The Mena weekly star., 1896-10-14
WHITE HOUSE GOSSTP.
Perquisites and Pleasures of Our
 Chief Magistrate.
uncle sam Pays for His Butler ana His Housekeeper, But He Has to Fee Ills Barber Out of
 His Own Pocket.
Special Washington Letter I


 Although considerable was recently told in a special letter concerning the routine life, the salary and expenses of the president of the United States, there are many other interesting de- tails concerning the chief magistracy, and the perquisites and pleasures of high official position.
 In the first place, the president is given a handsome residence called the executive mansion, but more commonly known as the white house. It is really White house, constructed of pure marble. Moreover, the grounds sur. rounding the presidential residence are ample and beautiful. The lawns, trees, flowers, fountains, conservatory and house furnishings are supplied and cared for at the expense of the government.
 One of the funny things during the taking of the census of 1890 was the off cial return made by President Harrison. He filled out the regular blank, declar- ing that he was citizen of the United States, lawyer by profession, that he was temporarily residing in Wash ington, that his income was $5000 per annum, and that it was sufficient to support his family He also certified that the house in which he resided was mot mortgaged."
 Although the expenses of state dim ners are paid out of the presidents sal ary, all of the table equipments, in- cluding the silver, glassware, china, mirrors and floral decorations are fur nished by the government. Congress provides appropriations to replace worn- out or broken furniture, linen and other household necessities. During the Hayes administration a china dinner set was paid for by the government, and it cost $5,000. The white house butler and housekeeper are paid for by the govern ment, but the president is obliged to hire his own cook and other household servants.
 The butler is usually called the stew ard, and he receives regular salary for looking after the domestic affairs of the executive mansion. He buys the ice, coal and groceries, and also attends to the marketing. He sees to it that the gas and electric lights are always in order, so that the president is thereby  relieved of many little household de- tails which were originally looked after by Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Jackson and their successors down to the time of President Polk, who first induced the congress to make an appro- priation for white house butler. This official is also an important functionary in that he relieves the wife of the presi- dent of many details of housekeeping which ordinarily would fall upon the mistress of the mansion.
 The houselSeeper is paid regular sal ary by the government, and it is hel duty to superintend the chambermaids and supervise the minor details of house keeping. She sees to it that the kitchen and dining-room are kept in order; that l the meals are served on time; that the presidents lunch is served in the dining room, the cabinet room, in his private office, or in the library, wherever he may choose to have it brought. Presi- | dent Arthur and President Cleveland 1 have often had their lunches served where it was most handy for them to l partake, while attending to pressing business. In order that you may under