Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-06
As FIRST BUILT,

of a home. II is estimated that last year
1G0.OOOpeople visited the White House. and
there is no doubt but that the throng of visitors
will continue to grow in numbers. 1t is also
noted that the house is continually growing
smaller place of residence The employees
of the executive Office are increasing in num-
Der. and the rooms required for their accom-
mediation are located on the second floor and
are encroaching upon the private living rooms
Bedroom after bedroom has been given up to
ONCE purposes. until now there are no more
sleeping rooms III the White
House than the tenant of house
renting for twenty-five or thirty dollars
a month enjoys. This encroachment upon
the family part of the White House began in
the time of President johnson. Previous to
that the private secretary OF the President con-
sttuted the entire force of the executive office.
which was located in the White House When
the business Of the President required addi-
tOnal clerical force clerks in the Treasury de-
partment were detailed for that purpose and
they did their work III that building. When
President johnson came into Office he trans
ferred the clerks employed on executive work
IN the Treasury department to the White House,
and there all such employees have remained 10
this day.
SITES FOR NEW RESIDENCE.
The Inconvenience to the Presidents family
by this contraction of the accommodations in
the White House was soon realized. Over
twenty years ago the agitation was begun for
the erection of a residence for the President
The agitation has now more than reached its
majority, and seems 10 be in a rather healthy
condition. The earliest movement in this di-
rect.on was made i'll the year 1867. when a
clause was inserted in the sundry civil bill
directing the survey of tract OF land for a
park and a site for a presidential mansion
This resolution resulted in An elaborate report
from Major Michler, of the engineer CORDS
Several sites were suggested. Meridian Hill
the estate of Colonel MessmOre, containing 100
acres. had the honor of having the first mem
ton IN the report. Ii stated that the 80
acres adjoining on the west. belonging to Mr.
Little. could also be obtained MetrOpolis View
the homestead of Washington Berry. which
lay just north of lexington between Lincoln
avenue and the old Bladensburg road. was
thought by Maj. Michler to possess many de-
slrdble features. The country residence of W.
". COrcorsn, Hardwood, now a part of the
Soldiers Home grounds, and the homestead of
MOncUre Robinson. adjoining on the east the
land OF the Soldiers Home, completed the list
OF locations which were deemed suitable for
such purpose. 1t may be of interest to state
that this report contains full description of
the Rock creek region. especially as to its
sdaptability for public park
KEEPING Up THE AGITATION.
The recommendations of Maj MIchler rela-
tive 10 a site for presidential residence never
materialized into legislation The agitation of
the matter was. however, renewed during Pres
ident Grants term. when the new era for Wash
ington set in. A number of propositions were
made. IL was suggested that house for the
President ought 10 be erected on Meridian hill
at the head of 10th street. The Little tract
which had been purchased by the syndicate
which now owns il and has recently subdivided
II was proposed rs a suitable location. Gov.
Shepherd thought that the square where the
late Nr. CCrcorans residence now stands should
be purchased by the government and house
FOR the President erected there. All these
suggestions and propositions came to nothing.
Congress has failed to take any action. The
only measure which has come before Congress
j. the bill which was reported fayorably to the
Senate IN lSs2 by Senator Morrill, and was again
brought before the Senate IN 1856. 1t Is pro-
posed by this bill to authorize the erection of
building precisely similar in its exterior 10
tire present. directly south Of il, and connected
with II from the center by broad corridor.
Dir. Morrill, Is Of the opinion that in this way
ample room Will be secured for the executive
oihce and for the accommodation of the Presi-
dents family.
TIE PRESENT BUILDING TO STAND.
IL Is noticeable that in all the plans and sug-
gestiOns offered 10 remedy the difficulties
which have been recognized for more than
twenty years, ii has never beeR contemplated
10 remove or change the present building The
sentiment Of the people Of the country would
be pronounced against any harmful meddling
with this historic house. The classic sim
picity Of its style, its imposing dimensions. and
the memories which cluster about il will ALWAYS
cause it to be place of interest to the Ameri-
can people. II Is the only public building in
this city that has remained unchanged in the
Elidst OF the marvellous transformations that
the capital city has witnessed Ali the Presi-
dents, with the exception of Washington, have
lived there, and the first President is associated