The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-29

was not here in Old Hickorys day. but father
was, and he informed us all regarding Jackson's
shortcomings in managing social matters
"But" we said the character of the two men
being so wholly different, there can bo no sim
ilArity of conduct in any respect
There 10, though ehe replied promptly.
Mr.. Cleveland 'bulldozes women just as much
ms Jackson did; and If you remember any of the
social mistakes of his administration. you must
zee that IN the management OF affairs in the
White House President Cleveland has as limited
a knowledge of women as Andrew jackson had
lin fact not so much, for Jackson was wild
over, while Cleveland is bachelor. Cleveland
socially is very like jackson socially. He means
to have his own way. and cares nothing for the
way the world may look at his doings. jackson
was not dependent on the women folk of his ad-
ministration for entertainment neither is Gro
yer Cleveland.
sMr Cleveland has never been out to drive
with his sister since they came to Washington.
When she has had guest here, he has not
Joined them in their drives. He has seen very
little of his sister when she has been in the
White House. and it is no wonder that she has
openly declared her dislike Of the place. and her
desire 20 get out of it.
1.-THE social atmosphere about the President Is
not zephyr-like nor inspiring; perhaps this Is
due to the fact that he believes that women
should hold subordinate place-be in the back
ground. in fact, when not wanted for figure
heads at some stupid public show. The result
mas been what was TO Dc 0XpecteQ-6 Quu anu
formal time socially.
"Mr Cleveand's mistake is not due to selfish
ness or a dislike of women; he is said to be
most kind brother in his way-but it is his way
that is to be objected to. He does not know how
60 do and he will not allow himself to be taught.
His marriage may be one of love. but his wooine
has not been that of lover All Washington is
talking about this matter Everyb body surmises
the reason he decided to change his domestic ar
rAngements."
Rv this time nv informant had hecoma thor
oughly interested. and she went on substantially
IS is recorded below.
Miss Cleveland has many qualities which I'M
fitted her for the place -he asked her to fill only
after Mrs Hoyt had declined it, He would
have preferred Mrs. Hoyt because she was alb
Dorbed in her domestic life, and would not have
been much to the public in consequence. But
she could not give up her home duties, and so
Miss Cleveland was called from her lecture work
IN the schools to Washington. People did not
specially admire her at first with her short hair
and pronounced school marin" manners but
they grew to like her as they sawmore and more
of her kind heart and Christian spirit, the latter
exhibited in her many and prompt concessions
IN regard TO her hair and her stiff costumes She
had not been here q month before the women
who came in contact with her saw that she in
tended to I'LL the bilp as nearly as she could.
She put on prettier gowns, and even wore low
necked dresses. Her hair she had arranged on
TOP Of her mead, and her appearance was decid-
edly improved. Though as taciturn as her
ngreeaby interested in the life she had to lead.
Life moved along smoothly enough for her in
the White House for the first months, and Miss
Cleveland was becoming moro and more accus-
toned to her new functions when she surprised
her brother by the publication of her book.
That was a bomb in the White House which
nearly upset the presidential equilibrium. Mr..
Cleveland vehemently objected to 1t, because he
thought it would be very injurious to him. and
the fact of his displeasure became an open Sc
cret to all who were very friendly terms with
him. Do you remember the furore created by
the book2 Nothing so interesting had ever &C.
CURED to presidential family. and If the Presi-
dent had liked it, this wedding would not now
be agitatine the public mind.
Miss Cleveland was in Washington when the
book appeared, and went away shortly afterward
on account of his feeling, whereupon Mrs La
mont was installed in the White House. and Mrs.
Folsom and her daughter were sent for by the
President and became his guests.
This made Mrs Lamont the hostess by cour
tesy. Miss Cleveland did not return to Wash
ington Immediately, and she has spent very lit
tle time since in the White House.
Meantime, Mrs. and Miss Folsom sailed for
Europe in order that the latter might prepare
herself for her new position, and be out of the
way of gossips during the engagement il the
fact should be found out. Mr.. Clev@land's in
tention however was that Ii should be kept
profound secret
Washington society people commented freely
upon the prolonged absence of Miss Cleveland,
Cleveland was annoyed that she had become
author while holding such place at the White
House. Several acquaintances of the President
talked publicly in reference to his attitude. and
predicted marriage for him as the outcome OF his
sisters course.
The brother and sister pursued their outward
way evenly, whatever was said in private. Miss
Cleveland returned to the White House after
her long stay in Holland Patent, and the Presi
dent welcomed her back.
Miss Cleveland's temperance views formed the
first cause of annoyance to the President in fact
il was the notoriety given to this matter that
made it so hard for him to bear with equanimity
the second cause of disappointment which came
through her. She had record a temperance
worker and had published several articles on
thu subject in the newspapers. Or course, after
such a conspicuous temperance example as she
had in one of her predecessors, there was less
surprise manifested in her ultra views than
would have been the case had not another mem
iero of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union
a.iopted the same line of action. Miss Cleve-
;And, however did not push her temper
ance in the White House. She had not
sufficient influence over her brother to
induce him to Danish wine from
the White House table, consequently it appeared
and he drank it every day Her plate was never
surrounded with glasses, and many times guests,
noting this were polite enough to ignore theirs.
This though meant to be respectful to her. was
not pleasant to host or hostess, and the Presi
dent was often embarrassed by the hesitation
with which his gentlemen guests touched wine
even at his invitation. No reference was made
to it, of course, at the table or in the White
House. but there was not q private house in the
the city where society congregates, in which the
matter was not canvassed Every body could see
just what was wrong in the social administration
of Mr.. Cleveland. and yet no one could suggest
q remedy. Miss Cleveland and her brother are
said to be greatly alike In their reticence and
pride. They are too much alike to be harmoni
ous pair, and if harmony is ever wanted in any
place in this world, it is the White House. The
world is so given to criticism that q Presidents
life is desired.
Both the President and his sister made an
egregious mistake in the beginning in being de-
termined to be as independent in the White
House as anywhere else. Neither apparently
knew that such q thing was an impossibilitv