The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-05-05
CLEARING THE WHITE HOUSE.
THE PRESIDENTS ABSENCE GIVES
A NEEDED OPPORTUNITY.


A NEEDED OPPORTUNITY.
Supt. Bingham Capable OfIicial
with n Wide Range of Duties--De-
partment of Justice and Agricul-
turaI Departments VIII Both Erect
New Buildinss-Secretary Hay a
Good Fellow and Popular Of
hciaI-Hfs wedding Invitation to
Secretary stanton a Quarter of a
Century AGO-WOmRn Who Saved
Stewards Life Resigns.
Washington, d c., May 4.-When the
Chief Executive of The nation goes from
home Uncle sam gets out his official
broom and goes to house cleaning. Hard
~ had the special train bearing the Presi-
dent and his distinguished party off for
a holiday. crossed the district line before
the White House was invaded by an
army of workmen. who will put the man
sion in Immaculate spring attire.
To the average sightseer the home OF
the President never presents a needy APP
pearanee, but to Col. Bingham's watch
full eye there are constant repairs and
improvements that the absence of the
Presidents family makes it possible to
carry on with convenience. The superin-
tendent of public buildings and grounds
Is great favorite socially. and no doubt
he and his charming wife would have
been a delightful acquisition to the Presi-
dents party, but when the latter leaves
the White House it is the signal for Cob
Bingham to remain a home to personally
see that every detail of renovation is at
tended TO with the strictest nicety. 1t is
curious to regard an army officer of dis
tinction in this capacity of high grade
steward or custodian of the Presidents
house, yet ID is an office that it filed al
ways by a man of social and executive
experience, because the scope of his du-
ties is extended beyond the supervision of
she home comfort of the President, as he
not only sees to the improvement OF all
marks and government reservations and
the Identification of government build
ings, but he attends to the invitation lists
and makes the presentations at all White
House functions.
During the present extended absence of
the President. Col Bingham will see that
the necessary repairs are made at the
White House, and al 1.-The hangings Will
be removed, the great chandeliers and
paintings covered with gauze and cool
maatings will supercede rugs and carpets.
When Mrs. Mckinley returns, she will
find her home clean and inviting and
fresh from brush and paint.
Everyone likes to be friends with Col
Bingham, for his privilege to send flow
ers cut from the government gardens
daily recommends him to universal favor.
VIII Have New Buildings.
It is curious coincidence that two
branches of the government service are
to have architectural increase at the
same time Both the department of JUS
tice and the Agricultural Department are
looking forward to the erection OF new
buildings that wall add greatly to the
beauty of the city. The new Attorney
General, like the proVerbial broom,
stamped his individuality at once. and
contrary to the policy of his predecessor,
decided upon the immediate erection of a
Department of Justice and the consequent
erssure of a decided Disagreement of
Pennsylvania avenue directly opposite the
White House. Attorney General Griggs
labored faithfully to procure this build
ing, and even demolished some Indifferent
buildings on the site, but the funds APP
propriated were not in his estimation suf-
ficient, and he and his architects became
inextricab1y tangled in the plans for the
building so that ire project has hung fire
for two or three years. Attorney General
Knox being impressed with the unsightly
spectacle of a worse than vacant lot, de-
oided to make the best OF the govern
nlent's appropriation and push ahead the
plans for building so that new and ar
tistic temple of justice will soon be reared
skyward on the avenue in close proximity
10 the Lafayette Square theater. and the
new bank recently built of stone and
beautifled by splendid bronze entrance
Secretary Hay a Good Fellow.
No man has ever held the portfolio %