davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31
Nll1kRI The
fE52.o--Nl l1s-o' H. FHT b1M ROOM SA5EA 4

waited i'm line to see her and Grasp her
hand. Two conspicuous figures at thu
Cleveland levee OF 1889 Were the venerahia
George Bancroft. then in his eighty-ninih
year. and DIR. Mary Walker, who wore "A
Prince Albert suit. while MIR. Bancroft.
after the old-tine custom, came In full
dress.
Friction over Zine precedence" again
broke out in Benjamin Harrison's admin
istration- New Year day. 1890 there was
a dispute to whether the wiic Of the
Secretary Of the Navy or of the Atornsy
General should stand the nearer IA linz
to the Presidents wife and toe decision
was made in favor of the latter. because
her husbands department antedated tha-
of the navy.
The New Year levee was omitted again
in 1893, this time account Of the
cent death of Mrs Harrison. tho Pres
dents Wife. and at the next were pre-
sented the first foreign ambassadors ever
accredited to the United States. At her
last public court DAY, January J. 1897
Mrs. Cleveland is said to have personally
shaken hands with 1000 people. a task
which extended over three hours and
forty minutes.
President Cleveland yielded the am,as-
sailors first place. even above that OF the
Vice President, in the order of prece
dence for guests. but President Mckinley
ruled that the Vice President was the
American heir-apparent, and that mas
much as our ambassadors must yield to
foreign heirs-apparent, the same order
would prevail here. Sir Julian Paunce-
fote protested to the British foreign Of
flee, but was overruled thereby. Presi-
dent Mckinley also introduced the inno-
walton of having bugle blown in the
lower hall to signal his descent into the
blue room when the New Year reception
opened. His first public levee was that
of January 1, 1899, that of 1895 having
been omitted on account of the recent
death of his mother. Mrs Mckinley
abolished the custom of hand shaking on
the part of the first lady of the land.
and her successors have followed her eN-
ample so far as the public is concerned.
She received seated at her second New
Year reception.
The public's first glimpse of the White
House after President Roosevelt had il
remodeled, at cost of more than a third
of million dollars, was New Year day,
1893 There were now two doors to the
building-a new one at the end of the
eastern extension. wherein was "A row of
hat and cloak boXes-replacing those OF a
temporary character which had formerly
disfigured the main corridors. No longer
did guests have to make their exit
through a window, as throughout the pre-
vious generation.
President Taft, i'm holding his republics n
court tomorrow, will neither hedge HIM
self about with the stiff ceremony which
surrounded Washington nor Vet allow his
guests the freedom which jefferson and
Jackson permitted. But he WILL as hith-
erto be strict observer OF social eti-
quette and the established order of prece-
dence which. as even the most extreme
agree makes for order and the pleasure
of all guests, civilian or official.
Copyright, 1911, by John Elfreth watknsD
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31

have been showed with tine rest of my
fellows into "A barge, and carried to the
little archipelago. consisting OF three bits
Of land surrounded by water called Ellis
Island. The islands are covered with
buildings which seem to float on the har-
lor They are Joined by bridges. and
our barge floats right up TO the doors.
In the meantime the two thousand of
us have been sorted and herded in
groups This was done on the steamer
and each was given a card showing his
group and his number. l am No. q,
Group e. This is printed on white
card which is pinned to my breast, the
officers having cautioned me TO keep it in
sight. i have also had to sign long
paper of answers to all sorts of queS-
tons 1 have gwen my full name and my
age, have stated whether I was a man on
a woman was married or single and
whether 1 could read or write l had to
give my nationality. race and last resi-
dence. I had to state where l was 60
ing, and whether my passage was paid
by myself or any other person, corpora
ton, society, municipality or government
L had to tell what money had or
whether It was as much as so; and IL
/ was going to join friends oil this SIDE.
gave answers to the questions whether ]
had been In prison, or the poor house, or
in an insane asylum. and also whether
1 was mentally or physically deficient. de-
formed or crippled, and II yes, for how
long and what made me So This paper
and my signature / was fstted to meet
with later on.
/ had also passed the quarantine doc
tors at Sandy Hook, where they looked
me over to see If I had any contagious
diseases and had failed to find upon me
any sign of cholera, smallpox, yellow
fever or plague. After all this had ex-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31

