Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, Jan. 2, 1902.
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT.
His First New Year Reception at Washington.
DIPLOMATIC CORPS ALL PRESENT.
The President's Manner of Receiving Callers, Gracious and Happy—Greeted General Miles Heartily—Admiral Dewey Present—Largest Reception Ever Held.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2.—President Roosevelt held his first New Year's reception at the White House yesterday. Surrounded by the presidential and cabinet circle, he greeted officials in every branch of public life, as well as a great concourse of people from private life. The scene within the historic mansion was one of extraordinary beauty and brilliancy, and there was an added touch of interest in the occasion this year from the fact that this was the first official function of magnitude with Mr. Roosevelt and his interesting family as the central figures.
The day was ideal for the observance of the time-honored custom of making New Year's calls. The interior of the mansion was aglow with a myriad of electric lights, and to this was added the beauty of a profusion of flowers, plants and vines, banked about the mantels and draped from chandeliers and walls. The floral decorations reached their height of effectiveness in the East Room. Here the great crystal chandeliers were looped with smilax, while the recesses of the chamber were banked with poinsettia blossoms, begonias and tall ferns. In the red and blue parlors there was the same effective disposition of flowers and plants, the flaming red of the poinsettia being most apparent everywhere.
In the outer corridor, just within the entrance, the band of the engineer corps, U. S. A., sixty strong in their brilliant uniforms, were ranged in tiers, while further along in the conservatory was the full membership of the Marine band, in bright red uniforms. While the musicians were taking their places the Roosevelt children were having a merry time through the corridors and one of them could be heard playing the "Kangaroo March" in the private apartments of the presidential family.
Shortly before 11 o'clock the throngs of distinguished callers began to assemble in the main corridor. First came the members of the diplomatic corps in their rich court uniforms, resplendent in medals and decorations.
Exactly at 11 o'clock a fanfare from three trumpeters, stationed at the further end of the main corridor, announced the approach of the president and the receiving party. At the same moment President and Mrs. Roosevelt appeared at the upper landing of the corridor and arm-in-arm descended the stairway while the Marine band broke into "Hail to the Chief."
The president bowed as he passed along, frequently giving a cheery response to the New Year's greetings extended to him from those in the line. Mrs. Roosevelt held in her hand a superb bouquet of rich orchids. She wore a gown of white satin, heavily pleated, with lace yoke and diamond ornaments, and in her hair sparkled a diamond tiara. The president was in the conventional black frock coat. He had no boutonnière and the gray striped neck scarf was the only bit of color in his attire. Following the president and wife came the members of the cabinet and their wives, the Secretary of State and Mrs. Hay, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of War and Mrs. Root, the Secretary of the Navy and Mrs. Long, the Postmaster General and Mrs. Smith, the Attorney General and Mrs. Knox, the Secretary of the Interior and Mrs. Hitchcock, the Secretary of Agriculture and Miss Wilson, and Secretary and Mrs. Cortelyou. The presidential party took up their station in the blue parlor with the President and Mrs. Roosevelt immediately alongside the entrance, ready to grasp the hands of callers as they were announced. The cabinet ladies formed a long line extending from Mrs. Roosevelt to the further side of the room, while back of the receiving line were grouped the members of the cabinet and a gay party of young people. As soon as the president took his position he turned to the many ladies invited behind the line and gave each of them in turn a warm greeting and the well wishes of the day. Then the signal was given for admitting the distinguished official callers who by this time filled the outer corridors to overflowing.
President Roosevelt's manner of receiving his callers was especially gracious and happy. As each guest was announced by Colonel Bingham, the president grasped the hand of the visitor and wished him a hearty new year, often accompanying this with same felicitous expression to anyone recognized as a close friend. There was no hurrying along of the callers, and often there was considerable delay while pleasantries were exchanged. Mrs. Roosevelt proved to be a most charming New Year's host and the cordiality of her greetings reminded many of the callers of the days when Mrs. Cleveland was mistress of the White House.
The President greeted General Miles with the same hearty courtesy he had shown to others, and General Miles returned the salutation in the same spirit and then passed, smiling, along the line exchanging well wishes with the ladies.
