Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-09-24
At the White House T6kday.

EXECUTIVE BUSINESS GOING ON-THE PREsJ-
DENTS MAI-THE FIRST APP OINTMENTs MADE
BY PRESIDENT ARTHUR-PACKING UP MRS.
GARFIELD's PRIVATE EFFECTS.
ALI the clerical force at the White House was
on duty to-day as usual. Mr.. Brown, President
Garf1eld's secretary. only was absent He went
west with the Presidents remains. and will not
return until next Wednesday The request of
President Arthur that Mr.. Brown continue his
1ates as private secretary is only temporary.
Mr.. }. e. Reed, who has long been President
Arthur's private secretary, will succeed Mr..
Brown. The latter. it is thought. will continue
on duty as member of the official household.
President Arthur has directed that the work of
the Executive office go on as usual at the White
there and acted upon as before the death
OF President Garfield. The mail TODAY was
very large, but contained no applica-
ton for office. They have not commenced to
come in yet. Mr.. Pruden is in charge of the
office. 1t is a matter of interesting official
record that the first official act of President
Arthur was repetition of the last official of
his predecessor. Just before he was removed to
Long Branch the late President designated
Rear Admiral Nichols as acting secretary of the
navy. To re-delegate that power, as secretary,
to Admiral Nichols, was the first official act of
President Arthur. Next followed the two pro-
Carnations. published in THE STAR yesterday
and the day before. To-day the President made
several appointments. the first to which he has
attached his signature except the designation of
Admiral Nichols as Acting Secretary of the Navy.
1t was necessary for him that the appointments
be made. They were those Of postmasters, and
were as follows: w. E. Spencer, at Globe Ari-
ZOna; f. T. Slingsby, CasseltOn, Dakota J. w.
Maddux, Carlyle ILL.,; A. G. Leigh, Girard. ILL.,.
Willis Lindsey, Perry. Iowa; Hall Anderson,
Lancaster, KY; A. F. Coon. Butler Neb.; and
VIM. Stine. Walla-Walla. Washington Territory.
great deal of mail. principally letters of con-
dolence. was received at the White House to-day,
directed to Mrs. Garfield. 1t will be sent to her
out west. The house is very quiet. But very
few people went under the draped entrance
door. Mr. j. G. Reed came over from Senator
Jones on Capitol Hill. to give some directions
ito minor matters. The President has not indi-
catG,i when he will want the White House for
his occupancy. II he goes in at all It will not be
for some time. The house will have to be cleaned
and new carpets and furniture put in it. The
carpets and furniture of the house are old and
worn out or moth eaten. In the public part they
are but very little better. When the President died
the carpets, which had been taken up after he
left. were hastily put down without being
tackled to the floor, and other incomplete and
quick arrangements were made to receive the
late Presidents family. should they decide to
occupy the house during their stay. The direc-
tions for cleaning the house and getting it in
order have not yet been given. Ali Of the late
Presidents papers have been sent to Mentor.
together with his library. The private property
Of the family has not all been sent away vet.
Some OF 1t has been shipped, but good deal.
consisting OF pictures and similar articles viii
require time and care In their packing.