Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-09-11
A NEW PRESIDENTIAL MANSION.

r rom the New Orleans Picayune
We see 1t intimated that, at the next session
OF Congress, proposition will be made for the
erection OF fitting house for the residence of
the Presidents of the United States at the seat
OF national government. We hope that the eff
Tort Will be successful. The present mansion is
situated In one of the most unhealthy parts of
the District Of Columbia. The consequence has
been that no family can reside in it. for a long
period, without danger, and perhaps destruc.
ton to their health We think that we sbouId
not greatly err, were we to say that thi. incon-
venlence has been felt, in greater or less de-
gree, by every Incumbent Of the Presidential
ONCE, since the city of Washington became the
seat OF government. 1t has been a constant
topic Of complaint, and facts within the knovI-
edge ci all who have been in the habit of spend
ing much time at the national capitaI have
Abundantly substantiated it a. a weIl-grounded
complaint.
The gazetteers and guide books in describing
the public buildings Of Washington, unite in
representing the Presidents house as situated
On beautiful lawn, gently slOpipg towards
the Potomac, and elevated forty four feet above
II. But this description, though technically
correct, conveys an err0neOusidea inasmuch as
this beautiful lawn does not skirt the Potomac
at all In the first place, there Is public road
between Its boundary wall and tho border
OF 1lber Creek, which runs in from the river
ana Is great portion of the time low marshv
the year Is exhaled from its bosom ontinuously
and renders the White House untenantable by
persons who have any regard for their health.
In point OF fact, there is hardly another To-
eauon In the city OF Washington (which, as a
whole, cannot justly be said to be an unhealthy
place oil resldence,) which would not be better.
IN sanitary point Of view as the site of the
President mansion, than that now occupied as
such. And now that the Treasury is full and
can well enough afford the expense we hone
that the des!deratum of so many years will be
attained by the adoption by Congress of the
proposed measure A splendid addition TO the
capitol Is now In the course of completion and
there would be peculiar fitness in erecting a
hite House" that should be a fitting com
panion TO it at the same time.
In an economical view Of the matter. II NAV
be suggested that the present mansion house az
the PRESIDENT need not be abandoned by the
government. Ii is well known that some az
the public officers are not a little cramped FIR
room and that buildings, by no means ade-
1uate for their accommodation. and for the
convenient transaction Of business. have been
leased or purchased, as a matter Of absolute ne.
Gesslty, ior the lack Of more fitting ones The
"nite House, though unified by its location
ior family residence, would furnish excellent
accomm0daI tons for several Of the department
bureaus.
We cherish the hope that the time is not far
distant when-the Capitol extension being com
p'e'e1-there may rise, at the seat of the ma
uOnaI government, a residence for its chief
magistrate that may be proudly pointed at a.
III every way worthy Of the nation.