Admiral Dewey was another of the distinguished callers to engage the attention of the crowds. He was at the head of the long line of naval officers, all in full uniform and including the ranking rear admirals and heads of the naval staff departments. The admiral wore the superb sword voted to him by congress for the victory of Manila, and on his breast was the congressional medal commemorating the event. He, too, was most cordially welcomed by the president. The officers of marine corps with Brigadier General Heywood at their head, followed the navy. After them came officials of many official branches.
At 12:30 the reception to the public began, and great crowds accepted this first opportunity to grasp the hand of the president.
At that hour the crowd at the outer gate stretched away in both directions for several blocks.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
Married a Spirit.
It would seem to be rather scant consolation to marry a spirit, but then that might perhaps depend on what sort of a fellow the spirit was in his lifetime. Perhaps the spiritual companionship might be better than the personal association. At any rate that is exactly what Mrs. Sarah Williams, a buxom widow of 45 years and a resident of Detroit, Mich., did on Tuesday night. The groom was Theodore Comstock, once a successful Michigan miller, but who has been dead a number of years. The ceremony was performed by Mollie Ladell, a noted Spiritualistic medium in the presence of a numerous following of the cult. The courtship is said to have extended over a number of months under the tutelage of Medium Ladell. The ceremony commenced by the singing of "Nearer My God, to Thee." The medium then went into a trance and invoked the spirit of the dead miller. The customary questions were asked the bride and groom, and answered in the customary manner after which the medium pronounced them man and wife. Numerous spirits came to offer their congratulations. After the ceremony the bride took her spirit husband home to a house she had prepared for him. She says she is well satisfied with the match. But that conclusion would almost appear to be a reflection upon the former husband and the life they led together, and the intimation would be that spiritual presence is better than personal companionship. However, every one to his taste.
But there is another feature to this spirit marriage that would seem worthy of consideration. This bride was a widow. Her first husband was no doubt somewhere in the spirit land. If it is possible for a person on earth to be connected by marriage with one who is a spirit, why doesn't the first marriage still hold? Was she a widow in fact? Isn't there every probability that this first spirit husband will appear before some spirit court and prefer a complaint against the wife for bigamy or will claim damages against spirit husband No. 2 for alienating the affections of the wife? Or may it not be that Medium Ladell will again be summoned to act as a go-between and that these actions will be brought in a court on earth? The more this spirit marriage is considered the more mysterious it becomes.
But there is one more question that must appeal to everyone—who paid the officiating medium for performing the marriage; was it the wife or the spirit husband? If so, what is the coin of that land, gold or free silver?
COMPTROLLER MILLER IN CHARGE.
Will Make Several Changes in Department at a Later Time.
ALBANY, Jan. 1, (Special.)—Hon. Nathan L. Miller, the new state comptroller, is now in full charge of his department.
Mr. Miller reached Albany early yesterday morning, and temporarily made his home at the Hotel Ten Eyck, Albany's most aristocratic hostelry. As yet he has not determined where he will establish himself while in Albany. Probably for the present he will so arrange his public affairs as to permit himself to return to his home each week over Sunday. Later on he will bring his family to Albany.
Just before noon yesterday Mr. Miller, accompanied by Private Secretary Lewis of the comptroller's department visited the capitol. After Mr. Miller had paid his respects to Governor Odell and enjoyed a short chat with him, he repaired to the office of the secretary of state where Judge McDonough duly administered the oath of office. Thereupon the new state comptroller returned to the State House, where his department quarters are situated and was presented to the chiefs of the several bureaus making up the department. Several score of clerks are connected with the comptroller's office, which is viewed as one of the most important under the state government.
It is understood that Mr. Miller proposes to retain as his chief assistant Deputy Comptroller Gilman of New York City, who was himself an aspirant for the comptrollership. Later on it is expected that several changes in the personnel of the department force will be made by Mr. Miller.
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| Fast mail train at Cincinnatus, N. Y., depot. |
RAILROAD REOPENED
After the Great Flood—Bridges Replaced—Roadbed Repaired.
