The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-04-18
MR.. CLEVELAND AT HOME.
The Daily Routine Which the Pres
ident Observes.
From the Washinaton Post.

From the Washington Post.
If any one thinks that the position of the
President of the United States is an easy and
pleasant one he ought to be at once nndeeeiv-
ed. The ordinary routine work of the Office
is immense and although his private secreta-
ry relieves him of a great deal of work, yet
quantity necessarily has to be borne by him
self Mr.. Cleveland s life at the White House
is one daily routine of hard work, lasting
from o'clock in the morning to midnight.
Rising at the former hour, he sometimes finds
an opportunity to do little work before his
breakfast at O. clock. An hour later he is
in the library, where he begins work by read
ing that part of the mail which Col. Lamont
has selected for him A heavy mail for the
President is the rule and not tine exception,
and about half the letters addressed to him
are marked Personal They are on all
sorts of subjects, many Of them being of
character which entities them to final rest
ing place in the eccentric file." Some of
these epistles are very curious, but they are
always held in as strict confidence as though
the writer had occasion to command respect.
Sixteen-page missives are not uncommon,
and some of the scribblers inclose their pho
tographs. In going over the great mass of
correspondence Col. Lamont knows at
glance those which Mr.. Cleveland wishes to
see, and these he lays aside for the President,
the remainder being distributed among the
clerks. As matter of fact but eight or ten
letters day come under the Presidents per-
sonal notice.
The mail disposed of, the President is ready
to receive callers on business. Instructions
have been given the doorkeepers not to per-
NIT indiscriminate visits, and when card is
presented it is taken up to the Presidents
private secretary, who consults with Mr.. Cleve-
land before the caller is admitted to the libra
nv. This continues until 1890 or l O'Clock,
when the President goes down to the East
Room and receives the general public The
latter custom proved so attractive to the pub
lie, and consequently encroaches so upon the
Presidents time, that, as stated in The Post,
he will discontinue it. When asked recently
if he did not get tired of this daily handshak
ing, he replied. mo, not physically, but
mentally; there is so much sameness in it.
A close observer will see that the President
has acquired the art of hand shaking. He
stands firmly on his feet and pulls every hand
towards him in peculiar way and lets it drop.
He does !iot allow any one to shake his body
in taking his hand; he does all the shaking
himself, with a quick motion of the wrist
which he has doubtless acquired by prac-
tice.
At the conclusion of the reception comes
luncheon, after which the President spends
little time with his sister and guests. He then
fulfills any engagements he may have made
in the morning and receives Senators and
Representatives This occupies him until
o'clock, when, if fine, he takes drive in
company with Col. Lamont. He generally
rides in the two-horse coupe, and is still using
ex- President Arthur's team. This week,
however, the colored driver will bring from
New York the pair of horses which Mr..
Cleveland has purchased for his own use.
His outdoor recreation generally lasts about
an hour and half, and his favorite drive is
to the Soldiers Home.
The dinner hour at the White House is
o'clock. The President is good liver and is
blessed with hearty appetite. He is not
fastidious, but leaves all the arrangements to
the good judgment of his steward, Howard
Williams, to whom he has not yet given a
single order as to his likes or dislikes in the
matter of eating Both the President and
Miss Cleveland are very fond of flowers, and
the dinner table is always decorated with
several large bouquets of cut flowers. His
favorite flower is the rose, and every evening
the gardener cuts boutonniere for him and
his guests, and large bouquet of roses for
Miss Cleveland and Miss Van Vechten. The
President enjoys mild cigar after his dinner
but is light smoker and never INDUCES in
public. Col. Lamont does not use tobacco in
any shape.
Having finished his cigar, the President
again retires to the passages of the mansion,
and then retires to the library, where he may
generally be seen from $50 until IL o'clock,
almost buried under huge mass of papers
with which he is struggling. After 8 o'clock
he never receives any but Cabinet ministers,
and with these he makes his own appoint
ments. To this rule he makes no exceptions,
as when he is at work he does not like to be
disturbed