Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-04
LADY OF THE WHITE HOUSE
Miss X. =. Cleveland. the President.
sister, to be Mistress

Miss Il. =. Cleveland the Presidents
sister, to be Mistress.
ALBANY, y. Y, Feb. 2S.-President-
elect Cleveland has completed the few
preparations which he deems necessary
for the social side of his forthcoming resi-
dence in Washington. His sister, Miss
r. L. Cleveland. will be the mistress of
the W hite House. She did not JON the
household in the Governors Mansion
here, but has been with him a great deal
since be retired to the TOVner residence.
on his resignation of the GovernOrship.
lt was with reluctance that she cor
sented to 20 to Washington to take
charge of the Presidential dOmicie.
She has been an earnest and in
dustriOus woman, and never cOntem-
plated a life of luxury. much less
one OF conspicuous position before the
country. She Is as unique in her way as
her brother is in his, though they are ap-
parently not at all alike in general char
aCter. Nor does she physically resemble
him. Sheis of medium stature and build.
with a shapely and highly intellectual
face. She is good looking, but not pretty.
She dresses neatly, but plainly, and wears
few ornaments. She has for a long time
been a lecturer by profession. her specI-
atty being educational subjects, and her
audiences usually the pupils OF girls
schools. She has, for example, just
lectured at the Elmira Seminary,
on Joan of Arc" She speaks
several languages, is a constant
reader, is exceptionally well informed in
history and the arts, and has that degree
Of confidence in herself and the knowledge
she possesses to be able 10 firmly take the
lead in conversation, and to hold iC against
the bright men and women who haze
come in contact with her. Yet in some
respects she is notably shy, and always
so modest and amiable as 20 win friends
easily and quickly.
'sWby, she's a perfect dictionary" lid
eX-GOv. Cornell, when he returned from a
visit TO Miss Cleveland, yesterday; ''she's
one Of the brightest women l ever met"
And do you know" remarked the eX-
Governors vivaciOus wife, ''she seemed
inclined TO avoid prOmiscuous society in
Washington. | told her on no account to
do so. l informed her what nice peOTle
she would meet, how charming the social
atmosphere is there, il one only chooses
ones own circle among the refined fami-
lies; and also assured her that she need
not be doubtful about her ability to enter
tain, though | omitted the truth-there
are few women there so we'll fitted to
reign in the White House as she.'
There seems to be no doubt that Miss
Cleveland's administration will not lack
distinctive qualities, for she is a strong
minded woman, accustomed to instruct
members Of her sex, and with firmly
grounded notions generally.
As TO the President-elect, theTe is au
equal certainty that he has made up his
mind to rival or excel Arthur in the pO-
likeness of his social administration. If
YOU call on him here, and have livet in
Washington, he unreservedly shows
great interest in all that YOU can tell him
about the capital. He has never seen the
White House. and he says very positively
that il YOU or your friends have any curl
ositv to inspect il you had better do so
Immediately, for he does not intend to
have it managed as museum, TO be en-
tered by anybody who will fee servant
with a dollar. He has no objection TO the
public exhibition Of the state parlOrs
whenever they are not in use, but TO have
his bedroom and the living apartments Of
his family tGrOwn wide open to whoever
cares TO see them he thinks must be un-
nleasant for the occupants. He has al
ready ordered that the practice be discOn-
tipued as soon as he shall be installed.
In his life here in Albany, Cleveland Is
plain enough. He eats sparingly; his
cook is an ordinary servant, with no
Frencb or other accomplishments. The
small and delicate Senator EYarts, whom
your correspondent happened TO see IN
close contrast with Cleveland during MS
call. swallows as much in one day as the
bulkler man does in three. Whatever MS
habits NAV have been in Buffalo, ne GER
taiuly has not been known here as a con-
vivial bachelor. He keeps a box OF cigars
IN his desk, and they constitute tue only
refreshments commonly offered TO visitors.
His predecessors. Dix. Tilden and Cor
nell, always had wine galore, but he aOol-
isned the closet for beverages.