davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning times., 1897-03-02

acter could not bc assailed; and he consid-
efcd she had done nothing TO forfeit public
respect. She was beautiful woman with
many charming personal traits, and the
PRESIDENT was her stanch defender He
even threatened his niece, Mis- Donaldson.
wEo was beloved and treated as child hy
the President, and who addressed her as
my daughter" with his person dis
pleasure if she listened to this clamor.
Mrs. Donaldson was q woman OF unusual
beauty, with dark auburn hair, brown
eyes and fair complexion, her mouth as
beautiful as Mrs. Cleveland's She was
refined and cultivated, quite able 10 take
her place and hold it with a sweet. at
tractlve womaniness in any of the social
duties of her high position. Her four chill
dren Were born in the White House. AT
that time Presidents wives returned calls
like others. 1t was not until President
Tyler's administration was in the past
tense that the custom was abolished.
The Presidents wife being much an
invalid, Mrs. Robert Tyler, wife Of the
Presidents son, born Priscilla Cooper,
the actress, was invited by the President
toacconpany the family to the White House
and fill the role of lady Of honor She had
always moved in the best society Of New
York, her father having been an eminent
tragcdan OF that day, thought by some to
nval kean. She was beautiful, accom-.
plished. and admirably fitted to perform her
high offices with distinction.
Martin Van Buren's administration was
In many points radically unlike that of.
his predecessor. Gen. jackson, who loved
simplicity, and made no changes in the
domestic management Of the White House.
Mr.. Van Buren, had always moved in an
other sphere, where elegance and luxurIes
were regarded as daily necessaries, and as
soon as he became President, change be-
gan to creep into the management Of the
Executive Mansion that was publicly ad-
versely criticised, as the country was on
the verge OF a financial panic But, in
spite or this unwarranted attack upon the
President extravaganza, the White House
was oftenthe scene of briihantsocial events
and his sons wife, with the help Of Mrs
Madison, who had returned to washin gton
to be near where she had spent her hap
piest days. led in the festivities
Mrs Madison had the reputation of not
only being herself fond OF society, but she
had an eye for discovering social successes
In the younger women who came under her
observation. and in one case, at least, she
Is credited with matchmaking; for, soon
after her arrival in Washington, she in
The morning times., 1897-03-02
Exactly How We Spend
S5,OOO,OoO of Our Money

The amount of money that is spentin con
nection with inauguration reaches well
up into the millions. The expense of
placing the new President in the White
House, ex xclusive OF the cost of transport
ing the troops to the Capital. is not less
than $4,000. And this is gotten back in
the returns for the tickets to the big bail.
Fifty thousand dollars compared with the
vast outpourings OF wealth that were dis
sipated at the cars coronation seems in
significant, yet it is not a small sum of
money. And $780, does q good deal
when expended to the best advantage; in
fact, it makes an extremely impressive and
gorgeous show.
To begin with the bunting, not less
than 10000 yards, is needed to give the
Capitol building and certain other points
the appearance OF holiday gayety appro-
pirate to a great national event. This
bunting, red and yellow, is OF much
better grade than has sometimes been used
Both these Innovations were decided upon
some time ago, in order TO guard against the
disastrous effect of a soaking rain. similar
to that Which fell on Inauguration day in
1898, when the steady and plentiful do wn-
pour most sod bedraggIed the fIinsy bunt-
ing then usedkt % cents yard tie cost
Of this bunting amounts to So 600 More
than half of it is draped about the platform
from which the inaugural speeches are
made, though many other central points
receive attention, too.
1t would be highly Inappropriate if there
., II. o. sfrr
and the committee OF arrangements has
not practiced economy in the display OF
the Star Spanglcd Banner FestOoned with
the bunting, floating in the breeze from
various points or vantage, Tapping to the
accompaniment OF martial music and the
cheers OF patriotic citizens, are no fewer
than 5000 national flags. purchased at
an average cost Of So. The flags at in
auguration cost $25 900, and the display
of the Stars and Stripes is second only to
that on one previous occasion anywhere
After the flag item comes the item of
music in the great parade. Men cannot be
expected to undergo the fatigues OF such
march without the inspiring strains OF
brass and wood and rattle or the drums.
Fifty bands, therefore, engaged to fur
nish the days musical inspiration. crack
musical organizations made up OF the
finest performers that money can hire;
drum corps pressed into the service from
wherever money and the pleasure of taking
part in the great national celebration can
tempt them; crack musicians OF village
dTummeTs, 1t is safe to say that the bands
cost an average price of $10O apiece The
parade music may he set down at the re-
spectacle figure Of $1,000
The next great item is the Inauguration
bah and the hangings of bunting and flags
in the Pension building cost So 500.
For the flowers and plants 81 900 are
expended. These include l 900 American
Beauty roses and enough sniIax. palms,
and ferns to make the Pension building
blossom with the beauty OF tropical
garden. There are costly creepers, bright
ened with red and white roses, and dainty
blossoms or delicate perfume as well as
The morning times., 1897-03-02

