Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-10-01
WHITE HOUSE GOSSIP.
Perquisites and Pleasures Of Our
Chief Magistrate.
Uncle Sam Pays for His Butler and His
Housekeeper, But He Has to
Fee HIS Barber Out of
His Own Pocket.
Especial Washington Letter I

Especial Washington Letter
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. 1t is really
q 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 filed out the regular blank, declar-
ing that he was a citizen of the United
States, lawyer by profession, that
he was temporarily residing in Wash
ington, that his income was $4,000 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 din
ners are paid out of the presidents sal
airy, all of the table equipments, in
Guiding the silver, glassware, china,
mirrors and floral decorations are fur
nished by the government. Congress
provides appropriations to replace worm
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
$4,000. 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 a 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.
I The housekeeper is paid a regular sal
AIRY by the government, and it is her
duty to superintend the chambermaids
und supervise the minor details of house
keeping. She sees to it that the kitchen
and dining-room are kept in order; that
the meals are served on time; that the
presidents lunch is served in the dining
room, the cabinet room, in his private
soffice, or in the library, wherever he
may choose to have it brought. Presi-
dent Arthur and President Cleveland
Ahave often had their lunches served
where it was most handy for them to
partake, while attending to pressing
business. In order that you may under
stand this little household irregularity,
you must understand that it takes five
minutes or more to go from the bust
ness part of the mansion to the dining
room, and sometimes the president has
not five minutes to spare in the middle
of the day. It does not often happen,
but when it does occur, the lunch must
be served Wherever the president wants
it served. The housekeeper also sees
TO it that the linen is aired, the beds
made and rugs shaken, and the carpets
kept perfectly clean. Inasmuch as she