The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-09-23
THE WHITE HOUSE.


Interesting Facts About tho Old Buildipg.
Ole of the employees of the White
House, Mr.. Pendell, who has been
there for many years, tells some things
of interest about the historic building.
He says:
The term White House by which it
is now known Throughout the country
was not applied to it until after the
sandstone walls, blackened by smoke
and flames when the British set fire 10
it, were painted cleaning white in
1877.
Before the first occupant, John
Adams, had established himself in the
mansion, Congress appropristed for
furniture what was then considered the
munifcent sum Of $4,000, and the
money was made to hold out during
blC lOul lCdlS vi Ills dtIOij
When his successor, Jefferson, took
up his residence there, SI4, 900 was set
aside for the accommodation of the
household of the President, to be laid
out at his discretion, together with the
proceeds from the sale of such part Of
the furniture and equipage belonging
to the Presidents household, as may
be decayed and out of repair. Most
of this money was devoted to reiurnish
ing the house, and it was all spent in
three year.
Four years later like sum was
placed at the disposal of Madison and
the same amount was appropriated at
the beginning of his secnd term. The
burning of the mansion while he resided
there, however, necessltated Its recon-
struction, for which $40, 900 was appro-
priated in 1877, together with the pro
ceeds of the sale of TIE Old furniture.
The year following James Monroe
came into the historic old mansion
and $50, 900 more was spent in finish
ing and refurnishing it.
The regulation sum-SI4,ooo-was
again allowed when John Qaincy
Adams took possession, and IN 1896
aud 1927, $4,000 additional was appro
priated for finishing and furnishing the
East Room. The front porticn- q
Ionic pillars was added IN Jackson:
first term at cost of $4,000, and II
his second term $4,000 was spent tol
furniture and repairs. All this time
most of the furniture was brought from
London or Paris, and nearly all of i
was OF mahogany. When William H
Harrison became President The appro.
priation was cut down to $4,000, with
the stipulation that the furniture bough
should be of American manufacture
Polk and Taylor were each allowed
$4,000 for the customary alterations
but when Pierce took up his residence
there the generous sum of s25, 900 wa:
appropriated for furniture and SII, 75c
for repairs and white washing the
interior.
Buchanan spent S2o, 1000, and in hi
first term Lincoln used $4,000 on the
house. A thorough overhauling tool
place when Johnson was inaugurated
at cost of $4,000, and in 1865
$4,000 was added to complete tht
work. A like amount was expended
by Grant during his first term and
s11o,o 900 the second, exclusive of fuel
which averaged $4,000 year.
During Hayes administration So, ,oot
was spent for furniture and repairs
during the Garfield Arthur regime th'
mansion was reftted and jewelled glas
screen substituted for the old WoodeI
partition, the whole amount expended
being 81 900.
President CleYeland spent $4,000
during his first term, and Harrison
100000.
The average annual outlay is nov
S25 ,ooo for furniture and repairs ant
$4,000 for tuel. The carpets on th'
floors of the reception rooms have tt
be renewed every year, owing to tht
immense amount of wear they are sub
ject to under the feet of the public.