The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-06-30


NovATIoN.-We are glad to see that the Senate
few days since, agreed to the motion of Hon.
s. P. POLAND to direct the Committee on Public
Buildings and Grounds to inquire whether a
tract of land of not less than three hundred and
fifty acres, adjoining or very near Washington
city, can be obtained for a reasonable price,Sfor
park and site for Presidential Mansion, which
shall combine convenience OF access, healthful
ness, good water, and capability of adornment.
The need of some renovation in the condition
of the mansion allotted by the nation as re-
sidence for its Chief Magistrate, has been too
obvious to escape the attention of all who visit
the President. 1t has really grown to be
disgrace to our country, that the highest officer
in the land should be quartered in building
more resembling a barn than an official resi-
dence. What makes the circumstance still more
noticeable is, the United States Ht up this build
ing for their head. If the President furnished
private house himself, we might impuse any
deficiency to republican simplicity; but when
the land presents to its Chief Magistrate an
Official mansion for the reception OF guests, its
poverty can only be set down as misudged par
simony.
The White House might have been model of
architectural beauty in the latter days ofthe last
century, when it was built, but architecture has
advanced since then, and it to-day presents the
appearance OF a whitewashed stable with
series of wooden pillars, under which the cattle
can stand during rain-storm. The East Room,
gigantic in size, and worthy in every respect,
so far as proportions are concerned, to be the
reception-room of the Executive, boasts at
present ofno other furniture than faded car
pet fit for the study of boarding-school, and
ha1 oh ypif hut
canvas. The curtains are torn to tatters, and
the fine mirrors are the only ornaments to the
room. 1t must cause a sneer on the lips of a
foreign ambassador to enter such lyceum hall,
and there be presented to the President Off
nation which has incurred debt of three bill.
lions, and has an annual revenue of hun
dreds of millions.
Not only should there be a new Executive
mansion, on account of the pride which calls
for some fit home for the national head, but
business convenience demands its immediate
renovation. The antechamber of the present
White House consists OF a room not as large as
the business office of The EVENING TELEGRAPH,
and is furnished with no accommodations for
guests. Yet to this room daily resort the first
citizens of the republic, and Senators, Members,
and Governors OF States are compelled to stand
nOu1S IN JnlS Oauly Nen1aJed CnamOer, seated
on kitchen chairs, or trpped up, when walking,
by tattered carpet. The whole appearance of
the White House looks as though no improve
ments had been made for twenty years, and the
chairs in the East room resemble such as the
Kentuckians must have stood on and drank
claret punch at the tune of JACKsoN's first
inauguration.
The grounds around the White House have
but one redeeming quality, and that is the beauty
of their trees. They are the resort OF all who
desire to make "short cut" from the Treasury
10 the War or Navy Department, and of all
pedestrians. There is no such thing as privacy,
and the Presidents family are compelled to keep
housed or be interrupted by stragglers. 1t is
proposed to erect the new Executive mansion
about half mile from the present site, and to
change the White House into business office.
Such proposition is seasonable and feasible,
and should be at once put into operation True
it is that Mr. JOHNSON may not receive the full
benefit of the change, but his successor will be
thankful, and the nation saved the disgrace of
having such an Executive residence as the pre-
sent venerable barn-like structure.
GOVERNOR 0GLEsBY, of Illinois, has been in
vited to deliver the Grafton at the great Union
celebration in Nashville on the Fourth OF July.