Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-12-04
Rather Tough, But Just.

lldl lltlt dIt SDIIit buSlIltSS 1lltll
who are not influenced by position OF
caste is shown by the action of a
Washington drygoods house, a few
days ago, i'll refusing credit to Mrs
Cleveland
An account of the occurrences, as
given by the press, is as follows:
The remarkable spectacle of great
dry goods firm refusing credit to the
mistress of the White House was
witnessed by throng of shopper,
several days age The affair has thus
far been kept out of the papers, though
it was whispered around among the
friends of the people who were
gathered about the counter at the
time.
The incident occurred in one of the
stores on Pennsylvania avenue. While
the usual crowdj of bargain-seekers
were making their purchase the presi-
dents carriage drew up in front of the
establishment. Mrs. Cleveland's maid
alighted and went inside. Stepping
toward the counter where children's
dress goods were displayed she looked
over the goods. Then, selecting
several dress patterns, she handed the
clerk a note bearing the engraved in
scription, Executive Mansion. !"
Smilingly she said:
Mrs. Cleveland said to charge to
the president"
There was moments hesitation, the
clerk beckoned to the proprietor and
together they talked in low tones.
Finally the clerk turned around and
stammeringly said: 81 am sorry, but
it is strictly against our rules-we
don't charge goods, l assure you-"
What! You refuse to give credit
to the president of the United States?"
All eyes were turned toward the
girl, who stood staring at the clerk.
awe do not exactly refuse to give
credit to the president, but, you see,
we do not open book accounts"
"Then you doubt my coming from
the White House, do you"
"Not at all. We only regret not
being able to comply with Mrs. Cleve-
lands request"
The maid to the most popular wo-
man in America turned from the
counter and rapidly made her way to
the White House carriage, followed by
a small crowd of curious spectators.
The manager of the store later ex-
planned the occurrence.
We regret annoying Mr.. Cleveland
or his wife," he said, "but had we
granted the request it would have
been a violation of our rules. We
long ago found it safer to abolish the
credit system and go on the pay one,
pay ALI plan. This we were forced to
do for our own protection. 1t is hard
enough to collect bills, anyway; and
so far as distinguished people are con-
cerned, we have found they are able to
avoid payments, for there is code of
etiquette absolving them from the
harassing collector. However, it was
not that we did not believe the White
House exchequer adequate to pay all
legitimate bills, but one rule which
applies to all should be enforced with
out discrimination"
The firm did exactly the proper
thing in making no exceptions to a
rule that was intended to be general
in its application. There is no reason
why the lady OF the White House
should not carry purse to pay for
her shopping, especially as she has a
maid to hold on to its pucker-string,
than for the wife of the humble me-
chanic to do SO. If there were more of
this recognition of equality in the
nation supposed to be based upon a
perfect equality of manhood, there
would be less contention of the masses
against the classes.
While Mrs. Clcveland's experience
must have been notifying, and to be
regretted on that account, for from all
reports she is an exemplary woman,
We feel like applauding the business
house which has shown such marked
desire to treat all customers with strict
impartiality.