The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-03-24
GOSSIP FROM TIE CAPITAL.
a Plan to Put the White Bouse At
teudants Into Uniforms.

From the Ne5o York Times.
WASHINGTON, March 20.-About ths
most exciting bit of news a1oat this week
is that in regard to the movement on foot
to uniform the doorkeepers and attendants
at the white house. The Presidents private
secretary is strongly in favor Of this move
and advocates its speedy adoption. The
object is solely TO secure official appearance
and will prove of the greatest benefit TO the
crowd Of strangers SO continuously In " ash
ingtOn bent upon sightseeing
As IL now Is, when a stranger enters the
white house doors he must either follow the
crowd in solemn silence through the east
room and other apartments, picking up such
stray atoms Of information as may b. OVER
heard, or else leave the executive mansion
as ignorant Of the many things on which be
desired information as when he entered the
doors. The reason Of this is not because Of
any lack Of Willingness on the part Of the
attendants to give the desired information,
but simply because il is next TO impossible
for strangers TO tell which are the doorkeep-
ers. II uniform manner of dressing was
adopted the difficulty would be at once over
come, the strangers would know at glance
TO whom they could apply, and the dignity
Of the dOorkeepers would not be comprO-
missed. The uniform contemplated is simply
dark blue or green cloth, which, while in
conspicuous. amply serves the purpose for
which It is intended.
Prior attempts to uniform the white house
force have boea abandoned for fear Of ad-
verse public opinion. Now, however, the
time has arrived when the need for such
action hes been so abundantly shown thatit
is proper to have it settled without further
delay. Mrs Blaine has been for years
strongly in favor Of uniforming the white
house attendants, and at the outset Of the
last administration did not hesitate TO
openly advocate her views on the matter,
which were somewhat different and on q
more extensive scale than those already de
tailed. Her reason for desiring the change
In apparel Of the doorkeePeTs was that the
present lack of style would thus be obviated
and the foreigner would be more properly
impressed upon entering the mansion Sc
lected as the residence Of the head Of this
great nation. The uniform advocated by
Mrs. Blaine was dark blue broadcIoth with
steel buttons and best of buff, or such other
contrasting color as might eventually be
determined upon. For the footmen and
coachmen a livery of dark blue with top
boots and other usual accessories, was pro-
posed.
Mrs. Bissell returned TO the city few
days ago and Is now with the Postmaster
General at the Arlington, where she will
probably remain some weeks. She has been
enjoying the sensation OF driving about the
city noting the wonderful changes wrought
here within the last fifteen years, for this is
by no means her first residence in Washing
ton. In her childhood she lived for u num-
Der Of years on l., between Fourteenth and
Fifteenth streets with her father, who at
that time was IA rich man and lived in good
style. II was after the loss Of their money
that Mrs. Bissell went abroad to study, first
in Germany and then in Paris, for the
operatic stage. Her non-success in filing
20 the satisfaction of her managers the role
OF prima donna upon her return to this
country was a failure in which she had
reason to rejoice, as it brought her the
great happiness of her life. After the
debut in Buffalo. when the young girl found
the compass Of her fine voice UNEQUAL to the
exactions Of operate work, she received
and accepted from Mr.. SicRrd of the firm of
Cleveland, Bissell & Sicsrd an offer to make
Ter home in his family in order TO take
charge OF the musical education Of his chill
dren. 1t was then for the first time that she
met Mr.. Blssell.
Representative and Mrs. Bellamy Storer,
who Tor two years have occupied the house
on massachusetts avenue adjoining the
residence of Gen. and Mrs. Arson g. Nc
Cook, have leased aud will shortly occupy
the house corner of Rhode Island avenue
and Seventeenth street. For a number of
years the latter house was occupied by
Senator Germans family.
Mr. Ye Cha Yum, the Cor, 40 minister,
will make a trip to his native country dur
ing the summer to visit his wife and baby
daughter, who will accompany him upon
bis return TO America in the autumn.