The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-01-01
ON WHITE HOUSE LIFE.
Mrs. Harrison Talks About Her Expe-
risnces in Washington.

NNVNA INC AftAAtAftAAs tlAt "tttFtAAAts
Mrs. Benjamin Harrison arrived in thiI
city Monday from Washington. having
spent Sunday with Mr.. and Mrs. Ely al
Altoona en- route. Mrs. Harrison looks un
usually well, and she said 70 a Journal re-
porter. who called at the Mckee residence
yesterday morning: Il have never beer
better in my life. Sea air always agrees
with me. and my long stay at Cape May
was of great benefit TO me.n
The household cares at the white house
do not, thea. weigh heavily upon your
''No. indeed; they are but little more
than the c6res Of an ordinary household. A
woman should always be the head Of her
own house, and while at the white house
there is a steward, he comes TO me for al
orders. There is no use of talking Of my
being relieved Of the entire care
If the house, for do not want
to be. l enjoy housekeeping. and especially
the life in the white house, Here Mrs,
Harrison noticed large piece Of coral on
an adjoining table and remarked 70 Mrs.
Mckee that since she had come west a very
large piece had been sent 10 the President
'Do you still have as many presents sent
you as you did during the campaign
was asked, the incido 1t suggesting the ques
tion.
mot so many, though frequently gifts
come. People have not yet ceased % send
relics Of the campaign of 1870" This was
followed by kindly illusions to one Of the
conspicuous articles in Mr.. Mckee's draw
ing roOm-a handsomely carved mahogany
cabinet, ordered by Mrs. Mckee 10 hold the
many badges and mementoes sent TO Presi-
dent Harrison during the campaign. Mrs.
Mckee advised sending the gifts here TO
store with their other things, 50 that their
possessions upon leaving the white house
would not be SO scattered.
81 bought some odd old furniture at Nan
tucket," Mrs Harrison continued. "Nan-
tucEst is a queer old place. Items of news
are not received there through the papers,
but a crier goes through the town calling
out all matters of interest. When / went
there he cried out. Mrs. Harrison has come
to town. Mrs. Harrison has come TO town 7
And it did seem very odd to hear ones own
name cried in that way"
What was your last entertainment at
the white housep
THE luncheon and reception to the Bra
Zilians. | was assisted at the luncheon by
Mrs. Dimmiclz and Mrs. Henry Bates, JP.,
OF this city. There we're about twenty Bra
zilians, the members of the cabinet and a
few Others at the lucheon.n
How do you manage to converse with
the people of so many nationalities, or do
you attempt it at allT
Most nntionallties are represented by
men who can make you understand what
they mean, even if they cannot speak ex-
cellent English; but there is one the repre-
sentative from Italy, who has lived nine
years in Washington. and yet he cannot
speak enough English to make an American
understand him. The gentleman from
Brazil, Admiral de Silveira, who made the
presentation of the Brazilian medal, COM
memorative Of the friendly relations be-
tween the two countries, spoke in English. u
Are you not asked to join many socie-
tiesF
Eyes; have been invited to become an
honorary member of many orga izations,
but have only accepted two so far. One is
that Of honorary president Of the Johns
Hopkins Society, and the other is MEM
bership In the Daughters of the Revolu-
ton"
what are the terms necessary for one
to join the latter society, and what is it
for?n
1.-The first is, you must have had an an
cestor who took part in the war of the rev.
olution. My great-grandfather was COM
mander of forces in Pennsylvania, and in
that fact my right ties to become a member.
The society is formed for the purpose of
raising funds TO mark the places of the rev.
dictionary war and to revive history, and
also to restore some of the historical places.
The first thing, | believe, the society intends
to do is to restore the Mary Washington
tomb.
Have you done any painting since going
to Washington
~ have not done much except to keep up
my regular lessons with MIR. Putzki
painted good deal last summer at the
seashore, and also began to use water col
orsn
How about the proposed changes in the
white house?n
There is plan, drawn by Mr.. Owens,
for charging the house so it can be kept for
family purposes, and, while it will be con,
nected with the official rooms, will be sep.
arate. In case tDere should not be toe
much business and time can be given, the
matter will probably come before congress
at this session. The house mas been thor.
oughly renovated for the first time since
Mr.. Arthur's administration, and the
blue parlor has been hands omely
decorated Electricity has been put in on
the first floor, and very pretty effect ha:
been gained in the blue room at the base
Of the frieZe, the electric lights being ar
ranged in groups of two or three at inter
walls around the entire room, with the bulbs
so shaped as to look like flowers. The Of
feet is very beautiful, and electricity will
make the room much more comfortable
AOt WHICH eilcAe ID d tupllC IoCepUiou tneTe
are over 800 gas jets lighted, and it makes q
great heat"
Mrs. Mckee says she would like to go tc
Europe next year; will you go?n
mo. have no desire to cross the water
and shall die just as happy if l never go.
We expect to go California next spring,
and express myself as great many 9TH
ers dol believe person should see some
thing of their own country before going tc
EUrona y