The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-03-13
A NEW WHITE HOUSE.

IRIS. Harrison 8 Ela0 IOr DS1NeA-S -1S
the Home of the Presidents
WASHINGTON, March 1O.-The Erening
star to-day contains an article giving IN ex-
tanso the design which Mrs. Harrison has
,ronared for a new executive mansion, in
t,a shane of an addition to the present
i,iIding The desire OF Mrs. Harrison to
inaupurate q movement which will relieve
Or succassors from the inconvenience
which she has encountered in trying to
make the presidents family comfortable
4, as NANTES ed last summer, when she ex-
rressed her views regarding the inadequate
accommodations of the executive mansion
for the dual purposes OF offices
an residence. Since that time
sra has had conferences with
senators and representatives. and has re-
oaiyed assurances of cooperation in her
rlans. In 1882 Senator Morrill,, chairman
IF the committee on public buildings and
grounds, secured the passage of an appro-
Dropriation of $500, 900 in the Senate for the
erection of a duplicate executive mansion
on me south of the present one, TO be con-
nected by corridor, and to be used as pri-
vate residence for the President and family.
Nothing further was done, but since Mrs.
Harrison has taken hold of the subject new
interest has been awakened. which, it is
thought, will result in some action.
The committee on public buildings and
grounds of the Senate have been invited to
visit the executive mansion to examine its
condition with a view to repairs and to
enable Mrs. Harrison TO state her ideas
with reference to the extension of the build
ing. The theory of Mrs. Harrison's design,
which has been carried out in the plans
which an architect of this city has made
under her direction, is the preservation Of
the original building intact, the addition on
the east and west respectively of counter
parts of the original structure in gem
eral architectural style, their connection
with the main edifice by colonuade range,
and the extension on the south of wide
conservatory or winter garden, with CEN
trail rotunda or palm house, the entire
series of structures forming the four sides
of an inner park. The original building is
to be devoted exclusively to the uses of an
executive residence. On the west is the
official wing, approached from the depart
menus of state, war and navy, and ar
ranged on the first floor with diplomatic
audience room and ante-rooms for
guests at receptions. The connecting
range or statuary hall forms the way
to the main building, where the President
and wife receive The second floor of this
wing contains the office of the President, the
executive library and cabinet, the private
secretary's and clerks rooms. From the
main building toward the east another
broad passage similar to that on the west
opens into the public wing, containing the
gallery of paintings and treasures OF art and
history. This wing will be open to visitors.
The conservatories on the south form not
only a scene of tropical beauty in winter,
when social gayehes are at their hight, but
a grand promenade back to the entrance
and to the ante-rooms, thus obvlating the
orNvrIinO xuhiob in crraat fhrOnCg OT
people.
The outer measurement of this architect
ural rectangle of edifices is 427 feet from
east to west, and $50 feet from north to
south. The inner court or park, $50 feet
square, is to be turfed and arranged in par
terres, with grand allegorical fountain in
the center, commemorative the discovery
of America in 1892, the laying of the corner
stone of the executive mansion in 1892, and
the triumph of free institutions in 1892.
The fountain will represent the landing
of Columbus and his officers on the
October morning of 1892 from the
Santa Maria, Pinta, and Nina, with
the island of Guanahani in the dis
tance Subsidiary figures will represent
the different ages of exploration, colonial
ton, independence and national pro gress.
This piece would not only be an effective
felture in the artistic entirety of the execu-
al Of Columbus discovery of the new world
and the laying of the corner stone of the
official home of the presidents of the Ameri-
can republic, the former on Oct. II, 1892,
and the latter on Oct. 13, 1892. The foun-
tain would have attachments of light and
colors by night.
The advantage of this comprehensive
plan is a symmetrical addition to the build
ing. The construction Of the Conservatives
&ba info
warmth and summer breeZes into each of
the buildings without obstruction. The
view from the windows is also unbroken.
The court affords private grounds for the
Presidents family, and on a certain day OF
the week may be thrown open to the pub
lie, with music and the fountains playing.
The cost is estimated at $500, 600
with such additional expenditures
as may be allowed for elaboration
of details, erection of terraces, and
establishment of the grounds. The stair
cases would be of marble, with onyx trim
mings. These connecting galleries are sci
apart for statuary halls, with statues Of
Lincoln and Grant as central figures The
rotundas of the stair halls of the wings are
arranged for statues of Washington anC
jackson. The entire additions might bC
completed by October, 1892, as a common
grafton of the discovery of America anC
laying of the corner stone of the origina
mansion, thus constituting suitable memo
rial OF those historic events at the nationa
capital.