The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-09-29
EXECUTIVE MANSION


This was in bad taste. the people said
They did not like it. How did Mr.. Hal
ford happen to consent 60 having the
identity of the mounted carrier thus pro-
claimed i'm circus poster type? Why
should the White House messenger 60
about advertising himself like a dairy
man or butcher:
They heard Of these unpleasant whis-
pers at the White House. They heard
the pOpulace was displeased with the
saddle bags Of the presidents mounted
messenger. They made excuses, and
thus gave us a fine example Of the thor
oughly democratic nature of our iustitu-
tions. Here was the buzz of the boule-
ward about the gilt lettering on a pair Of
saddle bags making the immediate sat
elites Of the king hang their jaws. Po-
lite and bcwhiskered Col. Crook protest
ed that he had never heard of the saddle
bag. Crbane Mai. Pruden, who will SO
down 10 history as the man through
whom a dozen presidents have hurled
their communications at congress, said
the saddle bags were topic which he
must respectfully decline to discuss.
Private Secretary lalford, first lord Of
the White House during the absence OF
the president, thought the letters were a
trihc large. but that the liberties Of the
people were in 10 wise endangered. ii
appeared. finally, that Wclch had prOcur-
ol the bagsand the lettering without any
body's consent or authorization. There
by he had subjected his august master
10 open ridculo upon the thoroughfares
Of the capital city. And there was none
t. chide him, none 70 plunge him into
dungeon cell for unhappy Prescriptions
aud 40 soldiery 10 80 forth with sabers
mud cooked hats TO discipline the multi.
tude that dared make sport of the presi-
dents courier upon the highway. \
democracy this for sure!
Messenger WEIGH is brave enough TO
face public ridiculc, He was one Of the
men of the First Maine regiment of vol
uniccrs who made the gallant assault on
Petersburg losing 600 OF their comrades
in few minutes-the regiment which
Gen. Walker SAYS lost moro men in one
battle than any other regiment of the
armies. The custom of keeping mount
cd messenger at the White House had
its oriein in the war time, when the ex-
ccutivc mansion was military as well as
civil headquarters Now there are two
congratulate Welch, Of the new
saddle bags. and Edgar h. Beckley. col
orcd. There is work enough for them
both. particularly in winter. Etiquette
requires the president TO send all OF his
communications within the capital by
hand. The rule is not rigldly enforced,
but the exceptions are rare. One mes
sencer goes several times a day for the
White House mail, and carries letters TO
The postotice, it being one of the tradi-
tons that no mail carrier must set foot
within the mansion. Then there are
many letters and documents TO be car
ricd to the departments and bureaux
During the season one messenger Is Kept
fairly busy carrying social commuuica-
lions. none of which should be intrust.
od TO the mails
Invitations TO state dinners are always
sent out by messengers, and. of course,
tothe homes Of the invited guests. Secre-
tarv WINDOWS Office is but couple OF
hundred wards from the executive man.
sion, but 10 invite Secretary Window TO
dinner at the White House the messen-
yer must mount and ride mile to the
secretary's residence.
7. Every winter the president gives a
scries Of card receptions TO the senators
and representatives i'm congress, the IN.
dietary and tho army and navy. For
these events hundreds Of invitations are
sent ont, and it Is interesting TO note how
the White House staff strike q happy
medium between strict observance Of
official etiquette and a careless method Of
sransacting the states social business
suNltanOns 10 supreme Justices, army
and navy officers aud newspaper men
are delivered 10y mounted courierat their
residences. while the cards Of senators
and representatives are deposited in the
house and senate postotliccs, though with
the understanding that they are not TO be
delivered in the Capitol. bIu at the resi- |
oences of the addresses.
asked one of the old timers about the |
White House If they had mounted mes
sengcrs a half century ago.
"Oh. no" he replied; lin those days |
there was no need for mounted messcn-
gor or any other sort Of messenger.
The president used TO get lonesome and
so out on tho street corners and talk 10
the people. and invite them to come up
20 the White House and see him, Now
we employ seventeen doorkeepers and
waichmen TO keep the people out"
The last time the president was at the
White House he stepped into tho assist
ant secretary's room and stood for few
minutes in front Of the mantei gazing at
an array OF photographs. lie gazed long
anu earnestly at one after another, and
:nally turned away with the remark:
Ny Benny is no; the only pretty baby
IN this country"
The niantel was fairly covered with
pictures OF little ISenjapIns, Harrisons,
Benjamin Harrisons and Harrison Nor
tons. with all sorts OF surnames. Ever
ei0co March 4 nkofoora..Ls ~ h.hio. |