The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-01-04

Washington, January president
and Mrs. ROOsevelt's new years re-
ceptiOn at the White house was a
brilliant function and was attended,
by about $500 persons. The members
Of the diplomatic corps, officers OF The
army and navy n representatives Of
the national and district government
and OF the citizen public attended.
President Roosevelt gave each of his
callers a cordial shake of the hand.
After the diplomatists had been re-
ceived Secretary and Mrs. Root left
the line in the blue room. and one
by one the members of the cabinet
and their wives deserted the president
in order to hold receptions at their
WI homes. At l o'clock Mrs. Rcose
welt left her husbands side and
only the military and naval aides and
Secretary Wilson remained WITH him
until the last person in the great
throng had passed through the blue
room.
1t was a perfect day. The sun shone
brightly and the air was SO warm that
the thousands who stood in line for
hours suffered no discomforts because
Of the weather. 1t was generally re-
marked that the proportion of negroes
in the line was smaller than in pre-
vious years, but a number of negro
civil war veterans and Spanish war
veterans joined with military and pa
triOtic societies in extending greetings
to the president.
There was an unusually large num-
Der of children in line and all were
greeted cordially by the president.
One of the most amusing figures in
the line was a ten year old boy, with
sOiled hands and clothes. who carried
a pair of roller skates thrown over
his shoulder. The president laughed
heartily as he wished the little fellow
a happy new year.
A pretty little girl carried n yrcaI
white Teddy bear past the reception
party and provoked a hearty laugh
from the crowd gathered in the blue
room.
Mrs. LOngwOrth and the other child
rem of the president were at the White
house for the reception and with their
friends moved constantly through the
crowd. Miss Ethel vas prettily
ed in pink and was much admired
Rear Admiral Cowles and Mrs.
Cowles, the presidents sister, were
also with the members Of the presi-
dents family during the reception.
Only three wives of ambassadors at
tended today's receptiOn-the Baroness
Sternburg, wife of the German ambas-
sador, the Baroness Rosen. wife of the
Russian ambassador, and Viscountess
Aoki, wife of the Japanese ambassador.
Included in the large number invited
to assist IN the blue room were Miss
Mary Hartman, Mrs. and Miss For
aker. Mrs. Hobson, Mrs. Whitelaw
Reid, Miss Pauline Morton and Nine
de Littlinere.
Following an fmmemOrial custom,
the reception Of the president today
was seconded by receptions in homes
of the vice president, cabinet officers,
officers of the army and navy. and
we'll known private citizens OF Wash
Next to the presidents rec2p-
ton in interest was that Of the vice
president and Mrs Fairbanks. Secre-
tary and Mrs. Root entertained the
corps at breakfast, a GUS
tom which was inaugurated by the
first secretary of state.
The members OF the cabinet and
their wives were extended New Years
greetings by hundreds not only of the
set, but of official Washing
ton as we'll. Among the hOstesses
was Miss Helen Cannon, daughter of
the speaker of the house.
Postmaster General and Mrs. COrtel-
YOU, who are in mourning by reason
Of a death in Mrs. Cortelyou's family.
did not receive today, nor did they at
tend the presidential reception at the
house. The reception of Secre-
tary and Mrs. Strauss in their hand
new home was largely attended.