New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-07
GOSSIP AT THE CAPITAL.
SOME OF THE OLD EMPLOYEES AT The
EXECUTIVE MANSION

EXECUTIVE MANSION.
THEY HAVE GROWN GRAY IN THE SERVICE
INAUGURATION PICTURESQUE INDIAN
vIsrrous-THE MKINIEYs' CHURCH
Washington, March Ell, Ia fortunate for the
peace and co.nfor. Of n new President thot the
custom OF retaining certain employees OF inc
Executive Mansion from administration TO ADMIN
isiration is an established one. Many OF the s'an
at the White House have been there for years
some Of them dating their terms Of service back 10
General Grants hrss Administration 1t IL only
the personal servants who are changed. and some
OF these have grown old in their places
w I. Pruaen the assistant secretary and Colonel
William ". Crook. the executive clerk. with three
four OF the clerks under them. have passed more
than a quarter Of century at the Presidents
house and 10 their executive ability and deep
knowledge OF affairs are due the smoothneSs win
which its machinery f. run. When chhhsc III
Presidents occurs their long experience is OF meal,
an administration as well. when both the President
and his secretary are unaccustomed 70 tne work
Crook rank next TO the Presidents secretary. ana
arc his executive officers Mr.. .Pruden has charge
senser TO Congress Colonel Crook j. the paymaster
Of the house and looks after the hles; blt besides
as oracles in official matters. and are consulted on
all difficult questions.
Charles Loeiner the peasant-faced doorkeeper 70
the President. has stood guard AT his post rom
young manhood 20 mature age, ard knows every
face in Washington, and jus; whom 10 let through
the portals and whom refuse. II Is Mr I-ooflieI
who has 10 deaf with the cranks the Daniacs ana
other Interesting specimens Of humanity who .eel
they have a mission at tho White House lie hu-
learned In his official career 10 be an astuie dip-
lomat and turns his dangerous visitors over 70 me
police In a way that conynces them that ne IS con-
ferring a great favor.
Arthur simmons the Cerberus stationed In the
ante-chamber OF the Presidents secretary. is one cf
the oldest employees. lie l. q rOtund. mo"n-taceI
negro nearing sixty. well known about Town ana
a general favor,e. Perhaps 10 one 20 fully realizes
the importance OF his position a. Simmons Elm
self ana he has performed his duties acccptably
both TO tho different private secretaries under
whom he has served and 10 the public. He counts
all the men who have been prominent in Official
life during the last thirty years as hi- personal
a pleasant greeting for Simmons. The only points
about him thar invite criticism are his fondnoss ior
words Of six nd eight syllabes ana certain pom
pousncss ~ manner that sits we'll upon him
Simmons heid, which he keeps closely 'naven.
bali Not long ago a delegation Of Indians called
nj The White House 20 consult the Great Father.
and while they waited for audience simmons
stared az them from the other side Of the room in
WAY they protested 10 believe was inspired d!
fear The Indians were much amused at simmons
fear or curiosity whichever IL was. and finally one
OF them a big blanket chief stalked over 10 where
good fellowship. caused the Interpreter 70 say.
BLACK no be afraid. Indian no scalp him He
scalped already.
Jerry" Smith whose service antedates that OF
his colleague Simmons. is the custodian OF the
mems coakroom the first floor, and perfect
contrast 10 the fat and ompous messenger. Jerry
i tall and slender. dark-skinned and gray-headed
and his beard In the manner Of Napoleon
Ill lie Il quite and courteous a. any
Frenchman. and feels cne's self growing IN I'M
portance after he has encountered this ebony
Chesterfield At the receptions Jerry IS the gen
eral factoturn. known by name TO most Of the
officials and resident families. He IL called TO do
service here. there and everywhere. and In nc
greatest brushes never loses MS presence OF mind
or sangfroid. not even when he II called upon 10
carry out fainiing woman, as frequently nap
pens.
II Is hardly probable that Mrs Mckinley. who IS
somewhat Of an invalid will be able TO fulfl all
the duties pertaining 10 her position - wife of
the President for they are many and various
and great strength Is required for their perform
ance In England established custom allows the
Queen to be relieved by some member Of her
family and her post AT a drawng-room is often
taken by the Princess Of Wales or one OF her
daughters This custom has not been followed TO
any extent at the American capital and yet there
are some precedents for H.
Mrs Tyler during the last year Of her life. was
an invalid ard one Of her daughters invariably
received for her and relieved her Of all the re-
sponsiblites OF the position. The wife OF Presi-
dent Johnson never appeared al any OF the OFF,
ciaI functions at the Executive Mansion-neVer
appeared in public at all in the years she lived
there save once at the children's ball which the
President gave to his granddaughter. but dele
gated ali OF these Offices TO her daughter Mrs;
Patterson Later Mrs. Mckee received several
times for her mother. after Mrs. Harrison was
stricken with her last illness II Mrs. Mckinley;
therefore elects 10 share her duties with some OF
the attractive women In her family circle. II VIII
be quite according TO usage
There we're at the capital during Inauguration
week the daughters Of three Presidents Mrs
senple the daughter OF President Tyler. MIS-
sartor!s the daughter OF President Grant, ana
Mrs Stanley Brown. President Garhelds only
daughter There also present Mrs Harriet
Lane Johnston. the niece OF President buchanan
who both while her uncle was Minister 10 the
cour, Of st. James and while he was the Chief
Executive presided over his household with dig
nifty and grace
Mrs Johnston is stately. whitehaired old lady
,ow and still shows traces OF that wonderful
..golden beauty" for which she was famous forty
vears ago on both sides Of the Atlantic. In Eng
land she had brilliant social career the queen