River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1895-08-29

dition has been permitted to continue.
The executive mansion must be en-
larged, or else a new residence must be
prepared for the president in some
other locality, so that The entire white
house may be given up to the transac-
ton of public business and the proper
reception of American citizens who come
here in greater numbers every year.
Early in the year 1890, after expert
encing the Inconvenience here out
lined, President Harrison and Mrs. Har-
rison endeavored to impress upon pub
lie men the necessity of public action
in the matter, but nothing was done.
Mrs. Harrison took great interest in
the subject and talked to every body
having power and influence, urging
her views with great persistence. On
one occasion she secured an attentive
listener and one who cheerfully coin
cided with her plans, but whose in
fiuence was circumscribedb by his physic-
al condition. One evening Secretary
Blaine called to see the president on
official business, and after that had
been attended to, Mrs. Harrison, in a
casual way, mentioned the difficulties
which surrounded her. Mr.. Blaine at
once took serious view of the situation
and spoke quite earnestly of the indif-
ference which had so long been shown
towards the executive in matters of
official and personal accommodations.
He could see no way out of the dilemma
except the enlargement or extension
of the present building in accordance
with some plan in harmony with its
architectural style. This agreed with
Mrs. Harrison's views upon the sub
feet, and the estimable lady explained
i,er ideas with wonderful completeness
and detail as TO the style and arrange
Inent of the proposed extension. The
secretary Of state also gave his views,
which comprchended wing or auxilli-
arv building for the executive offices on
the west, and a similar building for the
hall of art or the east; the central his
toric structure to be rebuilt in the in
terror of durable materials, and to re-
main as the executive residence.
Greatly encouraged with this inter-
view. Mrs. Harrison then conversed with
the superintendent of public buildings,
explaining In detail the plan which she
entertained for the enlargement of the
mansion. He heartily concurred in her
views and endeavored to aid her in Gre
sting public sentiment in favor of the
proposed plans for the extension and
Improvement of the building. Mrs.
Harrison was so much in earnest that
she departed from her customary rule
of ret.cence, and. in conversation with
newspaper representative. upon the
executive mansion and its needs for the
official and domestic use % the presi-
dents in the future, which subsequent
ly took the form of published inter
view, Mrs. Harrison spoke very fully
on the subject. pointing out the 40
sence of sufficient family apartments,
the lack of privacy for the ladies of the
presidents family. want of household
conveniences and inadequate accom-
modations for the comfort of guests at
state Inequalities which the president
is REQUIRED to extend. She also gave
her ideas of how the extensions should
be made, and the uses to which they
should be applied. This interview re-
ceived wide publication and attracted
considerable attention of a feeting ma
ture.
Later IN the same year, IN order to
give permanent form to her ideas and
desires. Mrs. Harrison secured the serv