Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-04-10
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsHINGToN. April 3. 1856.

WASHINGTON, April 5, 1886.
President Cleveland's sick Cabinet
is in different stages of convale-
scence. His private secretary, Col.
Lamont, who has been sick, and
who is sometimes called the Presi-
deat, you know, because he is thought
by many to be the master spirit of
the firm in everything but name,
could i'll be spared from his official
post, and is at work again.
Since it is conceded that Mr.. Man
ming, even if be should recover, will
never again venture to return to
the head of the Treasury Depart
ment, gossip is afloat as to his prob
able successor. One of the latest
rumors is that the wealthy Pennsyl-
vania Congressman, Mr.. Scott, will
be the man.
The lower House of Congress has
been on strike during the greater
part OF the week, and it was not un-
til after four days debate and a
good deal of opposition that the La.
Dor Arbitration bill was passed.
Representative Farquhar, of New
York, who is the chief Executive of
the Typographical union of this
country, objected to the bill, but an
nounced that he was willing to vote
for it as it's friends were anxious to
give it a trial. He stated that he
and Mr.. Foran, of Ohio, were
the only two representatives of
skilled labor in this country who
bold seats in the House; the only
two men entitled to speak for two
great unions of skilled mechanics.
You may be interested to learn
that the White House is to have a
new tin roof, and that there is some
probability OF having new White
House, or an annex to the "Presi.
dents House," as Miss Cleveland
characterizes the Executive Mansion
in her invitations to lunch.
A bill providing for an extension
of the Mansion was introduced by
Senator Morrill, and passed by the
Senate four years ago. Recently it
has been reintroduced by him. 1t
appropriates 100000 for southern
addition to the present structure, of
similar exterior character, and con-
nected with it at the centre by a
broad corridor. The old edifice
would be occupied as executive Of.
fees and for public use, and the ex-
tension for the private residence.
1t has long been cherished wish
of the senior Senator from Vermont
to provide a more suitable residence
for the Presidents of the United
States. He holds that the present
building, which has been occupied
since 1900, has long been inadequate
to the uses required. Our popula-
ton is ten times greater than when
that old house was new. There are
thirty one rooms in it, but the FAM
lily dining room and six chambers
are all that belong exclusively to
the Presidents family. The public
business has grown until it requires
as much space as the entire house
would afford. Senator Morrill,
thought that the site being free of
expense, the whole cost would be
comparatively small. Said he !;
"There are no local constituents
pushing members here to remedy
the notorious deficiency in the
White House, but / expect to see
the bill pass, as it has merits equal
to or greater than those of any of
the bills for buildings in which the
constituents of members have in
terest.n
But Mr.. Morrill's scheme will en-
counter much opposition. There
are several Senators and a dozen or
two members of the Lower House
who argue that because men can be
found who will gladly accept the
Presidential Office and reside in the
old White House, there is no need
of other accommodations. Cnques-
tionably there are scores of alleged
statesmen who would be glad to be
installed as master OF the Mansion
as it stands, but that is doubtful
argument against the proposed an
annex.
On account of the unsanitary con.
struction of the old edifice, and the
impossibility of introducing into it
certain modern improvements, it
has been suggested that it be de-
molished and an entirely new struc.
ture be reared on the site. That
will never be done until we turn
iconoclasts. For its historic value.
and by reason of it's associations,
the old house will be left intact.
There will he various opinions as
To W hnthor a nom AInnn;<.. a.. -. -