The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-11-02
PRESIDENTS WIVES.
Different Views of Different Mis-.
tresSeS of the White House.

Mrs. James a. Garfield never got into
harmony with the ostentation, excitement
and vulgarity of public life. She is a woman
of innate refinement, very domestic in her
tastes, and the presumptons Of the public
grated on her She could not reconcile her
self to the privileges assumed by agents
representing Photographic and advertising
companies, business firms, newspapers. art
lists and charitable, industrial and social or
CARNATIONS. and when she sent down word
that she did net wish to become an adver-
Using medium, that she did not want TO be
photographed, painted, interviewed or en-
tertained, and that she begged to decline the
testimonial OF the club to which she was a
stranger, she was most severely and cruelty
assaied by message, letter and paragraph.
LII all her public life she did not receive
ten reporters, says the New York World.
Scores applied to her for audience, and very
often poverty was offered as plea for the
coveted interview. To these impOrtunators
she frequently sent sealed envelope con-
taining bill and a please excuse me
from newspaper comment" written on the
back Of her visiting card. She used to say
that she =" felt like n baby elephant" every
time she received with the President. While
fully recognizing her obligations as the wife
of the Chief Magistrate. she argued at home
and among her friends that she was not Il
politician, was not in office, and in no way
compelled to make an exhibition OF herself,
her home and her children. There was no
time between the election and burial of her
husband when she would not have gladly
paid the newspaper writer's and artists to
decline the work assigned them.
These very sentiments are entertained by
Mrs. Harrison, who breads publicity. suffers
from the demands made upon her by stran-
gers and shrinks from the ordeal of hand
shak ing, committees aud delegates bearing
testimonials, resolutions or documents re-
curing her approval. Last winter, while
member Of Mrs. Wanamaker's Delsarte
class, she entered the drawing-room just as
Mrs Russell was showing the Wanamaker
girls now to bow. There was the little bow
of the bead which would suffice tor an en-
ploye in the depot there was the warmer
saiutation, with an advancing OF the chest.
for the formal caller: there was still more
cordial salute. accompanied by responsive
movement of the head and torso, and finally
the low, grand, sweeping bow from the head
to the ankles, expressive of great respect,
such as the Queen is accustomed 10 receive.
Mr.. Harrison listened with undivided at
tention, and when the lesson was ended
asked to be presented to Mrs. Russell. and
during the conversation that ensned talked
very freely tn the New York R>thete. She
referred to the Grand Army reception when
she carried fan and bouquet, so as to have
ample excuse for not shaking hands, and to
which innovation the Logan division took
such violent offense.
81 was sorry" Mrs. Harrison said. :"
did not mean to show an indispostion 20
kindness or courtesy, but it was physical
impossibility for me to extend my hand.
Had | been permitted to shake hands it
would have been different but to have
others do it was more than my strength was
equal to-"
Mrs. Harrison is very frank on the subject,
and while disposed to be pleasant and
gracious refuses to manifest Tor strangers
the cordially that only her friends are ell
titled to. The approach Of stalwart from
the mud lakes and prairies of the Scioto, Des
MoineS and Kansas rivers, with beanlng
face and open hand, gives her chill. the
discomfort of which is increased by the
vigorous tanning necessary TO the safety Of
her wrist This aversion of the first lady 10
cross hands with the grasping multitude
VIII be the means of amending the etiquette
of the reception and drawing rooms OF Wash
lneton. if not the United States
During her residence in the White House
Mrs. Cleveland stood up in all the beauty of
her young womanhood and bravely shook
hands with the mighty public until she had
to take her rings and gloves Oft, until her
fingers were swollen, her arm was lame and
her hand was like putt ball. After every
reception her maid had solution ready TO
battle her dislocated members, and it was
often necessary to rip her sleeve up in order
to get it off.
This girl bride liked the public, and the af-
lection was returned. She was gracious,
oblieing aud induIgent to a degree, but i'm.
pertinenee was met by revolt. She sent TO
Paris for her clothes because she was too
we'll known in Washington, Albany and
New York to buy them at home. When she
wanted shoes, bonnets or gloves an order
was sent TO her dress-maker, who purchased
them in her own name.
Mrs. General Grant has not one adverse
criticism to pass on the great unwashed.
She admits that she cried like baby the
day she left the White House. A special
Rod tha H., ri 70
York, but she says, Il watercd the journey
with my tears.
THE General stood between me aud any
ammo yances that might have occurred, but
| was very happy; my life was eight years
Of bliss and one round OF pleasure"