St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-04-16
Letter from Washington.

the White House upon Monday, Wednes-
day and Friday OF each week. The
receptions have been largely attended by
strangers and visitors to the nations
capital, while the regular residents have
thoughtfully deferred until recently call
upon him, But Saturday last was consld-
cred record breaker in the history of
presidential callers in respect to numbers
of those who wished to have private
interview with the president, and the
'colored doorkeeper at the White House
declared that he had never seen so many
callers on official and personal business
with the president for 80 years as upon
that day.
OfIice-seekers are most perseverng and
persistent and representatives and sena-
tors are thronged with callers seeking
aid and support. Mr.. Mason OF Chicago
is one that has quite a retinue oflollowers
and is reported as making many friendly
calls at the White House
The weather has been unexceptionally
mild and beautiful, the trees are growing
green with the outcoming leaves, the
parks have beds filled with crocuses, some
dandelions are to be seen and everything
indicates an early spring. Strawberries
were sold for 18 cents per basket last
week, while the number of "cyclers" of
both sexes is innumerable upon the
streets. Within few weeks some serious
bicycle accidents have occurred.
Mrs. McKinley's health seems to be
improving since she came to this beautiful
city and she is able to receive many
calls, usually upon the same day that the
president holds his public receptions. 1t
is only necessary for ladies who desire to
meet her to send note stating the fact
and giving their names and residences
and they usually receive an official permit
to call. Upon Wednesday last we found
large company assembled TO greet the
president in the east room. A Western
lady remarked that she felt almost guilty
to help swell this throng of people who
had assembled to shake hands with the
nations executive. II it is true that you
give forth some magnetism with every
hand-clasp, the meeting Of so many hum
dreds of people three times per week
would naturally tend to exhaust ones
vitality. If you were to Judge Of the
presidents executive powers by the
rapidity with which he manages to
shake hands with all of the men, women
and children and say, PLEASED to see
you" or Happy to meet you, madam"
you would style him as a first class
business man. Mrs. Mckinley receives
her callers upstairs in the library, upon
the second floor, reached by an elevator
or the broad stairway. In the farther
side of the library, seated in low chair,
we found the lady Of the White House.
She was clad in~a most becoming and
lovely dress of blue. which set off to good
advantage her auburn hair and fair COM
plexion. There is a brightness in her
look and peculiar sweetness i'll her
smile which insensibly attracts you and
makes you feel that there seems to be a
spirit of peace and quiet enjoyment
within. In reply to mplimentary
remark made by caller about the
president, she said, Eyes, he is noble
hearted man, as | can testify after having
lived with him so many years and proved
it to be true" One of the child callers
had attached herself to Mrs. McKinley's
chair and she was asked if this was
"Grandmother Mckinley great grand
child, Marjorie Mckinley Morse of
California, the wonderful little two
year-old child who is expected here in
May. She replied, "No, do not know
her name, but know the badge the child
wears and what it represents, and that
is our old home in the West" Mrs.
Saxton also helped to receive the guests.
Mrs. Mckee, the daughter of ex-Presi-
dent Harrison, was one of the callers.
Many ladies after this interview expressed
great qualification in meeting Mrs.
Mckinley in this social, informal
way, affording them an interesting and
pleasing photograph Of her in her home
surroundings and life, and did not wonder
at the strong attachment manifested by
the president upon all occasions.
The strain upon the president has
become so strong and Of such long,
continuance that he has decided to take
trip on 1.-THE Dolphin" for few days
vacation. The press OF callers and office
seekers does not seem to abate and his
friends urge change. He attends the
Metropolitan Methodist church upon
Az street, where Gen. Grant formerly
attended.
Mrs. Annie Besant, a personal friend
of Nine. Blavotsky, the noted expounder
and teacher of theosophy, accompanied
by the Countess of Wachmeister, was in
this city last week and held receptions at
Mrs. Johnson's, the lady sculptures at
236 New Jersey avenue S. E., and
delivered three lectures in Masonic hall.
|
The present object of her visit here is to
hold classes for study and form a
branch society. She was dressed in