cent of the Irish could not read and
write, and the same was true Of the
Firms. while the illiteracy among the
Swedes and Norwegians ran low as
one in a hundred.
The people we are bringing in now are
almost barbarians i'm comparison with
those we had a generation ago. and
the question is how Uncle Sam is to take
care Of them and still maintain the high
standard of American character.
/ cannot see how he is to maintain even
the standard of American physique. Unit
ing these pygmeS from southeastern Eu-
rope with our tall broad-shouldered men
of the south and the prairies is like try
ing to improve the Percheron horse and
the thoroughbred by the Importation of
shetland ponies. The only difference is
that the Shetlands are more hardy and
sturdy in comparison than many Of the
immigra ants we are now bringing in.
We talk of the yellow peril. and shud-
der as we think Of Chinese and Japanese
immigration. l believe one of our great
est perils today is from European immi-
grafton, and also in the exploitation OF
our country by a lot of steamship COM
panies whose stock is owned in Europe.
and whose only aim is to keep up their
dividends. In the past the bulk OF the
immigrants went to the west and their
citizenship began on the farms. The pure.
fresh air of America and the smell Oh oId
Mother Earth, part Of whom was owned
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31

building across the park. will have Joined
the vast group of guests; first the Off
Gals and certain societies, who Will be
arranged in line according to the strict
order of precedence. and finally the vast
washed and unwashed "public"-the tail
wagging the dog. Across the neighbor-
ing public buildings, up the macadamized
driveway of the presidential abode,
through the corridor. to the right, through
the state dining room and the red room
the great queue winds. You now find
yourself at the door of the blue room.
where the master of ceremonies, gold
braided and sworded, asks your name
You give it, he repeats it, and the Presi-
dent Of the United States, whom you
have waited three hours In line to see
repeats 1t after him, at the same time
grasping your hand in his mighty palm
and pulling you onward. With a hasty
Mr.. President''-that and no more if
You know your book-you bow to the first
lady of the land and make your escape
through the green room and into the
east room, where you may now pause to
recover your breath.
1t is all very like the way Washington
fixed it, as an example for posterity, al
though none of his successors have placed
so high a value as did that colIrtIy GEN
tleman on forms, ceremonies uniforms
costumes and state display nor have
many, if any of them. shared the criti-
cism thrust at him, at his public levees.
that his bows were more distant and
sun IMAM any seen at st. James," and
that he displayed an ''aristocratic and
royal demeanor"
Upon his first New Year day as Presi-
dent. that punctilious stickler for etiquette
VINO reared his infant country according
TO good manners, observed the old chs
tom. brought to New York by the Dutch.
OF throwing his doors open to his neigh
bors- The civilians-the principal gentle
men or the city-called during the day,
out omciaidom not till night, when he
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31
Scotch.

NDREW CARNEGIE, on the occasion
"A of his seventy-fourth birthday. told
a group of New York reporters a Scotch
story. The story, which arose out Of
an inquiry about Mr.. Carnegie's health.
ran thus:
"a Scottish recruit stood on guard
before a coIonefs tent, when the colonel,
putting out his head, said sternIy to
the new soldier:
WHO are you!
..The recruit grinned and answered.:
Fine. Hoo's yersefr"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31
Out of Date.

q FJNATOR La TOILETTE was talking
- about a politician who had made a
very remarkable volte-face in his politics.
Consistency" said Senator La Fol-
Iette smiling, lis a Jewell jewel like
the moss agate or the carnelian or the
carb,lncle you know-an old-fashioned
Jewel that nobody wears any more"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31
Concerning
Weu-KnOWn PEOPLE.
Nursery Flying Lessons.

MFRS. WILLIAM TOD HELMTTH, at
1VA one OF the functions Of lie Fedora
ton of Women's Clubs in New York, said
with a smile:
$50 Mrs. Maurice Hewlett, a skilled
aviator herself, has taught her son TO
fly.
'''In my youth il was enough for
mother to teach her children TO walk. but
soon, a matter of course, the mother
will teach them to fly as well"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31

