The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1891-05-20
At THE WHITE HOUSE.

Gowns OF AFs. Harrison and Mf8. Mckee
The American Economist says:
The White House is throughout a
curious mixture of ancient gloom and
modern gilt. and the cheek by jowl dis
position of Andrew Jackson tables and
Lucy Hayes carpets. of Lincoln wall
paper and Harrison rugs forms very
interesting if not altogether harmonious
combination. Under Mrs. Harrison's
direction the newly furnished blue room
is the most restful and artistic spot in
the big building. 1t may be of interest
to know that the entire furnishings of
this room, with two exceptions. are Of
American manufacture. The soft. dull
blue silk covering of the wall was made
in Trenton. n. j.. and the rich. elegant
fabric, which was woven to order in
Continental design, is said to have
equaled, at a lower figure. any of the
imported samples of similar fabric.
The new Wilton carpet. which is Of
the same soft hue and of velvet smooth
ness and finish, came from the Lowell
looms. In securing this carpet some
thing like an accident occurred. When
completely laid it was found that in
using two separate weavings distinct
difference of 81 'ding was discernible.
The company, On discovering the bad
effect, removed the entire carpet and
replaced it with one that is perfect in
color, quality and shading.
The pushes used in recovering tho
old gilt furniture were imported, simply
Hno <1nv n NJ
the lace curtains must, of course, be
obtained abroad. Thanks to the Nc
Kinley bill, both of these industries
will soon be established in this country.
ED. Mrs. Harrison, when informed
that new lace-making concern was
under way in New York, said if that
were true she would delay little in the
might give the new American firm a
first order. The east room has also
been furnished up to the extent of
splendid new window draperies of
dull gold and white brocade that would
''stand alone" Protection may be a
very bad thing. but when Mrs. Harrison
found that the foreign sample of a
slightly inferior quality cost 81 more a
yard than the Jersey goods, she natur-
ally gave home industry the preference.
She says after careful study of house
furnishing goods she is satisfied that
our own goods are the better and
cheaper, and that our silks especially
cannot be surpassed by foreign manu-
facturers.
Another important improvement,
made under direction of the presidents
wife, is the new tiled floor of the old
seuth porch. In place of the Clipped
and time worn sandstone of that famous
circular platform, is a new-laid floor Of
Indiana-made tiles in dull reds. blues
and whites. One now steps out from
the blue room directly upon the national
and the great shield of f.
Pluribus Unum, with it's thirteen orig
inal stars, keeps unceasing watch of
the overhanging roof and the big white
pillars. Encircling the
shield is a narrow belt of blue. in which
fOrty-twO stars form a Gordon around
the national emblem, but Wyoming and
Idaho have no place in this guard of
honor, as they are not yet officially rec
ognized upon the flag.
1t is said that young Mrs. Cleveland
has of late been shedding the luster of
her untiring smile upon American arts,
industries and institutions in general.
Unfortunately for any political bearing
this might have, the patronage is some
what tardy and recalls the fact that
every scrap of Miss FOlsom's trousseau
came from abroad. and that the only
American worklngwOmen who had
hand in the bridal outfit was the maid
hastily summoned the morning of the
to refit the Paris-made we'd
ding dress. AS usually happens that
important garment did not reach the
White House until the eleventh hour
and the initial trial was not made until
the morning of the great day. To her
and horror Miss Folsom
that the foreign gown did
not fit. An intimate lady friend was
hastily summoned, and size, together
with Mrs. Folsom and maid, proceeded
to rip and snip. and to let cut and take
in the imported creation until the lovely
bride-elect was reconciled to wearing
the garment made by the greatest
on earth.
In contrast to Mrs. Cleveland's unof-
fetal preferences. it is scarcely neces-
sary to refer to the famous inaugural
gowns of Mrs. Harrison and Mrs. Nc
Kee, both of which. the burr-oak pat
tern worn by Mrs. Harrison, and the
golden rod of Mrs. Mckee. were de-
signed by an Indiana woman, and the
rich, soft fabrics were woven in the
Auburn looms. Neither Mrs. Harrison
nor Mrs. Mckee have ever had a Paris
gown, and the entire wardrobes of both
ladies are distinctively of American
make and of home fitting.
The increasing importance of woman
could not be better illustrated than the
fac. of looking up the patriotic records
Of such as might possibly be elected to
preside alongside the future president.
The Home Market.
Why they talk about getting into the
of the world. What do you
get when you get there compared with
,~1,o< ,,O,, r,o< boroC NVo borA : nor oon<