The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-09-17
PRESIDENTS OF OLD.
"Reminiscences OF Former Attend
ant at the White House.
Fyonl the IYdShtnqton Star


former employe at the White House to
reporter few days ago, that the National
MOTEL furnished the executive mansion with
the most of its attendants and help nearly
half a century ago. Perhaps three-fourths
of the doorkeepers, messengers, stewards,
walters, etc, came from there. In the sum-
rner Of 1884" he continued, ''Mr. Samuel
Coleman of the Aston house, New York,
succeeded Mr. Gadsby at the National.
Nr. Coleman brought his furniture aud
hon from New York in a schooner by sea,
and he opened about Nov. l. The house
from the first took firm hold upon the
travelling public, and soon it was
flled with the best class of the soiourn-
ers including Gen. Armstrong and many
officers Of the army and navy and members
Of congress Mr. Coleman had the best
class Of employees, and among them werc
number of gentlenanly-looking young men
from New York, who were as efficient as
handsome. There were hops and parties in
the large drawing room on the second floor
at least weekly, sometimes three or four
times per week, and among those who fire.
ouently gave parties was Mrs James Cor
don Bennett. These entertainments were
somewhat different from those Of the pres
ant day. They would close with supper
o.. midnight, and it was the rule that 'Ynen
.Le guests entered the supper room all the
waltors but one would retire. He would
remain in the room simply to be on hand
should anything else be wanted. There were
at the hotel at all times during the session
pIonty of society people, and there were
Usually some 800 guests The general plan
of the hotel was as at present. but be-
Ieve that two stories have been added
since"
PRESIDENT PoLK'S ADMINISTRATION.
Ill lao ,a1o L,J
arrived with Mrs Polk and Knox Walker,
wife and children in February and located
at tie National" continued the speaker.
"They took a suite of rooms on the second
floor, and one of the New York servants
was detailed to attend him. | well remem-
Der the day of his Inauguration. Ny! didn't
the rain come down. Nevertheless they had
procession, aud he went to the capitol and
EQs inaugurated. We had no thought then
that the President would call on any of us
attendants of the hotel Mr.. Polk, during
his stay, had been observant Soon after
his inauguration he asked Mr.. Coleman to
send him q good man for steward, and it
was done In the course of a few months
others were sent fer, and in little time
most of the white house attendants were
from the hotel Some of these remained
for years at the white house and others were
transferred to department places. The
President paid the attendants from his own
pocket, and it was not until the edministra-
zion of Mr.. Fillmore that they were paid
directly from the public funds"
THE PRESIDENTS HABITS.
Mr.. Polk he continued, twas an early
riser, and when the weather was not in
clement would take a walk for half an hour
through the grounds and often return to
the house before the members of the family
were ready for breakfast. When our troops
were in Mexico the war was the subject
which seemed to be continually on the Pres
dents mind, and l have heard him fire.
quently say as he would sit down to break
fast, How can l relish breakfast and
not know how the army is faring'.
/ took from the President to Gen. Scott the
note directing him Gen. Scott to proceed
TO Mexico and take personal command of
the troops. Gen. Scott then lived in the
Madison house near the northeast corner
of Lafayette square. The note I gave to
the generals messenger and waited the
reply, in which Gen. Scott said he was TAX
ing hasty plate of soup, and expressed the
opinion that as it was then the epidemic
season in the tropics it would be hazardous
for him to go. believe that this note was
the origin Of the term ''haSty plate of
soup" Gen, Scott, however. came to the
white house soon after, and it was not long
before he left Tor Mexico. The
ident, Mrs. Polk and Mr.. and Mrs.
Knox Walker and the children. They were
all very democratic in their manners and
tastes, and wien Sunday came they spent
it quietly, usually attending the Presbyte-
rian church on Four-and-a-half street. Mr..
Polk took much interest in the campaign in
which Lewis Cass and Gen. Taylor were the
candidates, and was great personal ad-
tnirer of 'Old Rough and Ready" though
opposed to him politically.
WITH PRESIDENT TAYLOR
"Old Zack," as he was Familiarity
called, continued the narrator, twas
such position, and knowing
him and Mrs. Taylor as did, can readily
believe that 1t is true that Mrs. Taylor
said when apprised of her husbands cleo
ton, What do they want us to go to
Washington fore Why can't they allow us
to spend our old age in peacep He was
inaugurated in 1S49, and, with Mrs. Taylor,
Col. Bliss and wife and his private score;
tary, constituted the household. |
do not know that any one in the presi-
Dental chair ever had the respect of the
people of the district more than Gen. Tay-
lor, for, as | have said before, he was SO
plain and simple in his ways. He did not
seem to regard the office as of too much
dignity to keep him away from the people,
ana during his short term ne frequently
walked down to tho old center market,
where he would inspect the commodities on
the stalls. A fine show of beef or mutton
on the butchers stalls would interest him,
and have known him to remark to Capt.
Peck, then one OF the leading butchers, as
to the quality of the meats, and discuss
cattle growing with him.
IN THE EAST ROOM
" never shall forget sight in the east
room when a Sunday school procession
called to pay their respects With their
banners ana flags flying, they filed around
the edges Of the room, leaving space for
the President, and when he was escorted in
he appeared to be taken aback. A little
girl then stepped forward and recited an
address, presenting him with a bouquet,
and then young boy of perhaps II ex-
pressed the respect of the scholars, etc,
ior him, and likewise presented a bouquet |
with the words, I'VE present you this with |
the wishes that you and your family will |
ENJOY long life and many happy days. 1t |
was little thought then that in a short time |
De would be a corpse. In reply to these |
addresses the old general said he had been |
taken by surprise, and then expressed his |
qualification that the children were grow |
ing up in the Sunday school, for he as an |
Ola man could see that the country would |
ne safe IN the hands of such as he saw be- |
lore him. 1t has seemed to me since that |
many who were present on that occasion
must have been just the proper age to ten |
DER their QaryiOaS IN ka In "a