Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-06-04
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, June 3, 1SI

now slowly recovering, has been
attributed in part to the unhealthy
condition Of the White House, and
to the presence Of malaria in the
low, swampy section south Of the
grounds. 1t is not impossible that
these conditions may have had some
thing to do with the case. Thss
White House probably is not the
most healthy place for it's occupants
either in their minds or bodies. Ell
egant as it has been described to be
in all it's appointments, it is not a
very heightened residence for the
President Of so great country as
ours. 1t has so often undergone
changes and alterations that the
walls are full Of chinks and cram
MES where rats and other vermin
can hold high carnival, and the sew
erage is so defective that all sorts Of
gases and odors are at times encoun-
tered in some parts Of the house.
So it is fact that the exterior of
fine frescoing, carpeting and gild-
ing serves emily to cover unsound
and unseemly walls.
The White House has quite a
history and has cost a good deal
of money-more than the celebrated
Stewart Mansion in New York.
The total expenditures including re-
building, refurnishing, ETC., is about
100000, though the original cost
was but 1888 900. Its construction
was begun in 1892 and in 1900 it was
first occupied. In 1915 it was re-
built-after the British invasion,
war of 1S12-and its porticoes were
completed as late as 1929. The
East Room was finished only fifty
years ago. Every President except
Washington, has lived in it, and he
he's poked his horses head into it's
portal to look up at the workmen
plastering on scaffold. An Irish
architect named Heber, direct from
Dublin via Charleston, took the
award of $500 for the design,
and he built and rebuilt the
edifce. His remains lie buried in
Catholic cemetery here. The build
ing is 10 front by 69 deep, with one
room in it so by 40 feet. 1t does not
therefore, lack anything for size.
Even the vestibule within the front
door is so by 40 feet. This vestibule
to-day looks little shabby and its
floor covering is threadbare from
the constant tread of Office seekers
who come in droves to see the
President.
Twenty acres of garden and park
Immediately inclose the mansion,
and on either side, each separated
by only $50 feet, are buildings which
cost from seven to twelve millions
apiece. Yet, in all its apparent an
tiquity, how new The lawn is
still naked plain reaching off to
the Potomac, like a desert coming
to the palacestairs Like Versailles
in the time of Louis XIV, Wash
ington is a Government creation,
and the White House is hoary only
by events. The Presidents office in
the second story, is also the Cabinet
room, and is not very large apart
ment for the White House, although
about thirty-five or forty feet in
depth by, perhaps, thirty feet wide
and with high ceiling. A long
table is in the middle OF the Roor,
with leather seated chairs around it.
the two windows have long lambre-
quin curtains of dark blush. gray
color. A large map of the United
States is on the wall. The carpet is
of red tint with large figures. The
general effect of the room as one en-
tiers, is that of library without
books.
There is little news or stir in poll
tics outside of the senatorial COM
plication in New York, but in Gov
eminent circles there is good deal
of flutter and excitement. Reports
of numerous changes in the differ
ent Departments are in circulation
and there has come to be little doubt
that number OF heads will shortly
fall. Bureau officers and chiefs who
have had their days will be called
upon to make room for new blood.
DR.. Loring will take charge of the
Agricultural Department, July lst;
meanwhile lie Due is making hay
while the sun shines. He proposes
tn Snenu inst aS much of the ammo
priation for his Department before