The Erie & Central New York railway, which has been tied up ever since the flood on Sunday, Dec. 15, has been cleared throughout its entire length, and the first train since that date was run from Cortland to Cincinnatus this morning. From now on the trains will run on schedule time. The authorities of the road have shown determination and progress in clearing up the roadbed, replacing tracks and bridges and getting the whole matter straightened out as soon as it was.
Fire Alarm Wire All Up.
The new wire for the fire alarm system is now all strung. About 10 miles was used in the work. The box pipes will next be placed by the workmen. These pipes are three-fourths of an inch in diameter and are used to conduct the wires from the top of the high poles to the boxes. Over 700 feet of this piping will be used.
Letter Carriers Elect Officers.
Branch, No. 211, National association of Letter Carriers of Cortland has elected officers as follows:
President—George T. Lester.
Secretary and Treasurer—Dewitt Howard.
Collector of M. B. A.—P. F. Lyons.
BENSON-CLEARY.
Both Parties Formerly of Cortland, Now Residents of Rochester.
Miss Josephine Cleary of Rochester, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. F. Cleary of this city, was married at noon yesterday to Mr. Albert Benson of Rochester, formerly of Cortland. The ceremony was solemnized at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Rochester by Rev. Father Gleason in the presence of a few relatives and friends. Mr. and Mr. Benson, in company with Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Cleary of Rochester came to Cortland last night and are guests at the home of the bride's parents. Mr. Benson is a merchant tailor in Rochester, and the happy pair will return to that city soon to reside.
SAGER-SMITH.
A Quiet New Year's Wedding in the Town of Homer, N. Y.
A very pretty New Year's wedding occurred at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Abel B. Smith, Homer, when their daughter, Leila Edna, was united in marriage with Mr. Aaron Sager, son of the late Major Aaron Sager of Cortland. Mrs. D. J. Chadwick, sister of the groom played the wedding march for the bridal party to enter the parlor. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Dr. B. W. Hamilton, pastor of the Homer M. E. church, under a very tastily decorated arch of smilax. Her brother, Mr. W. A. Smith of Syracuse, gave the bride away, The bride was attired in her traveling suit of Oxford gray.
At the close of the ceremony and after many congratulations had been offered the wedding supper was served. Mr. and Mrs. Sager left on the evening train for Syracuse and intermediate points amidst a shower of rice. After Jan. 19 they will be at home to receive their many friends at Homer.
The young couple received many valuable and useful gifts, including a very rare necklace of pearls given by the groom and a fine bedroom suite presented by bride's parents; also a sideboard, the gift of the groom's family.
Among the out of town guests were Mr. W. A. Smith, Mrs. J. Murdock, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Sager, Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Chadwick and daughter, Mrs. N. C. Hubbel of Syracuse, Miss Cora A. Sager of New York City, Mrs. A. Sager, Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Perry, Mr. R. Sager, Mr. B. Sager, Mr. and Mrs. Byron Crane and son Lewis and daughter Hattie all of Cortland.
The wedding was a quiet one, owing to the recent death of the groom's father, Maj. Aaron Sager. Only the immediate relatives of the contracting parties were present.
BREVITIES.
—Mr. T. E. Dye yesterday moved his residence from Union-st. to his new home at 20 North Church-st.
—Messrs. W. W. Stanton and J. W. Keese will be ordained as deacons at the prayer meeting tonight at the Congregational church.
—The fare on all the railroads in the state of Michigan has become 2 cents a mile under a law recently passed which went into effect with the beginning of the New Year.
—The monthly business meeting of the executive committee of the First Baptist Sunday-school will be held Friday evening at 7:30 o'clock at the home of M. J. Peck, 18 North Church-st.
—New display advertisements today are—A. S. Burgess, Clothing sale, page 7; R. W. Mitchell, Meats, page 5; S. F. Smith, Meats, page 6; Opera House, Maude Hillman Co., page 5.
—An enthusiastic sleighload of young people, chaperoned by Prof. and Mrs. W. M. Booth drove to McLean last night and enjoyed the hospitalities of the Elm Tree House. The large sleigh and four-horse team added not a little to the pleasure of the trip.
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