Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-12
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WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE departure
of President Harrison's party this morning
was an imposing affair. The United States
steamer Despatch was pressed into service,
the same pretty little steamer used so often
by Mr.. Arthur, while President Arthur was
wont to be whirled along the avenue and
down the navy yard boulevard, and along
side the steamer in great style, behind four
spanking bays and coachman and footman
in gorgeous livery, President Harrison was
content to-day with two horses, but he per-
mitted tremendous salute of cannon to be
fired, which was regularly forbidden by
Mr.. Arthur. As for Mr.. Cleveland, he
never could be persuaded to employ Gov
eminent property for his private pleasure,
except that legally allotted to him.
Democrats are commenting freely this
evening on the noise and pomp of the de-
parture of the morning, but the average
Washington citizen likes to see such things,
as they furnish additional local attractions,
and so the incident is generally treated with
indifference or heartily commended.
The Presidential Party.
1t was about 1880 o'clock when three car
riages drove through the gates of the navy
yard and down to the wharf where the
United States steamer Despatch was moored.
In the first carriage were the President,
Mrs. Harrison, two nursemsids and as many
babies. In the second vehicle Secretary
Window rode alone and the rather dingy
rig which brought up the tail end of the
procession was occupied by Secretary Rusk.
All morning the officers and sailors OF the
Ao,g I,l G.
rival of the party. The brass rail of the
upper deck shone like FURNISHED gold in
the sun, the decks were sEabbed white and
70 clean, and every rope was neatly coiled in
its paper plASa Asr-tne-eafFiaSes 1xaye
leisurely down to the waters side, the Off
GERS and men fell into their places, and as
the President stepped out big gun upon
the hill doomed a salute. The horses
pranced, Baby Mckee chuckled and the
President smiled, Then he
Took the Baby i'm His Arms
and helped Mrs Harrison from the carriage.
He walked over the gangway, holding the
child by the hand, and, while the Presi-
dents flag was run up to the top-gallant,
every man in sight raised his hat.
Secretary Window was the next to go
on board, and then Uncle Jerry Rusk, who
had been critically looking the boat over,
stepped cautiously on the gangplank.
The guns continued to boom, the hawsers
were slipped, and the boat glided out into
the stream. A balmy breeze was blowing
over from the Virginia hills, and the COM
panv took of their hats and the wind blew
through the rigging. Secretary Tracy, who
had up to this time been invisible, appeared
on deck. He had tor an hour been in the
captains cabin.
In the Presidential luggage there were
so1 I-ol Al
they might contain fishing tackle, but if
they did it was well concealed.
Nobody Knows Where They Went.
Just what the destination of the party
was no one would say, but it was hinted
that the steamer might be sailed down to
some quiet haven, secure from cyclones and
ofiee-seekers, where salt water breezes blow,
and anchored there, where the party could
be put ashore amid sylvan shades and enjoy
the sermons of the trees and brooks and !
stones in the Almighty's first temples,
rather than in the heated pews of the Church |
Of the Covenant
As the President wouldn't start for the |
Centennial until midnight chimes had an
nounced the end Of Sunday, it is very GER |
tain he will not permit the Despatch to |
sail home with him on Sunday, and so the
ofice-seekers will be forced to wait in i'm
renewing their onset.
Secretary Halford did not accompany the |
party. but started for Atlanta instead, to
meet Mrs Halford, who is on her way home
from Florida. Tt
Minister Lincoln was one of the few
callers before the early departure of the
President. He bade goodby to all his
friends and took his way to the New York
train. Hs will sail for England next We'd
nesday.
Fixing the White House for Summer.
Hardly had the President vacated the
White House ere body of workmen in
vaded the Cabinet room and library and
proceeded to pull up carpets and remove
curtains, preparatory to the summer
season. and instead Of heavy brussels and
Turkish portieres, when the President re-
turns he will find cool mattings on the
floors and light hangings at the windows of
his Office.
Despite the announcement of the Presi-
dents departure, crowds of tourists thronged
the East room to-day, many of them being |
intent upon shaking hands with the Presi-
dent, and they were astonished to learn that
he was not in the city.