The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1893-08-18
miscellaneous.
THE WHITE HOUSE.
WHAT THE PRESIDENTS OFFICIAL
RESIDENCE HAS COST.


Year Have Reached Total of Sc, 1884,
OOO-How the Annual Sum For Its Main
tenance Has Grown.
Seventy-fve years ago the White House
grounds presented n most unattractive ap-
pearance, without grass or shrubbery. They
extended over the greater part of the area
now occupied by the treasury and the state,
war and navy departments. The land on
which the treasury now stands was then
used as the White House vegetable garden,
while the orchard was on the site now oc-
cupied by the state, war and navy depart
ments.
The lot back of the mansion was used for
a pasture, as in those days there were usu-
ally four or five COWS attached to the White
House. Under the front portico was a
dairy supplied with water brought by an
inch pipe from spring in Franklin park,
several squares distant, and this dairy was
the pride of more than one mistress of the
White House in the days when the presi-
dent himself did the marketing and the
cooking was under the personal supervision
of the presidents wife.
In striking contrast to those primitive
times is the present regime, whia6 relieves
the first lady of the land of all housekeep-
ing cares and leaves her free to meet her
numerous social obligations.
The entire cost of the White House up to
the present time has been s., 332, 900. Nine
hundred and thirty thousand dollars of this
amount has been expended in finishing,
furnishing and carpeting the mansion since
1877. Since 1907 s762, 900 has been spent in
repairing it, and since 1918 S373, 900 in i'm
fl,a ,Jc
Notwithstanding the fact it has cost
over S2,0OO,0O0, the capacity is singularly
inadequate for the uses required of it. 1t
is capable really only of comfortable &C
commodations for the presidents office
rooms and apartments for social recep-
tions.
There are but five bedrooms, a dining
room, sitting room and the "red parlorn
for the use of the family. The other pub
lie reception rooms and state dining room
could, of course be used by the presidents
household, but they are too large and
grand to offer many attractions to quiet
family.
The repainting of the White House is
not an inconsderable item of the yearly
repairs. Enough white paint, it is said,
has been laid on the portico pillars to
double their present diameter, and the out
side walls would likewise have gained
several feet if the old paint had not first
been removed.
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 to it, were painted
a cleaning white in 1877.
Before the first occupant, John Adams,
had established himself in the mansion
congress appropriated for furniture what
was then considered the munificent sum of
SIS, 900, and this money was made to hold
out during the four years of his admins
tration.
When his successor, Jefferson, took up
his residence there, S14, 900 was set aside
"for the accommodation of the household
of the president, to be laid out at his dis
cretion and under his direction, together
with the proceeds from the sale of such
part of the furniture and equipage belong
ing to the presidents household as may be
decayed and out of repair" Most of this
money was devoted to refurnishing the
house, and it was all spent in three years.
Four years later a like sum was placed at
the disposal of Madison, and the same
amount was appropriated at the beginning
of his second term.
The burning of the mansion while he re-
sided there, however, necessitated its re-
construction, for which $4,000 was appro-
priated in 1917, together with the proceeds
of the sale of the old furniture. The year
following James Monroe came into the his
toric old mansion, and $4,000 more was
spent in finishing and refurnishing it,
The regulation Sum-S14, O00-waS again
II I'll. A L
possession, and in 1896 and 1927 st, 900 addi-
tional was appropriated for finishing and
furnishing the east room.
The front portico of Ionic pillars was
added in Jackson's first term at a cost of
$4,000, and in his second + r.n $26,0G0 was
spent for furniture. Van Buren was voted
$4,000 for furniture and repairs. All this
time most of the furniture was brought
from London or Paris and nearly all of it
was of mahogany. When William II. Har-
rison became president, the appropriation
was cut down to $4,000, with the stipula-
ton that the furniture bought should be
of American manufacture.
Polk and Taylor were each allowed S14,-
900 for the customary alterations, but when
Pierce took up his residence in the White
House the generous sum of So, 900 was ap-
propriated for furniture and S11, $50 for re-
pairs and embarrassing" the interior.
Buchanan spent $4,000, and in his term
Lincoln used $4,000 on the house. A
thorough overhauling took place when
johnson was inaugurated, at cost of $780,
900, and in 1865 and 1866 $50, 900 was added
to complete the work. A like amount was
expended by Grant during his first term,
and $4,000 the second, exclusive of fuel,
which averaged So 600 year.
During Hayes administration 50, 900 was
spent for furniture and repairs, and during
the Garfield-Arthur regime the mansion
was refitted and the jeweled glass screen
substituted for the old wooden partition.
the whole amount expended being $4,000.
President Cleveland spent S4, 900 during
his first term, and Harrison $685.
The average annual outlay is now $4,000
for furniture and repairs and So, 600 for fuel.
The carpets on the floors of the reception
rooms have to be renewed every year, owing
to the immense amount of wear they are