The National tribune., 1891-01-22
THE WHITE HOUSE.
Mrs. HaFTison's Plans for RPm0delIng and ImprOT-
ing the Historic Old Ediilce-The Present Build
ing 10 be Preserved and New Wings Added.


ing the Historic Old Edilce-The Present Build
ing 10 be Preserved and New Wings Added.
1t would be going little too far, perhaps 10
denounce the Executive Mansion as whited
sepulcher" but the temptation becomes rather
strong as one gets acquainted with the build
ing. Externally il is one Of the most beautiful
buildings in the whole world. Its design is ar
tisiic and impressive. OF the many public
buildings in Washington there are but three for
which every sight-seer has nothing but admi-
ration. These are the Capitol, the Treasury.
and the White House. But, fair 10 look upon
as the latter is from the outside, it is inside
ful OF cheapness tawdriness and sanitary
denominations. 1t was built in the day of cheap
make-believes in the architecture Of this
countTy-when men built for offices and houses
copies of the old marble temples of Greece, with
the pure white stone initiated in boards and
lath-and- plaster. The far-lamed Arlington,
the residence Of the Lees, is Of this character.
Several miles away il looks like n stately
Grecian temple, and presents that appearance
when seen from the Washington side Of the
Potomac. But when one gets upon the grounds,
close 10 the building, it is found to be an i'm
mense sham, with the grand columns and
portico made OF cheap brick, plank, plaster aud
whitewash. The builders Of the White House
had the sense TO make the walls and columns OF
good, honest stone, though il is necessary TO
paint them frequently, in order 10 keep up the
glistening whiteness But inside the floors and
the woodwork are hopelessly cheap aud rough.
The main stairway is Of some dark wood
cherry or black walnut-With cheap, tawdry
decoration, such as one sees in old-fashioned
farmh0uses No amount OF paint or varnish
could redeem its cOmmOnness. In the Summer,
when the carpets are taken up, the stairs and
floors look disgracefully shabby.
Then, many Of the timbers have dry rotted
until they are little better than sawdust, the
IF
it's plumbing is frightfully defective, aud it is
a harbor for countless rats, from whom nothing
IN the house is safe, not even the food in the
kitchen while il is being prepared for the
table.
Finally, the house is not nearly large enough
for its double duty as Presidential office and
residence.
All this is an old story. Every occupant OF
the mansion has complained Of It's discomforts
and defects, aud from time 10 time makeshift
improvements have been made TO get rid Of the
worst OF them.
Architects who have been consulted have
given the opinion that the only way 10 make a
lifting residence for the head Of the Nation was
% tear the old building down. even TO the last
stone in the foundations, aud replace il with
an entirely new one. But National sentiment
is strongly opposed 10 destroying an edilce so
rich IN historical associations. Another plan,
which has found much favor in the eyes Of
Teal-cstate operators, has been to build another
residence for the President in some eligible
locality, such As the hill at the head Of 10th
street, and make the White House into az Ex-
ecutiye Office simply. IL this conld be done it
would be an immense boom for the real estate
in the neighborhood Of the site chosen for the
Presidential Mansion. But there arc strong
reasons why the Presidents house aud Office
should be together. lie can not have Office
hours, like other officials, but must be always
readily accessible 10 the members Of the Cabi-
net and other high officials, and have his own
immediate staff within easy call.
To Mrs. Harrison belongs the credit Of being
the brst 10 suggest practical way Of meeting,
the requirements Of improving the building,
which has met with general approval. Ia the
first place, she started in a thorough. practical
way TO do the best she could with the limited
amount Of money at her disposal She found
that the practice had been when a floor began
10 show signs Of giving way was to lay another
floor over IL, so that ia the kitchen especially
there were several layers Of dccaying aud reek-
ing boards. She had these all torn out aud
replaced by clean. wholesome tiles, laid in
cement, which settles the rat question for that
part Of the house. In the plumbing she found
that there had been the same mal,cshiitiness
None Of 10 was up 10 modern requirements. aud
where there bad been a change in the last 30
years the old pipes had been left in their places,
aud new ones run alongside Of them. Whatever
plumbing she has had put in is Of the best
snaiity. She has had the East aud Blue
Rooms redecorated and refuFnshed in a very
artistic manner, and then had 10 stop for lack
OF funds. But she has formulated a plan for
preserving the historic building, aud yet ex-
tending II, which peases architects AS well AS
the general public. lt is to convert the present
building into the Presidents private residence,
tearing out the interior aud remOdeling il ae-
cOrding 10 the best modern ideas. Then on
the east she would erect wing to be used as
the Executive Office. On the west would be
another wing, 10 give the building symmetry,
which should be used ~ picture gallery, aud
| for historical and art relies. Both these wings
are 10 harmonic with the general design Of the
/ White House and be connected with il by col.
louades and halls. On the south front is 10 be a
| great ir0n-aud glass conservatory. The esti.
mated cost OF the whole is S9J0.UO0 Senator
! Stamford has introduced a bill 10 carry out
this design, and lay the. cornerstone on the
4OOth anniversary Of the discovery Of America.