
with congratulations and New Years
wishes. Those who could not get to
them contented themselves with remain
ing in the fringes of the crowd, rubber
ing at the happy lovers to their hearts
content. Miss Roosevelt aud her fancee
remained in the public gaze for quite
time, then disappe red into one OF the
private apartments of the White House.
Douglass. Bell, a veteran of the war
with Spain, who makes his home at the
Soldiers Home in this city, created con-
siderable excitement at 1890 p. M, by
falling in a fit while 10 line in the White
House grounds, awaiting his turn to
greet the Presi lent. He was hustled to
the Emergency Hospital in an ambu-
lance.
ia order that they might use their
free transportation before the anti-pass
orders of the railroads went into effect,
many members Of Congress have cur.
tailed their holiday visit home, and
reached the city Saturday and yesterday.
Had they waited until TODAY. January