beautiful colorS. In all sorts of avail
able places graceful palms and tropical
plants cast a welcome shadow. and at
the further end OF the hall, where the
musicians are placed, the plants are banked
in gorgeous profusion, and flags and flowers
interviewer into the prettieSt designs Of
the florists art
To glonfy the flags and flowers and
make their colors glow, the art OF the
electrician is called in, and $4,000 has
been expended on the Installation and
Illumination OF the magic currents lamps.
The electrical devices are gorgeous in the
extreme. Besides great flaming design
on the further end of the ballroom, spelling
in letters of dazzling light the name Of the
new President, and various symbolic de
vices on the walls and pillars, fash
ioned in blazing outlines, are inHumerable
smaller lights wherever one can DC brought
TO bear on the scene IN harmony with the
general surroundings. Lamps twinkle and
sparkle and CLEAN fIom every corner OF
wall and ceiling, making OF the bunting and
decorations that would look almost dingy
by daylight fabrics OF IaviShiug beauty
fit for fairyland.
There is promised, too. band OF music
tndt makes tie heaviest IOoteu 4ttl Ike
dancing. From many competitors an
orchestra OF serenty-five pieces has been
selected TO provide the music for the ban at
cost Of $3,03S- The cost OF the supper is
a little less than 81 5000
When a car is crowned the fact Is en-
phasized by the booming OF cannon and
the burning or powder. Uncle Sans way
is better and costs much less. Heprovides
gorgeous display or fireworks, which
furnish quite as much noise In the aggTe-
gate, andis really much more satisfactory
The pyrotechnical display costs $4,000.
Besides number OF new effects in ex-
plosive bombs which throw Oft vari-
colored lights, there is a marvellous repre-
sentation OF the national flag in red,
white and blue lights. 1t swings from
captive balloons a mile above the ground
and represents the Stars and Stripes in
The morning times., 1897-03-02

the warmth OF woman's heart. In her
young womanhood she taught school, and
she kept company with Mr.. Fillmore
when he was "ciothier and fuller but
who spent all his leisure wlth his uc0ss, '
with the approval of his affianced, whoSa
something in him more than commonly
promising. At any rate, her premonitions
OF his future successes all came true; and
while Mrs Fillmore did not take an active
interest in social affairs during her earlier
residence ut the White House, these duties
were deiegated to her daughter, who gave
great satisfaction as hostess. Mother
and daughter possessed highly-cultivated
musical talents, and always surrounded
themselves with persons of culture and re-
finement, rather than merely successful
politicians.
Mrs. Pierce was very weI-bred and
tactful, an uuobstrusive person. and While
the historian finds her 'public life some
what coIorless, he also finds that gossip
or criticism never reached her Thence
one depends not so much upon history s
brief mention OF these favored women as
upon tradition, for there are stu numer-
Gus elderly people in washington VINO
60 back thus far in memory as the process
sion of Presidents come and go, To these
persons, after a time this four years
pageant begins to assume the scenes OF
great play Some of the characters, Ike
Lincoln and Garfield, play tragic parts,
while others move on and off, and SINK
into a comparative obscurity. their life
work done long before they themselves
feel willing to have the curtain drop.
1t is a delicate matter TO speak or the
living who have filled the position OF miss
tress of the White House. Two OF these
ladies now reside in Washington; for
women. lik men, find that life now here else
has such flavor. Mrs. Harriet Lane john
Ston was the beautiful and accomplished
niece of ex- President buchanan, who was
more popular than ever her bachelor uncle
in his residence during most troublous
period of our history. Miss Lane had the
The morning times., 1897-03-02

