The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-03-04
CAPITAL CHAT.
What Shall We Do With Our
Ex-Presidents 2

A Suggestion That They he Maes sena
tors For e-President CIeveIand's Lat
est RuIe-Fine Compliments For MrS
Cieveiand-An Incident.
WASHINGTON, March 2.-[Special l.
There has been great deal Of talk here
this winter among men Of both parties
about constitutional amendment extend
ing the presidential term to six years, max
ing the president ineligible to re election
and making all ex presidents senators for
life. Quite a number of prominent men
are In favor OF this plan, though some Of
them do not go so far as 10 indorse the
Idea Of making ex-presidents life senators.
That feature of the proposed innovation is
varously viewed. In the affirmative 10
tho notion that II would solve tho question
what to do with our ox-presidents by af.
fording them a subsequent career Of great
dignity and usefulness. 1t is argued that
their service In the senate would be of In.
estimable value to the country on account
of their experience with all public affairs,
and their ability TO explain better than
any one else could do just what had been
done in certain matters. IL this should
be a subject pertaining TO our foreign rela-
tions and seoresy were required, the life
senator could reveal In executive session
what had taken place while he was presi.
dent.
A Suggestion Only.
Tho opponents Of tho idea say there
might come time when we should have
five or six Of these life senators in service
at one time thus disturbing the equilb-
rum between parties or giving the life
senators balance of power between parties
"a n pNp H.
jootions are that an ex-president Of the
United States sitting on the floor OF the
senate would be the constant object Of at
tack on questions OF history and policy,
and that his party would be kept busy de-
Tending him. In this way it might easily
bc led into difficulties which 1t could avoid
but for the presence of its titular leader
on the floor In such instances il Is easy
to sec an ex-president would be at de-
cided disadvantage. Though no longer an
actual leader of his party, perhaps, and
with new men pressing TO the front TO
take power from his hands, he would still
be put on the defensive. IL his party do
clined 10 support him, he would be in
peculiar position and not a very pleasant
one. From tho spectacular point Of view
10 would be very interesting TO have Gen.
oral Harrison and Mr.. Cleveland sitting
on the floor of tho senate, So that Mr.. Vest
might quiz one aud Mr.. Chandler the 9TH
or.
Mrs. Cleveinnd's Skill.
President Cleveland submits ell his
messages to congress and other important
public documents 10 Mrs. Cleveland for
critical examination before sending them
out TO tho world. The president has much
admiration for his wifo's literary skill,
which is known TO bo considerable. More
- lie exxhf oh h..oc EFT
the world was polished up by Mrs. Cleve-
lands hand after the president had fin
ished with IL. Mrs. Cleveland is particu-
iarly strong i'm choice of words, and In this
respect alono has been very helpful to her
husband, who, in tho nature OF things, is
too busy TO be much OF student.
Mrs. Cleveland, by tho way, is said by
her intimate friends TO be one of the most
devoted mothers in the land. Notwith-
standing all the cares OF society and the
glitter Of fashionable lifc, Mrs. Cleveland
Is never so happy ns WIN taking care of
her babies. One of the ladies of the cabi-
net tells mo she has frequently found Mrs.
Cleveland, on calling at the White House.
engaged washing and dressing her infant,
task which, with woman's true in
stinct she is exceedingly fond OF perform
ing with her own hands. Though there
are of course plenty of maids and nurses
90 attend TO such household details, Mrs
Cleveland washes and dresses baby every
morning herself.
President Cleveland has been so much
pressed for time this winter in which TO
attend TO the multifarious duties of his
ciilce that he has requested his cabinet
Officers not to bring any more callers 10
see him. Heretofore the members OF the
cabinet have been in tho habit of taking
f.f
over 10 the White House TO see the presi-
dent as a mark of favor OF course they
were instantly shown into the presidents
room, thus keeping other callers waiting
and perhaps disarranging the presidents
plans. Mr.. Cleveland now insists that
this practice shall bo discontinued, and
that every one who wishes TO see him shall
arrange for an audi q with his private
secretary, thus making the most cconom-
ical use OF tho time that Is possible.
Personal Gossip.
During the past winter an unusually
large number OF prominent mon from the
north have spent tho cold months in
Washington. They find here n fairly mod
erato climate and good hotels, charming
society, good newspapers and theaters and
many other advantages which they are
forced 20 sacrifice IL they go to the more
southern resorts. Business mon like TO be
in touch with their affairs by quick let
ters or telegraph and 10 bo within easy
travel In case their presence at home
should be suddenly needed Washington,
therefore, affords them convenient half
way housa between their northern homes
and Florida. George Westinghouse, the
famous inventor Of Plttsburg, has had his
family Ia Washington all winter and has
himself como hero every Saturday night
for the purpose OF spending Sunday with
his wife. Mr.. Scarlos OF the Sugar Rein
ing company and many othor prominent
New Yorkcrs have dono the same thing.
The Washington hotels have been crowded
Go thoir fvll capacity oil winter.
a very pretty story of Mrs Cleveland
cov,,o q, my oara fodnv Txvo xrccla aoo