National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-06-19
CARDS AT THE WHITE HOUSE.


Some Characteristic signatures.
One of the sources of revenue Of the gov
eminent comes from the white house. In
the last three weeks over 5000 people have
contributed to II by sending their card TO
the President. Every statesman who sends
his pasteboard to Mr.. Cleveland sometimes
gives the government more than he gets.
Ills card is worth just COOS. When card
is sent to the President the doorSeeper at
the head of the steps regards 1t closely,
sizes up the sender, as IL were, and takes
IL In to the President. When the latter
has looked at IL the doorkeeper
takes IL back to his desk in the hall, and
leaves IL there for inspection by reporters.
At night the cards are done up In q
bundle and put away. At the end Of
month these packages are taken to the cell
lar and added TO the waste paper collection.
Then the whole is sold During May the
waste paper brought In over $50. The
card portion was worth nearly half dollar.
An official who examines them every day
sums up the number Of callers and the
cards as follows:
"There were 5000 cards. Every variety
made, from the paper provided by the gov
eminent to the gilt edge, was represented.
OF the 5000 the plurality, or 700, came from
New York state. Every state and twelve
foreign countries contributed. The largest
number of cards received in one day was
207, on March 20. There were over $50
names written on these cards, and the
largest number Of names on one card was
seven. That came from Missouri. The
second week Of President Cleveland's adj
ministration was what swelled the card col
lection, for we took In $50, excluding Sun
day. Most Of the cards were printed,
some were written In pencil and ink. The
styles Of penmanship covered every system
taught, and the writing and autobiography
Of some were very bad. One that came
from Boston merchant had written on the
back of the card, want to SC the President
on matters Of Official bisness.'
sit is not always the rural or illiterate of
fceseekers that the bad penmanship comes
from. Some well-known men are very
poor penmen. George William Curtis
writes a struggling hand and 1t cannot al
ways be read Its like all editors penman-
ship.
"Henry Ward Beecher nearly always has
his cards printed. Sometimes the name
of friends who accompany him are written
on the back. Nobody ever tries to decipher
1t.
"Mayor Grace writes clear hand, but
forgets to dot his i's' and cross his u.s.
Representative Randall, when he leaves
his card case at home, writes his name on q
blank slip in clear, running hand. Every
body can read It.
"Vice President Hendricks, when he
calls, writes The Vice President on card.
| 1t takes him some time to do 1t. Then 1t
can be read easily. Even II he didn't write
clearly we would know what 1t was, because
| he never changes the wording.
"Senator German dashes off Arthur Cor
man and friends easily and quietly. He
writes a legible, although careless, hand.
| HSnnatOr Mcdonald has mt hpen IN the
| printed cards.
Representative Morrison is frequent
visitor. He never comes with card, and
writes his name in firm, businesslikt
hand that is very legible. He usually
brings half dozen friends with him, ana
writes under his name and friends.'