Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-01-02

~ IlO'tStNtll Tie OCCdSlOil WdS
| memorable. In the exchanges of salu-
tatlons there We're many references to
the coming year when he will go to the
African forests.
For some time before the ceremonies
began, men and women representing
every social class began to assemble
i'll front of the beautiful portico OF the
historic white mansion. awaiting an
opportunity to enter and he presented
to the President.
The first greetings of the day were
extended to the President and Mrs
Roosevelt by the Vice President. mem
berS of the cabinet and their ladies.
These Fluctuations were exchanged in
the private rooms on the second floor
of the mansion.
While the Presidential party was
gathering above there was another as
semblage in the state dining room on
the first floor. There, in the prescrib-
ed attire of Their respective courts, We're
the diplomatic representatives accredit
ed to this country. The central figure
was Baron Edmondo Mayor Des Plan
ches, the Italian ambassadors. When at
the head of the lire of diplomats he
passed into the Blue room, President
Roosevelt shook his hand and assured
him of the sincere sympathy of the
American people for his stricken coun-
trymen. Mrs. Roosevelt also expressed
her sympathy.
The decent of the Presidential party
from the private rooms to the blue
room was one of the most picturesque
features of the day. AS the President
and Mrs ROnSpVp1f started down the
staircase, followed by others of the re-
ceiving party, flare of trumpets
responded through the mansion The
Marine Band in brilliant scarlet uni
forms was stationed in the stately hall.
The strain of Hail to the Chief" greet
ed the President as he reached the main
floor and turned to enter the blue ROOM
The announcemnt Of the callers was
made to the President by Col. Ohas
S. Bromwell United States army, and
to Mrs Roosevelt by Capt A. W. ButA
military aide to the President.
Chief Justice Fuller and the as
sociate justices Of the supreme court
of the United States led the entire
judiciary presnt, after which came
senators and representatives. in Con-
gress.
Brig Gen. J. Franklin Bell, chief of
staff led the army. The navy also was
we'll represented.
The officials of the government rep
resenting all important bureaus of the
various departments. many of whom
will retire to private life on March 4,
were followed by representatives of
various patriotic socities, which had been
given places of honor in the line Next
came the general public. After the
public reception the President led the
way to the dining room, where refresh
ments were served
Mrs. Roosevelt left the line before
the public was admitted to the White
House. so had most of the cabinet la
dies and others who had been invited
to step behind the line.
Attending for the first time a public
reception at the White House. We're the
Philippines resident commissioners, Lee
garda and Ocampo.
In the Congressional party Speaker
Cannon was a conspicuous figure and
his greeting to the President was par
ticularly cordial
Mrs. Fairbanks and ladies of the Cabi-
net assisted Mrs. Roosevelt.
The head of the line of the general
public was admitted at 1916 P. NJ
and with the Marine Band playing rag
time the President began his handshak-
ing, greeting his caller at the rate of
nearly so a minute.
Owing to the weather the attendance
of the general public was remarkably
large. Scattered among them were a
few dozen Negroes. The President en-
Enthusiastically greeted the public and
not a single New Year wish was ex-
| tended to him that was not returned
The reception closed at 2.25 when Presi-
dent Roosevelt shock hands with Chief
Usher Thomas Stone. The number at
! tending the reception was announced
| by the automatic counter to have beer
l6O53, which is more than 700 more than
| last year.
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