North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-02-28
Crave Charge.

SA@A5C
In the Congressional proceedings OF
Thursday last, the following amazing state
mcnt is recorded as emanating from "the
gentleman from Lancaster
The Clerk having read the clause appro'
priating forty-six thousand dollars to ena-
BILE the commissioner OF Public Buildings
to properly furnish and repair the Prcsi-
dents House, when
Mr.. Stevens explained that heretofore,
before the incoming of the Admins
tration, certain sum was appropriated tor
similar purpose. An item was inserted
in the miscellaneous bill which al knew
failed to become law owing to an amend
ment made to the bill on the motion of
Mr.. Davis, of Maryland During the pc
riod between Mr.. Lincoln's death and the
leaving of the White House by Mrs. Lin
coin, who was detained there by sickness,
the building was left prey to corners, and
when President johnson took Possession
there yas scarcely anythiny left. Spoons,
linen, bedding, and other articles aCere taken
sway, the house having been open to. every
body The Steward was responsible, but
had failed in his duty. The Presidents
family had tried to get along with great
economy
This statement of Thad. Stevens, chimes
we'll with the statement made before GER
tain committee, by the man who made sew
eral large deal boxes for Mrs. Lincoln, pri
or to her leaving the white house.
These statements explain, oo,vhy Presi
dent johnson preferred quarters at hote
or private boarding. house, rather than
move his family into house rendered un-
comfortable by the removal of spoons, lin
en-, bedding and other articles, belonging tC
the government.
The New York Commercial, in speaking
of the spoons, says, "when the bill for re
furnishing the White House was under
discussion, Mr.. Stevens explained thai
through the negligence of Mr.. Lincoln:
steward, the establishment was plundered
All of the valuable furniture was missing
and when President Johnson's family NOV
cd in it was necessary to purchase beds
linen, spoons. &c "Are the missing spoon
those that Mr.. Ogle talked about!" asked
Mr.. N,bIach, and Mr.. Stevens replied;
"Yes, they are the same. They were
the gold spoons which was purchased,
think, by Mr.. Van Buren, at great ex-
pense, and | may say that ont of large
number of spoons. forks and knives, which
were very valuable, but one or two would
be left out of two dozen, and all that hat
been done has been to furnish samples t
the persons in New York who furnish these
things, and they are to be replaced, not tt
the extent that Mr. Van Buren had but a.
nearly as the present humble and economi
cal President deems necessary. can SAY
to the commlttee that nothing more is ask
ed by the President and his family than il
absolutely necessary to make the house
decent
''They left sample or two, o,becausc they
did not want to make them get an entirey
different set. | have understood that som.
of those. things are-well it is no matter
where they are
The correspondent of the Commercial
calls this whitewashing, and adds to the
above.
at is well known hereabouts where al
the missing articles went Some were SEN
from the city, and the others were sold t.
persons who have Re cei pts, bearing the au
tograph signature of the responsible per
sons-nor is that person the steward tc
whom Mr.. Stevens alluded
The New York Express adds:
"Well,-name the c"lprlt, and do no
hesitate to give the name, even it shoult
turn out to be lady"