The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1909-01-08
THE WHITE HOUSE
RECEPTION.
Consisted of a Big Array Of
Distinguished NobIemen.
As Well as a Big Bunch Of
Plain Everyday
Americans.

WdSillsUOn, ~. " Jdnluary o.
New Years day at the National Cap
ital this year was marked by the
usual festivities and fine, bracing
temperature with sunshine, contrlbut-
ed TO the making of the gravest Of
all the day of the year.
The President to whom it means
about fifteen hours of hard work held
his usual public reception and as this
will be the last opportunity for the
ordinary citizen to shake hands with
Mr.. Roosevelt in the White House
the number VINO stood In line to be
received this year was unusually
large. Even two hours before time
the line had bugun 10 form at the,
White House gates and by one O'Clock
when the public reception began it
extended for sevral blocks. II was
the average good humored crowd that
gathered though and during the
weary cold hours which it Taited pa
tiently to be admitted and showed
by the Chief Executive there Was no
sign of disturbance or discomfort
The President seemed in high spirits
and though 1t requires remarkable
unfailing good humor DO act In deal
with this yearly throng he seemed
on this occasion to be supplied with
AN added amount of enthusiasm and
the heartiness with which he grasp
ed the hand of each visitor made 1t i'm
possible TO believe that he was not
as he said "dee-lighted" to greet each
and every one of tlAem.
There were many excursionfstB from
other cities and towns who had come
for the purpose Of taking thisytheir
last opportunity, TO shake his hand.
AT eleven O'Clock the President and
Mrs. Roosevelt and their debutande
daughter joined the receiving party
In the Blue Room and the Cabinet Of
flcials and Foreign Diplomats. Army
and Navy officers and a sprinkling of
Senators and Representatives were
welcomed.
There were several interesting fig
ures among the Diplomatic corps and
when Baron Mayer des Planches the
Italian Ambassador came forward the
President retained his hand while he
expressed his heartfelt sympathy for
the King and Queen of Italy In the
terrible disaster In their country. The
Baron in reply thanked the President
for the generous action of the Gov
eminent In sending a supply ship 10
the stricken district. At last years
reception Baron Van Sternberg, the
German Ambassador was dean OF the
corps and led the brilliant process
sion of diplomats. His place was
taken this year by the successor Count
Bernstorff who as the latest addi-
ton to the corps was the last to
greet the President, and his wife.who
Is an attractive American woman mad
her first entrance In the white House.
Another interesting figure was that
of the Chinese envoy, Prince Tang
Shao VI, who came here few weks
ago with large suite 10 present the
thanks OF the Chinese Government
for the return OF the Surplus Boxer
indemnity fund and incidentally it is
said tn make an effort to effect a
treaty between the two countries. He
Is big handsome Chinaman OF dis
manners and most gor-
geous costumes. At one o'clock uhe
ladies of the Cabinet, and the wives
Of the prominent officials with Mrs.
and Miss Cannon THE daugh
ter Of the Speaker. hurried away 10
their homes to prepare for their own
rece ptions which began at two O'Clock
and continued throughout The after
noon. Then the pubic was addIitted
to the White House and until three
O'Clock Without rest or in;ermission
the President greeted those who had
waited since early morning for admit
tanoe. When at last the doors were
closed the line of disappointed ones
WHO were turned away was still more
than a block. in length. This con-
Guided the largest and the last OF the
Presidents New Years receptions dur
Ing a seven years administration. He
entertained a large number at lunch
con and again On the evening well
coined a number of his personal
friends and officials at dinner, man
aging Sometime in the iterim betwss