flight. Mrs Harrison had a nimble wit.
One who knew her well says of her that
she saw the ludicrous side OF circumstances
very quickly, and consequently found much
TO amuse her in the Kaleidoscope char
acters about her that passed in review
curing her residence in the White House
one OF the reforms that Mrs Harri-
son tried to bring about is one much needed
but still awaits the final word of Con-
gressionai approval-the extension of the
White House buildings to bring the man.
sion up to date as suitable residence
for the highest officer OF the government.
Under her supervision several plans were
submitted to the Committees on Public
buildings and Grounds. The acconmoda-
tions in the Executive Mansion are on a
very limited scale for family Of any size
The morning times., 1897-03-02

the office. Both Martha Washington and
our first Chief Magistrate have left in
their correspondence tokens OF this de
sire OF their hearts to 1--we up TO their
responsible position, and even to exalt
the station Mrs WashingUon's 4 O'Clock
dra wing rooms, the early dinners which
were always ready for guests. and the Z
O'Clock levces were events Of frequent oc-
cUrrence during both of Gen Washington's
Presidential terres. And never since then
have the social or official functions of the
Executive household been more high-bred
or stately than thos- c-c;-:::--..::::5 at the
capitols in New York and Philadelphia.
When John Adams succeeded President
Washington the wife he brought to Wash
ington tthen Just beginning to put on the
airs OF a capital city, brought to her sta
ton a character well established for a
political turn Of mind that would have
made her conspicuous in these times as q
Str0ng-minded woman. indeed, no great
er politician in petticUats ever lived In that
or any other ge Of our ccuntrythan Abigail
Adams, and the curiosity Of il was that
the was So often right. She thought il her
duty TO impress her vigorous patriotism
upon her President.
When she came TO Washington it was
Eell-nigh a wilderness, and the White
House. great. unfinished barn-like place.
1t was almost an unbrCken country from
Capitol Ilin TO Georgetown, which was
then a considerable town. It is said that
during that first session CT Congress at the
new Capital city there were scarcely de-
cent accemm citations to be had any
where, and the President s wife had such
household cares as the molding Of candles
enough for state occasions, and getting
wood cut for the open fireplaces in the
few finished rooms in the mansion. Even
men TO do the chores were SO scarce
that they had 10 be imported from the dis
tant city OF Baltimore, which was a days
Journey away, by stage-coach or horse
Somehow this capable dame, who had
been used TO managing her own domestic
affairs in the long absences OF her husband
on diplomatic errands, managed TO live
through these Inconvenience and priva-
tions, and TO impress her strong personality
upon the minds of all who met her as
"queen of the Republican court" term
that she would have hurled back with
scorn Abagail Adams spent her summers
On the farm at Quincy, Mass, and this
also she managed with a goodly degree
OF success. But she found time to write
The morning times., 1897-03-02

honor of entertaining the Prince OF Wales
as guest OF the President and the nation
when he made his first visit to America.
Mrs. Johnston returned to Washington
soon after her widowhood, and while she
lives comparatively quiet life, she still
appears, on occasion, q fine-looking woman,
and queens it as bravely as ever, for
nowhere else in America is the mature
woman of any or every age so sure of
long reign of popularity, IL nature has made
her social leader.
Gen. Grants widow acknowledges that
the sweetest drafts Of social pleasure she
ever tasted were slipped in washington
while her husbands star was rising and
while, too, he was President Mrs. Grant
never was beautiful, but she had to an emf
nent degree that rare kind Of sense called
good common sense, and she was never out
of place wherever she found herself No
one could ever say that she shone with bril-
liancy, but she did fulfill all of the most
exacting duties without criticism. She
was herself happy and generally successful
in making others about her happy. Gen.
Grant was almost shy in the social world
The morning times., 1897-03-02

