Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-03-05
Eiu.h W. H.isors .. sh. Whit ns.ss ss
the Tature.


IFrom Our Washington Car<spoatsntl
In the executive mansion of hundred
years hsnce." said President HArrison's
private secretary. Elijah W. Halford. Il
think can zee the present building as the
central part There Il no doubt that this
building viii soon have 10 be eniargel
There is not room enough Ia IL for the FAM
ily ard the Office Of the president and for
the social entertainments or public levees
which tradition requires the president To
give But do not think the people Will
ever consent 10 the destruction of this
house Too many memories cling about IL.
too many II the great men aud erat events
Of the country's history have been associ-
sted with IL.
''Since have been here have often won
dcred at the skill with which our forefa-
theirs built this mansion. A hnndret Years
have passed fince It's foundations were
started the cornerstone Of the White
House was laid n century ago tho 18th day
Of October-and 1t IL a good. seryic.able
and comfortable house still rs only def
cheney IL In the ma,ter Of room IL is state
~, elegant, impressive Ia it, enlargement
think some such plan az that suggested
BY the late Mrs. Harrison viii be followed
preservation of the present structure and
throwing out Of wings on either side That
would give room for the living apartments
Of the presidents family, for the public
Offices and for the ceremonial or social fano-
tions which must take place ia the presi-
dents house.
THE White House Of the future will.
therefore, IN my opinion, be simply the
White House of the present enlarged do
lot believe IL will ever be found Desirable
Co separate the presidents residence from
his Office. Ny four years experience here
las convinced me. moreover. that In tho
Ihture the private secretary 20 the presi-
Dent and his family should also he provided
with living apartments In the executive
mansion The president Of the United
etates finds IL necessary 10 work nearly all
the time. and when be works he wants his
private SECRETARY close ut hand Thus means
the night well IS the day.
Probably more than half the evenings
Of the last four years ] have spent IN my
Office. busy either with my own work or
standing ready 10 assist the president. To
do this have had 90 leave my own home
night after night. often at much inconvea-
icnoe. The private secretary should have
his home tn part u tho executive man
sion set apart for his use. and this nocesaity
should be recognized In the enlargement os
the house aud should be made part Of the
law under which the mansion IL re ereatsd.
"A hundred years hence think the prtsi-
dent OF the United States will have much
less work upon bis hands than be has now
though the country will be twice a. great
and the government oorre~ponoingly larger.
for long before that time presidents viii
cease Go give personal consideration 70 =
myriad II matters which now consume
their time and their energies The presi-
dent Of the future viii not, Ia my opinion.
pay any attention 10 minor appointments.
Every government post. aside from cab
incs ministers. foreisn ministers and few
bureau officers and perhaps a score or - q
the uiost important administrative cfiiee~.
will bc Oiled by heads Of departments with
out 80 much - consultation with the presi-
dent. Under the present syrtsm four-tlfths
81 the presidents time IL taken with thee
minor appointments lie Is pcrpiexed. an
royed, worn cat by them Hls energies are
- ssppct that It l. only BY tremendous
sscrillcc Of oomfprt and strength thai be is
able 90 give thought and study 10 the i'm
porssaf and serious matters 81 state de
mnnding his attention
Mr.. Blaine eaid TO me a year or two AGO
that be believed the day IVES ~oon contsng
whea president would not pcsmlt Lin~ 4
10 be bothered about postmaster aud oh
iaofo~ ard coassls any more than a rail
way president would spe1d his time hiring
bEaksnsn aud srsck rciairer Ny Oh
e~rvssios fn the White liou~e h>s hem that
some such chaias-r IN administrative faeth-
cis IL not only dessrnbls. absolutely
r&xo~xxarv Ar, tie r~esr future -