and his good consort stood side by. side in
their New York mansion receiving the
foreign ministers and horne omclals.
There was room for them to seat them-
selves while partaking of tea. coffee, plain
and plum cake and when the hall CLOCK
struck nine they received from Mistress
Martha Washington the gentle mint: Inc
general always retires at nine. ana usu-
ally precede him.. at Wnlcn all arose
made their parting salutations and with
drew
These guests had been admitted accord
ing to the strict order OF precedence es
tablished by the general after ne had
consulted the precocious Hamilton ana
had disregarded the advice of the latter
enemy, Mr. Thomas Jefferson, Secretary
of State, whom the father OF MS country
suspected of being too heartily In SymPa-
thy with the extreme views OF the french
revolutionists.
This same code of etiquette prescribed
the places OF guests attending Jonn
Adams New Year Ievees in Philadelphia
and Washington.
II was received with a hearty shake OF
the hand and asked to partake of punch
and cake. which / declined" wrote Sena-
Tor. MacIay of one OF Adams New ear
receptions, in Philadelphia. and the
diplomatic gentry and foreigners coming
in | embraced the first vacancy to make
nv bow and wish him good morning.
The first levee held at the White House,
January !, 1901, found that abode un-
finished. so the guests had to climb the
stairs to the ovalroom-now the library
where the elder Adamses held their court
between walls fecked with gold stars
After greeting the chief magistrate each
guest was served with cake and wine ny
Ifveried negro servants, who handed the
delicate repast' around on small walt
ers.
The following New Year day Thomas
Jefferson was to set the whole world an
example of how a republican court should
be held. when brought together In So
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31
Great at 1t.

fkx1OIrD hardly believe it TO look at
them,'' said Upton Sinclair at
holiday banquet in Wilmington. but our
American lniliionaires are the greatest
swearers OH earth"
is that SOP said a vegetarian SuffraG-
ist. What do they swear off
Taxes" said Mr.. Sinclair.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31

below decks in room with hundreds of
others. l eat my meals out of tin pots
and pans. and 1 have a luxurious loafing
place. between rains, on the bare floor
where seasick men. women and children.
my passengers, lie sprawling
around.
After fifteen days Of fairly good sail
ing l have passed out of the Mediter
ranean. have crossed the Atlantic. and
have steamed by the great Statue of Lib
erty to the docks of New York. There the
cabin passengers have been landed. and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31
On Public Speakers.

A RNOLD BENNETT. the English nov
"A elist, condemned at a dinner in New
York the average public speech.
But unconsciously," said Mr.. Bennett,
1.-The former chairman of a village caucus
condemned the public speech much more
effectively than / could ever do when he
arose in a somewhat disorderly meeting
and remarked:
Listen, gentlemen, listen L am not
going to make a speech. I've got some
thing to say" .s---
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31

country. I followed some of them into
room which was like a great rail-
road depot. There was a bank at one
end for the changing Of money with
the rates of exchange, plainly pub
lished, over the cashiers window.
There were offices where one could
buy tickets. and places where the bag
gage could be checked direct upon
them. There were also lunch counters
selling bags of food for so cents or 81
and every other convenience to help
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31
A Good Turn.

- GORGE AIDE, with the gentle cynf-
~ cism OF the confirmed bachelor, was
talking i'm New York about New Year
resolutions.
Every wife" he said loves TO see
her husband turn over, for her sake.
a new leaf-in his check book.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31

to pass through the registry hall. Any
one suspected of disease is examined by
several doctors, and 1t takes the o. Is.
Of three of them to let him go through.
To show how important these restric-
tons are. more than $4,000 immigrants
were shut out of the United States last
year upon this ground, and of these al
most 5000 were paupers and likely to
become public charges. More than 1900
had loathsome or contagious diseases, $50
were criminals. more than 300 were pros
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31

HIS is the story of
an immigrant.
Not of a real ST.
m o Mp ure immi-
grant. but of my
self in immigrant
clothes.
| went to New
York with a letter
from Mr.. Nagel.
Secretary of Com
nerce and Labor,
to Mr.. Williams,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31

COME Queer Experiences
~ at Ellis Island-How I'm
migrants Are Examined
Passing the Inspectors
Thousands of Incapables Sent
Back to Europe-A Million
New Brothers and Sisters
and What 1t Means-Where
Our Immigrants Come From
and Where They Go-Our
Greatest American Peril.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31
BY JOHN ELFRETH WATKINS.

