Morning journal and courier., 1882-04-17
Life at the. White House.

tFrom the Washington Evening starl
 The White House under the present ad- ministration is truly a place of business. and is run on thorough business principles. President Arthur has set apart certain days of the week for special purposes, and all the employees know that nothing can be allowed to interfere with the regular work for each day. Que day in every week the President has reserved for himself. Few people realize the constant strain to which the President is subjected. It is absolutely necessary that he should have some relief from the pressure which is brought to bear upon him from morning until midnight. President Garfield gave himself day and night to the duties of his office, and the constraint on his nerves and strength told upon him very apparently even in the short time that he held the office. At first Saturday was the day chosen by President Arthur when he should seclude himself from the crowd of sight seers and business callers who daily besiege the White House, but as that day is the one when Senator's and Representatives are most at leisure to look after affairs which pecessitate call upon the Presi- dent (both houses of Congress usually ad- journing over that day), he decided upon Monday as C his 7" day, Tuesdays and Fri days have long been '' Cabinet days.'' Mem bers of Congress, however, are received on these days from 10 until 12 o'clock. The latter hour is the time for the regular Cabi- net meeting. Wednesdays Thursdays and Saturdays are what are known as business days when those who have business affairs to lay before the President, or who merely wish to see him and shake him by the hand, are received from II till 1 o'clock. The President generally breakfasts about 9:30 o'clock, lunches at ?, if the pressure of busi ness allows him, and dimes at 7:3O o'clock. About o'clock he goes out driving. During IL I~@ @1.oo 21r t,1r Der of callers, either personal friends or officials, with whom he has appointments. When the last caller has departed, the Presi- dent usually devotes several hours to matters which he has set aside to be considered at this time, or which have been crowded over during the press of the day. It is at this time that decision is reached on many matters of weight, including frequently important ap- pointments. The rules which have been laid down in the White House are not deviated from except in cases of special appointment In fact business is done somewhat as it was under the Jackson and Grant regimes. It will be remembered that President Garfield s private secretary, Mr. J. Stanley Brown, acted in the same capacity for President Arthur for time. Owing to the request of Mrs. Garfield that he should take charge of and arrange certain papers with view to their use in the biography of the late President he was obliged to sever connection with the White House. On the 1st of January Fred J. Phillips, personal friend of Presi- dent Arthur, succeeded Mir. Brown. Although President Arthur has @ much smaller force of assistants than his predecessors, the work at the executives mansion is dispatched with re- markable promptness and accuracy. This is owing more, perhaps, to the signal abilities of Mir. Phillips than to anything else. He IS Q thorough man of business. The President has implicit confidence in him, and relies on him a great deal, and con- sequently MT. Phillips succeeds in relieving him of much that would otherwise occupy his time and annoy him. The many callers whom he is obliged to see are dis posed of with rapidity and satisfaction. The hungry ofice-seeker is not lured by false hope, because of a disinclination to say mo- but he is told at once whether there is any chance for him or not. Vixen he is told no he understands it to mean no. Mir. Phillips time is more than occupied. He is rushed. He has no relief and no time for recreation. No matter how busy, he always has pleasant word for those that approach him. He is not only recognized as a thorough business man, but as a thorough gentleman. Mrs Crump is the steward of the White House. He came there with President Hayes, and rendered valuable assistance during the late Presidents illness. Mir. Crump and the new French cook make the Presidents dinner parties success
 
 Charles Loef1er, knows every person of any prominence. He never forgets a face. He is daily pressed by crowds of people desirous of audience, but he knows how to discrimi- nate, and his phlegmatic temperament keeps him level headed. He came with General Grant. Arthur Simmons has been the door keeper of the private secretary's office since 1866, and he is likely to remain there for 8 good many years. Edgar Beakley, door, keeper of the reception room, came with General Grant. There are several messen- gers connected with the office. The Presi- dents mounted messengers, James Sheridan and Thomas Dolan, are daily seen riding through the streets. Albert, the driver, and Jerry, the footman, must not be- forgotten. They were well known under General Grants administration, when they looked well behinda fine team They didn't seem to take much pride in President Hayes turnout. It is very doubtful if President Arthur, who has a turnout befitting president, will allow his driver to hold the reins in one hand and large umbrella Tn the other. There is one man about the White House authorized to make arrests, Sergeant Dinsmore. Two oth- policemen are,on duty at night. A police officer was first duty there in 1864. It will be remembered that then President Lin coln's assassination was. threatened. re- ward of S1OO, 900 was offered in Mississippi paper for his head An officer was detailed for duty then at the White House, and one has been kept there ever since Very little of Sergeant Dinsmores time is occupied with police duty, however. He and the ushers, Messrs Thomas F. Pendle, who came with Lincoln, and J. T. Riekard, have about as much as they can attend to in receiving call CTS and showing what can be seen and an" swering innumerable questions.