The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-12-02

hTter TJahosnsNin9 OFoesl - OniI
Twice In Century Has This An
nual Event Been Omitted.
President Wilson has shattered an-
other precedent, one OF more than a
hundred years standing. He has an
nounced that there will be no public
reception at the White House on New
Years day.
For many years it has been custom
ary for the president to stand In the
blue room from two to FIVE hours and
shake hands with all who came along.
The president will go away from
Washington for brief holiday vaca-
ton and will not be in the White
House on New Years day.
Only twice in the hundred years of
White House history has this. annual
custom been abandoned in time of
peace. The last time was during the
administration of President Mckinley,
when, owing to the death Of his mother
In December, there was no reception
on Jan. 1. Before that, in President
Cleveland's administration. the recep-
ton was called Off on New Years
morning because of the death of the
daughter of the secretary OF state,
Thomas F. Bayard.
Thousands of Hands to Shake.
The New Years reception was par
ticipated in by the entire diplomatic
corps, supreme court, both houses Of
congress, all the high officials Of the
national government and all army.
navy and marine officers in or near
Washington. 1t alsofwas the occasion
on which thousands of American citi-
zens from the private walks of life
stood In line for hours for the chance
of entering the White House and shak-
ing hands with the president.
There are many indications that the
reception will not be revived during
the present administration. For many
years officials at the White House have
protested mildly against the traditional
ceremony, which they felt involved GER
tain discomfort 10 the president and
his family, besides considerable respon-
sibility for the secret service men
controlling the enormous crowds.
Many presidents have suffered great
pain as a result of having their hands
wrung so often in one day. President
Roosevelt is said to have shaken the
hands of 5000 people one New Years
day, and even his powerful physique
felt the strain. Other presidents have
had to have their arms wrapped in
bandages and rubbed with ointment for
several days following the public re-
ception.
These are not the only reasons, how
ever, that are thought to influence
President Wilson in abandoning the re-
ception. Just before he took office he
let it be known that he was opposed
to the inaugural ball. Then recep-
tion was suggested, and he opposed
that 1t was said at the time that IL
the managers Of the Inauguration in
sisted on a ball he would attend. but
the members of his family would not
accompany him. 1t is believed that
the decision regarding the New Years
EeCeDllOu Is u lOSlCut SClutl VI Ills ~
titude toward the ball.
The secretary of state and Mrs Bry-
an will give the annual breakfast to
the diplomatic corps regardless of the
change of plan at the White House.
This attention from the secretary Of
state to the diplomats has come to be
only a little less important than the
| White House reception.
Feels Need of a Rest.
According to the announcement made
from the White House, President VIII
son feels the need Of complete rest.
which he can take more conveniently
at Christmas than at any other time.
He is contemplating short out OF
town trip and does not wish to be
obliged to return to Washington before
the reassembling of congress early in
the new year. The authoritative an
nouncement on the subject is as fol-
lows:
"The usual New Year reception OF
the president will not be held Jan. l.
1914. The departure from custom on
| OCCdSlOh " NhI thSh NhHs
the president will not be in Washing
ton at that time Owing TO the long
session of congress, the president has
had no vacation since his Inaugural
ton. AS the approaching session OF
congress will be the long session, the
only opportunity for the president tC
secure rest will be during the usua
holiday recess of congress"
1t is possible that President and Mrs
Wilson may pass New Years day IN
the canal zone, as the secretary of wal
has urged the president to make Pana
ma the objective point of his vacation
trip. The president and Mrs. Wilson
are, however, reported as not being
anxious to make the Panama trip a.
this time because they expect 70 at
tend the formal celebration in 1915.
Medicine to Supplant Knife.
Internal medicine will take prece