or even for the passing guest. The Harrison
family crowded it to It's utmost. with
Grandpa Scott, the family OF Mrs. Mckee.
and of Russell Harrison, and of Mrs. Dim.
mick, now the second Mrs. Harrison
HOUSES, ike people who survive to a
good old age, come to have a personality,
If not history. The quadrennial tenants
or the past 100 years in the White House
brought with them trials and troubles that
could not be left behind. Death sometimes
galloped fast after those who crossed it's
threshold with so much satisfaction and
pride. Calumny many a time and oft
slipped in, but rarely did it have shaft
to send after the mistress who walked that
way-tragedies and comedies, waiting
upon all our lives, whether in mansion or
cottage. Bot this one thing we have to re-
Joice in. No Common place or unworthy
mistress name is among them all The
one most criticised, Mrs. Lincoln, was more
unfortunate than SHINING. She possessed
social qualities that in a peaceful time
would have given her much higher place
In tradition-her very love of dress, display
and gayety. Having been born in a slave
State, her feelings were not so bitter
toward the rebels as they otherwi
might have been; and it was easy in those
dark days to construe all conduct that was
not pronouncedly for as being against the
cause that her husband stood for as no
other living man
1t may very properly he said In passing
that the woma n who is Fortunate enough to
be mistress Of the White House does not
find all life color de rose Etiquette no
longer permits her To mai Ike personal visits
outside OF Cabinet homes She must re-
cciye no end OF visits, and however much
she may weary of this cut-and- dried of
ficiai round or ceremony, she must do her
BEST to keep it up, and give her personal in
fluence to dignity and exaIt her nations
social prestige. There may be other
thorns in this high path, which the world
knows not OF, nor must ever know-for the
sake of the man whom she delights to
honor at no matter what sacrifice To
live four years with the eyes of all the
world upon one cannot be nalloyed bliss.
especially when one reflects that sharp
eyes are ready 70 record the most tTilIine
incident.
The first lady OF the land has to meet
Ihose Tong idHliiidr WIN the courts or kings.
accomplished men and women ofth world.
with whom the slightest mistake in the
etiquette OF an occasion is likely to be
taken as national affront. All these com
plcated and sometimes irksome situations
would naturally have a tendency to make
an average woman nervous" Happily
for the United States. no one Of all the mis-
tresses of the White House has ever de-
scended below her proper plane. Mrs Nc
kinley. all are confident, viii take her place
among these elect ladies elect by higher
power than popular vote, as one Of the
rarest embodiIuents of womanhOod
EMILY LEE SHERWOOD.
The morning times., 1897-03-02

On Thursday, March i, at high roon,
. Mrs. Cleveland turns over the keys of the
domestic department Gf tie White House
to Mrs. Ida Saxton Mckinley, wife Of
the newly inaugurated President Although
for many years an invalid, Mrs. McKinlev
does not come without experience to her
new lome. As wife OF Member Of Con
Eress and OF the Governor of the great
Staue OF Ohio, the duties of official life
viii Eot he entirely novel to her. Mrs.
Mckinley is a highly educated and ac-
Complished woman, with clearly defined
religious principles. 1t is generally con-
The morning times., 1897-03-02
Prices for Seats Very High

Prices for eligible position to view the
inaugural parade are coming high this time
says the Chicago Chronicle. Quotations
running as high as $3.50 are made for
rooms with windows facing on Pennsyl-
vania avenue. The rapidity with which
the business has been developed may be
judged from the fact that the right to erect
and control the big stand on the square
directly opposite the reviewing stand of
the President was sold for $4Oo in 1889,
but brought ST. 800 In 1893, and $2,55o
this year.
The morning times., 1897-03-02
THREE BY THE YOUNGSTERS

The small son OF a West End matron was
walking with his mamma in Lafayette
Square a few days ago As they emerged
from the park the little boy paused 70 look
at the inauguration stands He asked.
Mamma. what are dose fings for?''
To support the seats. dear
We'll. what are dose2''
The supports for the roof. pet"
The little fellow looked thoughtful for
moment; then stopping, he placed his hands
upon the chubby legs. which were clad IN
their first trousers. and remarked
Desc are my supports for my stumac.
den?r
The morning times., 1897-03-02
Enjoys a Quiet Game

One OF the ravorite recreations Of Presi-
dent-elect Mckinley is social game Of
cards with his old familiar friends In the
evening After being besieged by poIiti-
clans and place hunters an day 1t Is q
source OF great pleasure TO him to have
the house closed to the outside world and
to sitdOwn with few congenial comrades
TO a game OF eucher or whist. which In
frequently prolonged beyond midnighs.
The morning times., 1897-03-02
WIDOWS OF THE REVOLUTION

