The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-02-19

THE PRESIDENTS PRIVATE ROME.
Representative Anderson, Of Kansas.
has introduced a bill in the House APP
propriating $3.50, 600 for the copstruc-
ton OF purchase Of another residence
for the President Of the United States,
in the limits Of the District Of Column
bia. Under the terms Of this bill. il is
proposed to place at the disposal q the
national Executive, residence adap-
ted to the accommodation Of himself
and his family, not only during the
months of summer, but also OF winter.
This would virtually mean its psrma-
nent occupation by the Chief Magistrate
and the members Of bis household, as
home during the period Of his term of
office, the White House to be used
merely for cabinet meetings, public re-
ceptions. State dinners and audiences
to public officials.
That so radical departure as this
should be made in the daily life Of the
Executive is, we are inclined to believe.
decidedly opposed to The wishes Of a
large majority Of the American people.
There are no very forcible reasons to be
oTeredin favor Of the purchase or eTec-
ton even of a summer residence for the
President, as he has the same oppor-
tunities as the members Of his own
official family, not to speak Of all pri-
vato citizens actively engaged m
business, TO seek the rest and
change which he needs. All the
Chief Executives, including Harrison
himself, have taken numerous pleasure
trips as 8 means Of diversion from the
cares Of office. Lincoln, who was prob
ably the most over-burdened Of all the
Presidents, spent a considerable part OF
each summer during bis tenure of
Office at the Soldiers Home. near Wash
ington. General Grant found the re-
creation he required at the same season
of the year, at Long Branch. Cleveland
purchased a summer residence near
Washington, but returned to the White
Honse as soon as the warm season had
passed.
So far as can be seen. there are no
reasons of importance to justify tbe
erection Of permanent residence for
the President. He is the servant OF the
people, and when he enters upon bis
official duties. he cannot expect to enjoy
the undistuibed private life to which hc
has been accustomed as a private Citi-
zen. The White House IT. identified in
the minds Of every American not only
with the official, but also with the
social life of the Chief Magis-
tiats, and to make it simply an official
building to be occupied only for few
hours az a time, and for special purposes.
would be justly considered serious
departure from an important national
custom and a still more important So
cial tradition. The President should be-
whore he can be approached ateny time
and by every citizen. He should not
have the power to withdraw himself 1T
his own voltion into a retirement that
is unbecomipg the great office he holds.
samOunts almost tOacrime
in the chief magistrate OF government
founded upon the general principles
upon which this government rests, and
as certainly as the chief magistrate is
granted a private residence in addition
to a public, the spirit Of exclusiveness
will enter more and more into the Prcsi-
Dental Office.
1t seems most appropriate that This
proposition 10 furnish the President
with private residence should orig
mate not only with the Republican
party, a party inherently opposed 10
true democracy OF principle and COM
duct, but also during the adminisra-
tion of chief magistrate who has
succeeded even in the White House. in
throwing such an atmosphere Of ex-
clusiyensss around his life as to leave
us undecided 81 TO whether we are
living in the reigs Of Benjamin the
First, or are merely inflicted with a
President who is compelled to conceal
his general impotence under veil Of
reticence and reserve.
The reference which the Rev. Joseph
Cook made to Henry W. Grady in bis
lecture in Boston on Monday was that
of an ignorant fanatic, and there ia
evsry reason 70 holieve that il was con-