The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-01-01
President Roosevelt and Family Keep
Open House and thousands
Paid Their Respects to
Chief Executive.
A SUCCESSFUL AFFAIR
Was a Fitting Close of New Years
Receptions of Seven Years
Misunderstanding
Notable People.

WASHINGTON, ID. ", Jan.
Neighbor Roosevelt, surrounded py
his family and a few invited friends
kent omen house today, and there
wasn't one of the thousands who paia
their respects and wished the host
Happy New Year who didn't say II
was the most successful AT Home
given by the Roosevelts since they
moved into the White House Win
their belongings seven years come
last last September.
Many distinguished folks, including
what is recognized as the -Four
Hundred" in these parasitic diplomat
ic corps-were among the specially
invited guests, as were also those lot
tunate enough to move in the select
social and official circles OF the manly
host and charming hostess Inc
townspeople were there in overwhelm-
ing numbers.
All We'd to make the occasion
memorable one, from the distinguish
ed representatives of crowned heads,
in vari-colored uniforms heavy with
geld braid-and with courtly bow and
a near touch of the finger tips IN
greeting-to the quietly clad plain
people" with CHEEKY we'll wishes and
hand clasp like wise.
Those who didn't go in carriages
and automobiles held back until after
the foreign notables had departed and
only a few of them saw Mistress
Roosevelt, and her intimates who mad
been standing by her in the receiving
line. or in the much sought after po-
sition of behind the line" This was
because of the custom which has
grown up of the good woman of the
White House serving light refresh
ments to the ladies of the cabinet,
before they leave for their respec-
tive homes to receive New Years
calls themselves.
The genial host, enured to great
physical strain. firmly stood his
ground throughout the trying ordeal
CT over three hours, and generously
punlp-handled each and every guest
without fear or favor and regardless
of race. color, previous condition OF
servitude. or sect. The fiXings added
much to the success of the event
music by the Marine band. floral dec
orations, and palms of tropical lux.
uriance.
On the stroke of II o'clock, four
buglers from the band stepped from
their scarlet-coated fellows stationed
in the main entrance hall and sound
co the call "The President" as they
reached the foot of the staircase lead
ing to the family apartments ON the
second floor.
In moment Neighbor Roosevelt
and his wife started the descent of the
staircase, to the strains of THE Star
Spangled Banner and made their
way to the south side of the Blue
Room, followed by the Vice-President
and Mrs. Fairbanks and the members
CT tile cabinet The ladies took their
position at the right and formed a
part of the receiving line for more
than an hour.
The presentation of foreign ambas
sailors and ministers was real swell
They entered by the south entrance
exclusively reserved for them, and
slowly made their way to the host and
fostess with their wives and members
OF their suites. Each diplomat was at
tired in the court costume BETTING
his rank. The dean of the corps, the
Italian ambassador Baron EdmondC
Mayor des Planches, led the line as he
has for several years, but there were
many changes in the representation
of the other governments which fol
lowed
Baron Won Sternburg, the Presi
dents close friend, removed by death
was greatly missed His place was
taken by Count John Heinrich vor
Bernstorff, as the personal represen
tative of the German Emperor, ant
who was accompanied by tie Coun
tess, an American who has not seer
the land of her nativity before fol
twenty-five years. Having arrived but
recently, the Count came at the foot
Il the line of ambassadors. just be
fore the Haitian minister, instead o.
RANKING fourth as did his predecess
or, and following the richly gownet
ambassadorial party of Prince Tant
Shao vi and his distinguished suite
The full dress of the rince's party
! was of gorgeousness that had nevel
I before been seen in this town, ant
it paled almost into significance thu
dress of DR.. WI, the ro-appointet
/ Chinese minister, who appeared TO
the first time in several years
/ Baron Kogoro Takahira, who wa
| formerly mere minister, came toda,
| for the first time to New Years re