Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-07
Ex-PREsIDENT ARTHUR.
The Events of His Last Day In the
White House,

WASHINGTON, March 4.-EX-President
Arthur's last day at the White House was
not marked by any event of especial note.
He did not retire to rest until o'clock
| this morning. He was engaged until that
| hour in signing bills from Congress, and
attending to such official correspon-
dence as needed his signature as Presi-
dent. After a nap of two hours he
arose and breakfasted in his room.
! There was a pleasant exchange of
! courteses between him and Vice
President-elect Hendricks when the
| latter reached the White House about 10
O'Clock. Half an hOur later Gov. Cleve-
| land arrived in company with Senators
| Sherman and Ransom. They were usher
ed into the Blue Room, where Mr.. Hen
bricks and Senator Hawley awaited them.
| In a few minutes the President entered.
He crossed the chamber with Outstretch-
ed hand and greeted Mr.. Cleveland cor
| daily. Mr.. Arthur was the first to speak.
II congratulate you, Governor, on hav-
ing so perfect day for your inaugural.
Permit me to wish that your stay in the
White House may be as pleasant as mine
has BEEN"
After few minutes general conversa-
ton the distinguished party descended to
the carriages, and were driven to the capt.
tol.
When the party alighted again at the
White House, upon the ir return, Mr.. Ar
thur, taking Mr.. Cleveland by the arm,
exclaimed:
''This is your home now, Mr.. President;
please precede," at the same time gently
forcing him through the widely opened
door. Thoso who were present at the
Executive Mansion to-day said that moth
ing could be more courteous, cOnsiderate
and hospitable than Mr.. Arthur's atten-
tions to his successor. He made use of
all the little arts of which he is so perfect
master to put Mr.. Cleveland at his ease.
Alter witnessing the review the party re-
turned to the house, where an elegant col
latiOn was spread. The invited guests,
who numbered probably fifty in all, were
then presented to the new President.
They included both the retiring and in
coming Cabinet, officers of the army and
Navy, Justices of the Supreme Court, and
members of the Senate. 1t was probably
6 O'Clock when the guests retired.
Preparatory to leaving the White
House, Gen. Arthur bade each of the at
taches good-by. They all gathered in a
little group about the retiring President.
He had pleasant word for each as he
shook them by the hand. Outside quite a
crowd had gathered as Mr.. Arthur en-
tered the carriage in company with Sec
retary Frelinghuysen. Howard Carroll,
OF New York, shouted:
''Three cheers far the most patient. con-
serVative and best President the White
House has ever scent"
The only domestic animal about the
premises is small skye terrier, Taddie,
which belonged to the late Mrs. Arthur.
When Mrs. McElroy and the children
vacated the White House to-day Miss
Nellie carried Taddie in her arms. She
stood for moment in the porte c0chere,
and holding the dog high above her head,
said:
"Say goOd-by to everybody, Taddie."
The dog, obedient to her request, emit
ted several sharp barks, after which the
little miss sprang into the carriage.
1t may be said that MIR. Arthur leaves
the White House with regret. To a
friend the other day he remarked that his
three years. residence there were among
the pleasantest of his life. The social
features Of the White House were very
enjoyable to man of his nature. He en-
tertalned a great deal, probably more
than any of his immediate predecessors.
The Hayeses LETT the White House with a
snug balance to their credit. 1t is said
that Arthur lived up to every dollar of
MS income, and that he goes out as poor
as he entered. Clayton McMichael, who
is one of the eX-President's more intimate
friends, says that the floral ornaments on
the occasion of great State dinners were
frequently ordered from New York al an
expense of 1900.