10TH the father
of his country:
wv n a [ e V er
changes take place.
never forget the
cordial and cheer
full observance of
New Years day"
And this. holiday.
which the immOr-
tai George thus ap-
pears to have es-
teemed above all
the date for one of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31
PICTURESQUE CoYN DRESS
The CREEK. CHARGE DAfEARfS
Mr.. CAF TANZOGLU
g ekiNE piASr.

ottar of roses was deliciously inhaled,
and the next the smell of garlic and odor
Of birthstone assailed the olfactories.
At one of the New Year receptions OF
.Old Hickory the crowd became en-
gagged in a squabble over the viands.
several combatants Selling hams from
the refreshment table and bringing them
down upon the heads of their opponents
with laughable precision. Anc this bat
tie waxed hot until the negro WATERS
carried the punch bowls out onto the
lawn, whittier hurried the raDble, thus
relieving the tension indoors. The BRUSH
minister Sir Charles Vaughan, driving
up to pay his respects, viewed the dls-
order and cried roughly to his coach
man: Drive home; this is too demo-
cratic for mel
But the sacred privilege of the entree"
appears to have been regained by the
diplomats by this time. Court dress was
as much in evidence at those early leVeeS
as those of present time. Thus. at one
Of Tyler's New Year receptions. the Mex
lean minister appeared in a PROPULSION
of gold embroidery" the French minister
in a uniform of blue and gold, the Span
ish minister in costume or lsnt piue
and silver, the Austrian and swedish
ministers in white uniforms. and the
Russian envoy, Baron Bodisco, was re-
splendent in his ''silver coat
las there is but one front door, the
ladies were handed out of the windows
in departing" wrote q chronlcler or one
of Tyler's New Year levees. Polk. at one
of his, was described as appearing in a
..seedv suit of solemn black The dip.
lomats during his regime still arrived IN
four-horse coaches.
"A gauntlet of policemen from the
outer door to the Presidents apartment
was New Year novelty which brought
Buchanan much harsh criticism from his
guests. Indeed. this safeguard was des-
cribed as "repulsive to hundreds, who re-
fused to enter the building and turned
away But despite this policy one
visitor complained of having his pocket
picked while greeting his hostess-all OF
which tribulation was accompanied by
the Star Spangled Banner played by a
feeble band in an invisible chamber.
A memorable New Year levee was that
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31

This ticket only was given me be-
cause I intended to stay in New York.
Many of the other immigrants who
were passed through had in addition
tickets marked "R," and later on they
were badged with the names of the
railroads by which they were to go
to the west or to other parts OF the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31

Of 1853, during which Lincoln, after hav-
ing shaken hands with hundreds OF
guests, gave an audience at noon to
Seward. who brought the fateful Enamel
patton proclamation, for its signature
Il have been shaking hands since
o'clock this morning, and my right hand
is almost paralyZed, said Lincoln, twice
taking up his pen. in futile effort to affix
his signature. IF my name ever goes
into history IL will be for this act, and
my whole soul is in ii. II my hand
trembles when I sign all who examine
the document hereafter will say. He
hesitated' - Then, summoning his
strength, he wrote, rather TREMENDOUSLY,
the autograph which completely altered
the fates of millions of citizens.
Grant was criticised for canceling his
New Year levee, 1871, on account of the
death. within the week. of Mrs. Belknap.
first wife of his Secretary Of War. Some
of his opponents contended that only
death in the Presidents own immediate
family should deprive the people of their
one court day of all the year. Exactly
five years later the most radiant figure at
Grants New Year levee was Belknap's
second wife, which ill-starred lady was
described as wearing lone of Worth's
wonderful suits, which attract attention
and battle description Grants levees
were also distinguished for lack of Ii
guild refreshments. which up to this time
had been freely dispensed on such occa-
sions. Even policemen and attendants
about the mansion had previously been
supplied with liquor on New Year day.
but in 1873 they were astonished to re-
ceive only coffee with their refreshments.
Full dress was worn by men at these
midday New Year functions until Presi-
dent Arthur broke the custom by presid-
ing at mis- New Year reception in conven-
tional Cay clothes. supplemented by pearl
colored gloves and a boutonner. His
levee OF January /. 1sS3 was brought to
sudden close by the death of the Ha-
waian minister, Mr.. Allen, who dropped
with heart failure in an anterOom where
he had gone to receive his hat and coat.
Gen. Arthur. after viewing the body. re-
tired to the upper floor and ordered the
band to cease playing.
Jealousies over receiving line privileges
arose at Arthurs 1883 New Year levee.
of receiving with him in the blue room.
and 1t was not long before they were at
loggerheadS over the question as to who
should stand next to him. in the place of
the first lady of the land There being
no Vice President, 1t was ruled that Mrs
then in line of succession TO the presi-
dency--should have the honor place.
But the long receiving line of ladies was
dispensed with by Cleveland who follow
ing the early death of the Vice President,
gave the honor place at his first New
Year levee to Mrs. Bayard, wife of his
Secretary of State. which official under
the new law, was the next in line Of sue
cession to the presidency.
II
The first public appearance Of the Presi-
dents bride was on the following New
Year day, that Of 1887. when thousands
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31
COuRTDRE IS
Or ALI KULl KHAN,
FRSIAN
CHARGE D .ArEARES

