The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-04-17

five following Presidents dispensed gen.
erous hospitality. Mr.. Buchanan's chef
came from Baltimore. and Miss Harriet
Lane revived the splendor and fashion of
courtly service. Their entertainm ents
we're elegant and expenses enormous.
President Tyler lived simply. Mr.. Pierce
was popular, dining everybody.
Grandfather Harrison" went 10
market and needed no steward. To
no other President to no other
mistress Of 1.-The Peoples House," could
come the peculiar perplexities and bur
dens of housekeeping as to our beloved
Abraham Lincoln. From attic to cellar,
through the grounds, the corridors,
places public or private, was the confu
sion of war. Little Tad, with his demo-
cratic visitors at the area steps and day
and night the tramp of soldiers. and Off
GERS and messengers everywhere. To
Mrs. Lincoln it was new, confused. and
untried. To Mr.. Lincoln months and
years we're wholly self-forgetful, indif-
ferent to the expenses and waste, COM
fort or discomfort. Twenty thousand
dollars was spent during his first term.
The family of Andrew johnson, with
ceaseless pains and patience, renovated
the house. Their state dinners we're
costly and official duties exact. With
the Grants came merry children, hosts
of jolly friends, and great social freedom.
Their steward "Melah," was beloved Of
diplomats. princes and officers who
dined at TIE White House. One hun
bred and thirty five thousand was used
in Johnson's time; the same in Grants
first term; the second. $4,000; $1,000
was used on the new greenhouses.
Great improvements were made during
Mrs. Hayes reign. The jeweled screen
in the vestibule cost $3.50. Congress
gave Mr.. Cleveland $4,000; Mr.. Harri-
son. $4,000 President Arthur was the
"prince of dinner givers."
The first time that we called upon
Mrs. Hayes informally someone asked:
And how goes your new housekeeping.
Mrs. Hayes?"
Her handsome eyes twinkled as she
replied merrily: II like it. Everything
in this house moves as if by magic.
Everybody is so good and does so much
for u.s."
The White House is often called big
hotel and the President it's landlord" 1t
is housekeeping on large ecale-the
expenses divided between Uncle Sam
and his servants! The Executive Man.
sion" is the official and private home of
the President and his family, and one
can hardly credit the small. uninterest-
ing routine of daily work within it's
walls. which is frantically sought after
and rushed into print. The house has
cost over 100000. and $125,OOO each
year is for the Presidents salary and
expenses. Silver, china, glassware, linen
for table and bedrooms, and necessary
furniture belongs to Uncle Sam. All
personal service is paid for as by any
gentleman in his own house. Govern
ment launders the house linen and at.
tends to the house cleaning, but at the
1
servants are retained or dismissed as
the mistress sees fit.
The steward is directly responsible for
all valuables. He gives bond of $780,
600 and receives salary of $500. He
is appointed by the President, and all
United States property put into his
charge. The solid silver service of the
Monroes, the gold spoons and forks of
the Van Burens. pieces of the Lincoln
china, parts of the decorative service
made for Mrs. Hayes are still in use, and
stand on the mahogany buffet in the
private dining-room.
Quaint urns. pitchers. claret jugs. and
relics Of value grace the buffet. The
silver is marked presidents House."
the linen embroidered "U. s." The
steward relieves the mistress of all care,
has charge of the under servants, who
| attend to tie entire housework. The
State dinners are given at the Presi-
dents expense. He gives to the steward
sum of money. the expenditure of
which is supposed to be in proportion to
the official rank and grandeur of the in
vited guests.
The government furnishes to Cabinet
| officers horses. carriages, and coachmen,
but the Presidents are personal property.
The flowers of the White House are it's
pride and glory. There is no room to
tell the wonderful decorations, the roses,
violets, pansies,. and orchids. each the
favorite of the ruling mistress; nor of
the pretty hooks and corners, arranged
from one administration to another by
the wife and mother for the comfort
and pleasure of her little ones. her hus-
band. and her many guests. The old
house is sacred for it's century of asso-
Citations, and inside its busy walls very
like to happy American home. where the
dignity of the high position is blessed
with love and content. Not ruled by
kings, nor queens. but by man chosen