Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1906-03-19
Roney Boys
Al White House

History does not record a more re-.
markable gathering at the White
House than that OF last Christmas.
States dinners, diplomatic receptions
aud cabihet meetings gave way to
childhood. and the machinery OF our
great government stopped for a time
while hundreds Of children, invited by
Mrs. Roosevelt to hear "Roney's Boys"
Ut Chicago, took possession Of the
home OF presidents. In point OF size,
the records OF the White House do
not show such q wonderful gathering
OF children. In respect 10 quality Il
was no less remarkable. The assist.
ance Of the state and war depart.
ments' was enlisted by Mrs, Roosevelt
to ascertain the names Of all children
between & and l6 years OF age In the
families of the diplomatic corps. and
officers OF the army and navy, and
equal care was exercised that none
were overlooked Ia the families Of the
cabinet. supreme court. senators. re-.
representatives.. assistant secretaries.
heads Of departments. and the accred.
tied Newspaper correspondents IN.
Washington.
II was therefore. a distinctly repre-.
sentative gathering from the first
families Of the nation and Of foreign
governments. In Official and social
life. And the walls OF thc historic
''east ROOM" teeming with memories
OF respondent ceremonials and state.
ly functions. never looked. down upon
a fairer scene than upon these hun.
dreds OF lovely children in holiday at.
tire the very flower of the land
who waited With eager expectancy
the opening OF the program.
Across the entire north or front end
Of the east room stretched the daz-
cling Golden Organ Chimes" and
the platform erected for the boys,
and between them the $4,000 90 gold
used by Mr.. Roney through.
out the program, a superb creation
entirely covered with gold leaf ami
bearing on IT, sides the coats OF arms
OF the thirteea original states. paint.
ed by famous artists. The program
included severa: old Christmas carols
especially requested by the president
asad Mrs. Roosevelt.
During the serving Of refreshments
that followed In the state dining
room, the east room was cleared Of
the gold and silver chairs-a crash
Of music from the famous marine
band, and like magic the great room
was filled with flying fairy figures
reflected on the polished floor.
A prettier scene was ne'er beheld
these historic walls. Veterans
n the social. political and business
world wished themselves again in
,hildhood's realm, as they looked long
md lovingly on the ~bewildering pic
.ure, which the happy participants
Will describe to their grandchildren
many years hence. and which In its
many sided attractiveness can scarce
y nope TO be eAcelled In the present
generation.
Not a detail was omitted BY Mrs
roosevelt that could contribute to the
Of her little guests, who
made to feel SO much at home
hat their youthful awe at the honor
i being guests OF the FIRST lady Of
he land at the White House Quickly
way to unalloyed enjoyment.
The president, whose greatness OF
cart Is attested by his u~nbounded
pve for children, dropped the wear
ng cares Of the nation and refreshed
is soul at the fountain Of youth,
with the children, cordially
to every ore and even carry. I
ng refreshments to the little ones !
yerlooked In the crowd, and seeing J
hat the tiniest was not neglected.
This famous concert company viii
ppear at the Duncan April II, under
he auspices Of the city schools.