Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1890-07-10

Mrs. PRESIDENT HARRISON has finally
knowingly and willingly placed herself
before the public by talking for them
through n reporter for the New York
Press. The interview was granted at
Cape May and the subjects principally
discussed were the newspaper reports OF
their private and family affairs, and
the acceptance of a cottage at Cape May
by the president.
Her explanation of the latter is unique
and she certainly goes considerable dis
tancc out of her way to make sighting
remark of President Cleveland which is
wholly uncalled for and which does not
help her in the least. She said:
Last year the President thought best
to rent cottage at Deer Park. This
ment Of congress, the session possibly ex-
tending into early autumn, necessitated
the selection Of a nearer point to the cap
ital. There have been suggestions from
various sources about the president pur-
chasing summer home in the suburbs OF
Washington. which, at the end of his Off
cial term, might be sold at considerable
advance. We have had an example OF
this, but the president will not use his
official rank as means of making mon
ey, even to the extent of purchasing a
home for his summer use and selling it
when he retires from Office. The president
has decided scruplcs about that. The
commissioners Of the District of Colum-
bia. his own appointees, would doubt
less feel disposed to make improvements
in that direction which would still further
give the transaction the appearance Of a
deliberate money-making scheme.
Following this indelicate shot she ex-
plains the reasons for the acceptance of
the Cape May cottage.
"The question which then presented it.
self" says the first lady. was as to what
plans we should make for the summer.
The children could not possibly remain in
the executive mansion through the warm
weather. The youngest grandchild, who
was at that age when children are most
afflicted with the ills Of infancy, was not
we'll. There were several very kind invi-
tations from friends who had homes in
healthy localities within few hours OF
the capital, but it seemed best for the
children to locate for the summer months
at one place. 1t happened, while we were
considering what plans 1t would bc best
to make, that l was surprised by the gift
Of this beautiful cottage, fully equipped
and ready for our occupation. Its accept
ancc seemed to ME to be the best which
could be done. None of the gentle
men concerned could have any object other
than the courtesy Of making us comfort.
able. As far as their names are known,
none Of them seek office. II does not in.
volvc the president in any money making
for his personal benefit. How others may
be benefited does not concern us. II our
presence at Cape May Point will bc a
benefit to any persons they are welcome
to it. II is n beautiful place, retired and
pleasant, and think will bc benefit in
health to those who are near and dear to
u.s."
So this then is the reason why the
President has put himself in the light OF
bribc takcr. First his scruples would
not permit of his going into the open
market to buy house in Washington
like an honest man and second he did not
know just where to go when the cottage
was offered and so he accepted. The cx.
PLANTATION is very flimsy. If President
Harrison did not want to use his Official
positionto boom land for himself, it both
ers us to know just how he satisfied that
conscience when he became n party to
booming the land Of the Cape May i'm
provcment company. The reasons as set
forth by his wife do not hold water.
No matter what might have beer
thought Of President Harrison certainl,
there has been no American who has no,
heretofore stood ready to do honor te
the first lady Of the land. Now It vii
not be long before she is the laughing
stock Of the entire country II she talk,
any more nonsense like the above to tn,
press.
The echeutzenfcst Ended.