Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1886-05-20
How President Cleveland i
Guarded.

| Washington Letter in Boston Traveller.
Although it is not generally known,
it is fact nevertheless, that the per-
son of the President is guarded and
protected as completely as though he
were surrounded by soldiers. Visitors
at the White House do not know this,
because they see nothing to indicate
that there is anybody in particular
| looking out after the safety of the
| head of the executive branch of the
government. But if you will look at
the gentlemanly and neatly dressed
ushers who stand at the entrance,
and can besfound at convenient places
all through the White House, you will
notice that they are all men OF fine
physique. Then if you gaze more
| carefully, you will see that they glance
sharply at each stranger upon enter
ing, and that there is hardly an inch in
the building which is not under the eye
OF some OF them. These ushers are
really detectives. Nearly every one
of them has achieved distinction in
some sort of police work. and as a
consequence the force at the White
House is about as efficient as it well
can be. Several of the ushers are
policemen detailed for the purpose of
acting in case of an emergency. Out
side of the building, both night and
day, a policeman in uniform is always
on duty. Another patorls the ground
to the south of the Executive Mansion,
and two more in citizens dress may
also be seen by those who are
familiar with their faces. Inside of
the House during business hours there
are always fully half dozen men on
the lower floor. Before man can
be ushered into the presence OF the
President he must first pass the
scrutiny OF big six-footer who
stands at the door and who is the
finest expert on ''cranks" in this
country. Washington is the Mecca OF
all cranks, and the White House the
irresistible magnet which draws them
from nearly every section of the land.
The great majority OF these peo-
pie have the crazy idea that they are
the rulers ofthe country and come here
to take possession ofthe Government.
But they never fool Sergeant Dinsmore.
He says he does not know exactly how
he can tell crank" but his instinct
i'll this line is remarkable. After hav-
ing passed his inspection another one
| of the ushers inquiries the nature of
your business with the President, but
this is never done so as to SAVIOR OF
improper curiosity.
Ii you satisfy him, then you are
taker up fight of stairs, where sits
the Presidents private messenger at O.
little desk. He is another expert on
"cranks." Ii the President is receiv-
ing callers, and that is on every day
in the week except Monday, the Sab
bath, and cabinet days, you will hand
him your card and he will take it to
the President, who is in the library.
Mr.. Cleveland will send you word
whether he can see you or not, but
after having passed to the ante-room
of the "holy of holies," the chances
are decidedly in favor OF you gaining
an audience.
In the library you will probably
find score OF men waiting to see the
President. Visitors seat themselves
around the room and i'll turn go to
the President, who generally stands
near the beautifully carved desk
which was presented by Queen Victo-
ria many years ago. Nearly every
stranger is disappointed at first with
Mr.. Cleveland's personal appearance.
He does not look to be the man he is,
and while his pictures give very good
idea of the expression of his features,
still they have adull, heavy cast which
is only dispelled when he begins to talk.
The President does not sit down with
visitors for a comfortable little chat.
He stands all the time, experience
having taught him that man is not
likely to tell long story and become
bore if he is on his feet. After you
have transacted your business you go
out, but there ism t any red-tape about
gaining the outside of the White House.