Seven women are still draw wing pensions
as the widows OF men who saw active Sery-
ice in the War OF the Revolution women
whose husbands served under Washington
more than hundred years ago.
The eldest OF these surviving wido VS. of
the Revolution is living at Los Angeles.
Cal. She is Mrs. Lovey AIdrich. now in
the ninety eighth year OF her age. Her hus-
band was Private Caleb Aldrich. who was
born in the year 1863 and served as a SOL
der boy in the New England campaigns OF
the war.
The morning times., 1897-03-02
snre lie Mnnld r. sarcd

few evenings ago, while two old col
Ored men were sweeping the streets,
amid the swish, swish OF their brooms,
the constant scraping OF their shOveis and
the Hole up dab, ole hoSs." one OF them
could be hesrd in a most solemn manner
trying 70 impress the ether with religious
feryor in these words
"Ef yo' only believes. ef 20 only hab
fsithi bah amt no use en- er prayfn' il
yo' dOan believe But ef ye prays ebery
day. ef 70 prays mornin' an night. and ef
yo' believes in de Lawd Jesus. you be
sabcd shO's ILL.,
The morning times., 1897-03-02

You are mammals little comfort aren't
you?''
The small son OF the house, who is four
years OF age. handsome, brow n-eyed. and
full or boyish mischief, called out from
the next loom, where he was nIadiy gal
loping about on his stick horse
Huh, I'm Robody's comfort, / 'spose?"
Dr. Fayette Ewing. now OF st. Louis,
but formerly of Washington, has a Quartet
of very interesting boys. One day when
Presley, who Is five, was telling some
thing which had happened in the school
room, his father said.
Now, Presley, you n.usn't draw upon
your imagination
No, Presley" interrupted EpTiun. aged
seven, wren you want to draw on any
thing go down stairs and Go It on your
blackboard That's made to draw on
The morning times., 1897-03-02

her husband such letters as give truer
pictures of those early days in our coun-
try's history than are 10 be found in the
writings of many other annalists
One might write book about Mrs.
Adams successor, Dolly Madison, were
not the reading world already familiar
with her fame, as perhaps the most popu-
lar mistress of the White House There
being more a society woman than Mrs.
Adams, and the Executive Mansion icing
somewhat more advanced as u place Of
residence, She reigned like a queen. She
IN turn was succeeded later by a lady
of still gentler breeding, Mrs. John Quincy
Adams-who never seemed to NE to have
that prominence am ong these historic
DANES which her beauty, tact, and many
accomplishments seem TO merit; and FOR
that reason she shall have this tardy bit
OF Justice. The old chroniclers say of
her that she always carried herself with
The morning times., 1897-03-02
Mrs. TYLER,

all his life, but Mrs. Grant always covered
up all his deficiencies with tact and discre-
tion.
Mrs. Lucy Webb Hayes name will long
be remembered as that Of the happiest
mistress the White House ever had-unless
Mrs Cleveland can lay higher claim
having come into it bride. On one oc-
oasion, Mrs. Hayes, speaking Of her life
there, said:
My husbands election remained so
long in the Electora Commission tha t one
hardly dared to think of it as ones own.
1t was not sure enough for me to order the
necessary changes in q ladys wardrobe,
which the duties of the place would de-
mand, for fear Of missing it after all and
making oneself appear ridiculous in having
The morning times., 1897-03-02

ceded that the home life OF the new
President VIII be as simple and abstemius
as their lives have always been at Canton
Mrs Mckinley is 4 Methodist, like Mrs
Hayes, and as strong a believed III pro-
hihitlon; and with these ideas the newly
elected President sympathiZes. American
women have a happy way of impressing
their personality upon their liege lords,
nj Of carrying their principles with them
into any place which they may be called
to fill. In skeuchinE, even rapidly, the his
tories of these historic dameS-wiyes of
Presidents of these United States, one finds
many reasons to be proud OF the patriotism,
tact and high character OF these, our coun-
try women, who have shared in the lives
snd honors of our Chief Executives. There
Is no instance in which the wives or the
daughters have failed TO come up to public
expectation.
Martha Washington was always so deeply
interested in her country that she cheer
fully shared the hardships Of camp life dur
ing the long, weary days Of the Revolution
for independence When that seven years
struggle was ended and her husband was
chosen to fill the Presidential office, she
fl every possible way strove TO impress
simple dignity upon the ceremonials Of
The morning times., 1897-03-02

One afternoon during the recent illness OF
Mrs. Hatch. wife of the minister OF Ha-
wall. her little daughter sat beside the
sick mother. strokng her hand, and the
mother said to her