they be received before all other officials:
The author of the Monroe doctrine"
after holding a special cabinet meeting
to debate the subject. agreed to receive
the aggrieved diplomats "a half hour be-
fore the general company" But this
privilege they had lost by John Quincy
Adams time, when it was written of
New Year reception that they called
after noon, that "they take no precedence
and, in fact. there is nothing in the
whole proceeding to shock the delicacy Of
a republican" The younger Adams, aft
er the manner of the British court, called
these levees his New Year drawing
rooms"
But they We're not SO termed during
the regime of his unceremonious success
sor, Andrew Jackson, whose New Year
levees were thus described by a chron-
icIer of the time:
AT one moment one was knocked
against the wall by a sturdy backdriver
and his fat spouse. and at the next press
ed by lovely creature under the pro-
lection Of q foreign minister; at one mo-
ment the scent Of eau de cologne and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31
CL.lNEDINST.@S

ciety all are perfectly equal whether
foreign or domestic, titled or untitled,
in out of Office" he proclaimed. 1t
was arranged that all alike were to be
subject to the rule of first come. first
served. or, as he put it. Each taking
place as they arrive and without any pre-
cedence' And as a result, his critics
say, 1.-THE mob spirit prevailed at his
confusion that many women remained
away, in fear Of having their clothes torn
off their backs. So Madison. who came
next, was prompt in restoring the old
tanned under Presidents of both parties.
But the general public, which appears to
have been little in evidence, until Jeffer-
sons time, continued to be welcomed. by
Jenny Madison and the charming
Dolly
Such a crowd / never was in wrote
lady of New Year levee at the Madf-
sons. lit took us ten minutes to push
and shove ourselves through the dining
room; at the upper part of it stood the
President and his lady. In every room
was a table with wine. punch and cakes.
Dolly Madison reigned over her court
that New Year day in CONNECTION OF
yellow satin, Embroidered all over with
sprigs of butterflies not two alike in the
ments caused the rouge and rice powder
on some faces around her to CONCEAL in a
manner .'unlovely to soul and eye At
a later New Year levee her majesty
appearance was truly regal as she stood
before her guests in charming creation
of pink satin and ermine. crowned with
a plumed turban OF white velvet and white
satin. across the front of which, In true
oriental fashion. cleaned a crescent
of jewels Gold chains clasping her waist
and wrists added to her barbaric Splendor.
but Madison himself "being so lows OF
stature, he in imminent danger or
being COMPOUNDED with the plebeian crowd.
and was pushed and jostled about like
common citizen.
A coach of FURNISHED gold filled with
diamonds. and gltter1ng orders and gilt to
the edge of the wheels brought to fair
Mistress Dollys gay court, that mem
orable day. the French minister, Nj.
Serurier and his suite. weighed down
with gold lace And upon the box or
this lavish coach of state rode gorgeous
footmen with chapaaux bras, gilt-braided
skirts and splendid swords.
At Monroes New Year 1evee, in 1878.
the crowd gaped at the new splendors of
a White House remodeled after it's burning
by the British. \ precedence war was de-
clared in anticipation of this reception
the foreign ministers demanding that
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31

pected to go right through Ellis Island
and to at once land on the golden streets
of New York.
How mistaken I was.
| was just at the beginning instead Of
at the end of the process of breaking
through Uncle Sans doors. The thirty
of group f. most of us carrying our
baggage. were taken across the dock into