Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-05-10
GUARDING TIE PRESIDENT.

Self Culture Magazine.
Many persons read in the daily papera
few days ago the statement that
dangerous 'cranko had made an effort
to see the President and was intercentoa
by the attendants, but 1T is doubtful Il
many of the readers realize how com.
rlete is the precautionary system which
resulted in the capture just mentioned
Nine tenths of the people who baya
visited the White House have imagined
that there was no police system what.
ever in force. Many have commented
on the fact. This general belief in its
non existence constitutes probably the
highest tribute which could be paid ia
the guard system at the Executive,
Mansion. The force consists primarily,
| of 10 policemen, divided into three
squads OF five, who surround the Whit
House every minute Of the "a hours,
and are in charge of q sergeant who
may be quickly communicated with at
the watchhcuse. At the watchhouss
also are II clerk and operator who
manage the working apparatus, which
includes telephone in direct con.
nection with police headquarters. Sig.
nal buttons located in every portion Of
the grounds, operated by means of
secret code, quickly register call for
assistance should fire break out or
crank" become unmanageable. On
the days of public receptions and other
occasions which ATTRACT large orcwd
of visitors, the regular force is in.
creased. No uniformed policemen are
stationed within the White House, bue
all the attendants are, SO far as cart
and watchfulness ara concerned, vr.
tually guards. An Indication Of the
care which has always been exercised
at the White House is found In the
fact that no harm has over come to
President within the grounds OF the
Executive Mansion. The two assassina.
tions of Presidents which have occurred
tookyplace at points soine distance from
the official residence, aud so far as
known.no attempt on the Presidents
life was ever planned for execution at
his Washington home. Nor, with
single exception. was admittance ever
gained to the White House by any per-.
son suspected OF intending to harm the
Chief Magistrate. Even in this cass
the suspicious aroused were to certain
extent uniustified, for 1t developed that
the purpose of the intruder was simply
to gain notnriety by creating scensI
|
the person of the President. If precau.
tions for the safety of the President
and his family are apparently lacking;
at the White House, however, there Is
certainly no relaxation of vigilance
when the head Of our national govern.
ment makes a journey through the
country. The officials OF all the cities
which will be visited are apprised Of
the exact hour of the Presidents arrival
and requested to see to it that ade.,
quate police protection is provided. The
President is seldom a guest at hotel,
so thatsthe precautions which would be
necessary in large hostelry may be
dispensed with; but considerable
degree Of watohfulness is usually exer.,
cised at banquets where the President
is to be speaker, particularly II they
be in large cities like New York or
Chicago, where the number Of
"cranks" who might seek to intrude,
at the festivities is naturally supposed
to be large. OF oil the persons, how.
ever, whose duty it is to look after tho
safety of the American ruler the rail.
road officials over whose line the Presi-
Dental special is scheduled to pass are
probably subjected to the severest
tension. 1t extends to every employe,
from the track walker, who must see
that no effort is made to wreck the
special train. to the general superin.
tendent upon whom responsibility for
the life of the President and his party
/ rests from the time the private cars
roll on to the rails of his line.