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Show JANUARY FIRST IN WASHINGTON. Brilliant Reception at the White House President Cleveland . JLowers the Hands'iak- -. 'injf Record. Washington,.. January 1. For the first time in several years- New Tear's day dawned dear and beautiful. The hoar frost was soon dissipated by ib.9 rising sun, and long before noon the temperature was like that of a spring day. ' The occasion was observed ob-served here as in former years by general calling; business was suspended to a considerable con-siderable extent, and all executive departments depart-ments were closed. At the entrance to the White Hou3e grounds two. polioemen kept back the orowd of curious idlers, who gazed with interest at THE HANDSOME EQUIPAGES OF THE DIPLO-1 DIPLO-1 - STATIC COEPS, " '- High officials of the Government and other distinguished persons. Mounted policemen kept tho carriage . approach clear at and along tho line of the offices, formed on each side of the doorway to the Executive Man-eion. Man-eion. The full Marine band occupied the main vestibule and discoursed familiar airs during the progress of the ceremonies. . The decorations of the mansion were exceedingly simple, being confined to tasteful arrangements. arrange-ments. Graceful palms and rare tropieal plants were in profusion, bouquets of great size and of harmonious colors stood on the centre of the tables, and delicato garlands of srnilax entwined the crystal chandeliers. At 11 o'clock, to the accompaniment of "Hail to the Chief " by the Marine band, THE PBESEDESTIAL PABTY ENTEBED THE BE-CEPTION BE-CEPTION ROOMS . And took up their station in the Blue parlor, Mrs. Bayard leaned upon the arm of the President, Secretary Bayard escorted Miss Cleveland, and the remaining members of the Cabinet followed with their ladies, Sec-retarv Sec-retarv Lamar being the only absentee. Colonel Col-onel Wilson preceded them, and Lieutenant Duvall with Miss Bayard brought up the rear. The ladies stood in this order on the President's right: Miss Cleveland, Mrs. Bayard, Bay-ard, Mrs. Manning, Mrs. Whitney and Mrs. Vilas. Owing to a severe cold Mrs. Endicott was not present. Tho President and members mem-bers of his Cabinet wore Prinoe Albert coats. -; . .-WSS CLEVELAND Wore a court train of garnet velvet, with tabliere of white silk, wrought with beaded embroidery. The corsage was of white, cut square in front and heart-shaped at the back; garnet velvet formed a peasant waist in front. The sleeves were short and pearl-covered, pearl-covered, gant de suede reached IjSgh above the elbows. She carried a bouquet of white Mrs. Bayard wore a train of white satin, with richly embroidered white canton crepe draped shawl-shape over the skirt. She wore a bouquet de corsage of natural roses. Mrs. Manning wore a very faint shade of heliotrope satin embroidered in pearl, and crystal beads all over the front. It had a train, as did the dress of each lady in the re- CeMrsf:?hitney wore a white satin, richly embroidered in silver; a magnificent diamond dia-mond necklace and diamond comb completed her toilet. , . . , ... ... Mrs. Vilas wore a shrimp pink silk, with ornamental trimmings and embroideiy on rIlra. Lamont, wife of the President's private pri-vate seoretary, who was present with her husband, 'wore an elegant toilet of flame-colored flame-colored satin. -Of course, both - ABJIX AND NAVY OFFICERS WEBE IN FULL DBESS UNIFORM, And presented a very handsome appearance. Tne new officials from the various departments depart-ments were nearly all present. Civil Service Commissioners Edgerton, Trenholm and Eaton, and Commissioner of Education Eaton, and Prof. Baird, followed by Prof. Powell and all beads of the scieutiiio departments, de-partments, led in this procession. Then followed all heads of the bureaus in the Departments. De-partments. " Assistant Secretary Fairchild fed the Treasury officials. The Mexican Veterans' Association was well represented. Members numbering sixty filed in and paid their respects to the President. Following, them came the oldest inhabitants, numbering number-ing about fifty; their appearance was venerable vener-able and very impressive. fj. A. B. DELEGATIONS FOLLOWED. Pleasant weather served to bring out the largest New Year's representation for many years, members were in line according to their posts, and numbered about 1,000 in all. They were admitted through the west gates at the avenue, and before the line had fin' ished coming up the walk the front portion was going through the eastern gate, having passed through the White House. . -Many colored men, some of them maimed and crippled, were included in the ranks of thin organisation. - The gates were not opened to tha general public, until after the G. A, B, reception was completed, fhe crowd of waiting citizens was immense,. It extended from the eastern gate in .a solid mass far down the avenue, occupying the middle of the street. The time arrived for a general .reception, the gates were opened and the line passed through the whole house. Notwithstanding the inmense crowd, the best of order prevailed,, and everything assed off in a smooth manner.. Duringthe room we-ie darkened; and when dip omatic, Ky and navy' and other officials, entered the beautiful rooBi . . THE EFTCT WAS MOST BBILLIANTi The sun shone brightly through the southern windows, and the splendid landscape viewed fromWm added no little to the charming Sne. lf ia estimated that over 6 ,000 peo-S peo-S shook hands with the resident during tneTeceptioa. The President loured the re-ordlof handshaking considerably.. In 9 mtautel he Shook hands with .274 person, or iH ifc a minute. The higheet .number previously shaken by a resifknt Qaije Wfi daywaa by General Grant, when he grasped lit I handaof 28 persons a muKitefor 13 minutes.' t , x |