Show WHITE HOUSE RECEPTION thousands received by the dent and his wife gayest event in ington social life great men of the nation and representatives senta tives of fortion fort ign powers pay kneir respects to the chief executive washington tan 1 the social season in washington was ushered in today a brilliant new yet s reception at the white house at which the president and mckenley stanlly received ino congratulations and well wishes of eral thousand people including taic representatives of areigo governments justices statesmen ot the navy and army aal others eminent in the social and an d political life ot hie capital A review of the whole winter cal euthar up to date could hardly luve found a day better fitted for the new vear functions tha snow that lias grown a during the past week was covered ofer with a treah fall scarcely an inch alck the beard sweep or tho white drive had been quickly cleared ot aliis but tho lawns were covered white mantle tho facun was bright but the air was crisp and frosty at an early hour the streets beyond the white house grounds began to fall with the crowd that surged bak and forth eager for a place in the public line that was to follow the reception of tho various sections of the days pro gramme the of th executive mansion were not so elaborate eld borate as they have been on como former occasions ca the light of the brilliant winter day way excluded and tha rooms flooded with electric lights thousands of tiny bulba on the ceilings and chandeliers adding to the brilliancy 0 the decorations diio glittering gold and silver trappings with the memoir memo cr of the diplomatic corps and the full dreas uniforms of the army and nivy contrasted strongly with the t black coats of the statesmen and cl ilia n officers of tho government throughout the throng the president and mr mckenley received in the blue pular assisted by the members of the and their wives amsl behind the line eru aboia mv s n ni senators representatives army cind navy officers and others high in the social and official circle the marine band in their red uniforms were stationed at the head of ho corridor opposite tho state dinant loom and throughout the lec epHon played patriotic airs the new years reception approaches nearer to a court than any of the other functions of alie and ano official gramms pro with its order ot precedence is rigidly adhered to the president and mr mckinley met the members of the cabinet in the west corridor of the second floor beloro 11 ahila the members of tho diplomatic corps in their brilliant court dress were gathering in tho state dining room the red parlor promptly at 11 the bugler the assembly and the red coated marine band struck up the strains of hall to tho chief to this accompaniment tho procession headed by president and mrs mckenley moved down tho broad stairway in all persons attended the reception |