Evening journal., 1895-03-30
AN OFFICIAL PROMENADE
The President Takes His First
Walk Abroad This Term.
ALL HIS CABINET WENT WITH HIM.

They Walked From the White House to
Secretary Herbert's Residence. Where
Southern Luncheon was Given In Honor
Of Mr.. Bissell. Who Is About to Retire.
WASHINGTON, March 80 - President
Cleveland made his only public appear
ance on the streets Of Washington on Fri
day rs pedestrian since his first term,
when he occasionally WIS seen walking
around the grounds In the vicinity Of the
White House He not only surprised a
great many when he passed. In his stroll Of
six squares, accompanied by his entire
cabinet, but the patrol Of six policemen
who stand guard around tho entrance
ga1ed breathloss at the sight Of the presi
dent heading the party and marching it by
tyos across TO the state, war and navy
departments. and thence uigler one Of the
great arches. through to sailding and on
to tho street. whore he continued his
course duo west until Secretary Herbert's
house, the objective point Of tho excursion,
was reached
The Friday meeting Hf the cabinet was
purposely adjourned an hour early in or
der to start the expedition on time. The
occasion leading to the outdoor appearance
was luncheon given by Mr.. Herbert in
honor Of Postmaster General Bissell, who
rotires from the cabinet next week.
Southern Lunch.
| Early this week the secretary told the
| president and his brother cabinet officers
1 Of a little treat In store for them in tho
1 form Of a typical southern lunch, cooked
1 by the seoretary's old Alabama cook and
i consisting Of dishes which none but a ne
/ gro could prepare TO a turn. The invita-
/ ton was promptly accepted, and Friday.
1 immediately after the cabinet session. was
4 fixed for tho time. Private Secretary
/ Thurber was taken into confidence and
told TO keep mum AS 60 the destination OF
the distinguished party when 1t left the
White House
Mrs Cleveland at the same time deter
mined Go honor Mrs Bissoll by lunch
con, when she might say goodby to the la
dies Of tho cabinet
Secretary Herbert made elaborate prep
arntions for his guests, and the party was
60 be without ladies. Shortly after
O'Clock, just tho hour when hundreds of
government clerks and officials Of the
state war and navy building and OF the
treasury department., only square away,
had returned TO their desks from a half
hours breathing spell, the strange thing
happened that has started the town discus
sing the sudden departure Of the president
in taking to walking. The hour had been
carefully selected. when there would be
but few people TO ouriously observe the
| pedestrians
With much ceremony the great swing
ing doors Of the White House were thrown
open by two stalwart policemen, who
could not account for the presidents ac-
tion IN starting out when 1t was known
no carriage was waiting under the porte
cocherc. They asked no questions and ST.
I, lenlly watched the party.
The president came first, dressed in a
, lena sfr1uk naai. silk hat. 9nd tan gloyus.
He walked along at the head Of a single
file Of twos. composed Of his cabinet II
they had boon formed by military man,
the line could not have been more aocu-
rate. Instead Of falling in BY height the
cabinet brought up the presidents rear
d IN the order OF their rank, Secretary Nor
! ton and retiring Postmaster General Bis
{ Sci IN the rear files. With locked arms the
b party proceeded ON a course heading due
= west for the navy department., distant one
S square.
Three policemen along the asphalt pave
= ment stood at attention and lifted their
hats as the president and cabinet passed
along. Not 90 feet had been covered, how
| ever, when some clerk in the department
spied the strange sight and instantly oom-
/ nunicatcd the fact to hundreds near by
b 1 that the president was approaching. Hun
/ dreds OF faces were at the windows at once
8 and closely inspected the passing show.
Government Clerks Interested.
The direction at first taken indicated
that 1t was possible that the state depart
ment was the objective point, and mum
4 Der Of reporters at once concluded thai
some important conference was TO be helf
in the secretary Of states Office. This soof
proved to be erroneous, for tho party helt
its course and entered the long court which
J. divides the great building and proceeded
N on to Seventeenth street, executed tlanb
y movement 60 G street, and thence on th'
!, I president led the way To Twenty first an,
}, q streets, where the secretary's S house wa
}. reached
I, Along the route were few curious pass
!. ors BY, who looked on in astOnishment
is They had never before seen the presiden
t. walk except from the door Of the Whit
House to his carriage. His step was no
10 ticed TO be vigorous and without effort
,f lie apparently enjoyed the novelty Of tn
r. experience, and at 3 o'clock, when th
,e luncheon was over, returned by the sam
route and accompanied by his full officia
staff
During the entire journey the party wa
y unaccompanied by single policeman
n The president marshaled his forces an
% kept the party well in line. The luncheon
was the first attended by the president out
side Of the White House since he came int
Office. "