Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-03-07
THE WHITE HOUSE.

Political Patronage Dispensed From Presi-
dents Kitchen Door.
Harper's Bazaar.
In nothing 10 the President 60 much
servant Of the people ~ he lie 10 ad-
ministering the domestic affairs of his
home in the Executive Mansion. His
manner of living is determined by the
American sentiment which at once
attaches suspicion to the official who
"puts on style.n Menu cards of state
dinner are kept from general oircula-
ton as carefully az the die OF q Treas
ury note, lest, 10 ling into the hands of
the "plain" people, they be made the
keynote of wall against imperialistic
tendencies in meats and wines. A cam.
paign charge of extravagant living
helped 10 defeat the reelection OF
President Van Buren, and his sue,
cessors are ever mindful of bis fate.
The demand for no style In the White
House creates an order of domestic
service there simply appalling to good
housewives and men accustomed to
elegance and good form. When Presi-
dent Mckinley took possession Of the
Executive Mansion house servants. who
were all men, were in the habit OF
going about their work any hour that
suited them, wearing soiled collars
and blue Jean aprons that we're never
washed. The late Private Secretary
Porter tried to reform this, beginning
with an attempt to put White House
servants in livery. Instantly the Ameri.
can principle Of simplicity was deemed
violated and indignation on the part
of the plain people was everywhere
expressed. Mr.. Porter thereupon RS
tired as domestic- labor reformer and
Col. Bingham, who Is disbursing officer
Of the household, took charge.
Col, Bingham has an army officer's
natural love OF order, and be began
With an effort to substitute trained
white housemaids for the colored men
doing housework. The President vetoed
this. 1t was bad politics.
Practical politics Is the fret cause of
the domestic disorder of the White
House. All the labor except the chef
IL paid by the government. 1t ia organ
lied under the direction Of steward
who is a bonded officer OF the govern.
ment on a salary OF 81, 500. This stew.
ard is domestic Poobah. He acts not
only as a steward, hut as butler, house-
keeper and dispenser of political
patronage from the Presidents kitchen
door. He Is a oolored man always, and
tue colored people from precedent have
come to regard the Presidents house.
work as their political plum. Four
men are employed to do chamber work
and parlor work. The wages of each is
80 day. The chef has two assistants,
Eaid by the government--in the In
stance OF man 50 day, or II
woman 81 day. The laundry is sus.
tanned by the government. Three
women constantly employed there re-
woman nominally housekeeper, virtu-
ally head chambermaid, who Is paid 81
q day. These domestics, owing their
positions to political influence, have
regard for no other authority IN doing
their work.
The equipment Of the Executive
Mansion Is provided for by an annual
appropriation OF 5000. Since tho
people Of the United States assume to
keep house for their President, why
do not women see to 1t that tho work ia
creditably donef The Mount Vernon
Association presents to sightseers at
Washipgtop's home q building wonder
fully preserved and immaculate in the
housekeeping II displays. Why should
not an Executive Mansion Association
accomplish AZ much for the home of
the PRESIDENT 1he first thing necessary
IL to rescue tho Executive household
from tho tolls of politics. The next
thing would be to give women's work
to women and ply them the same as
men. ls there anywhere finer oppor-
tunity for perpetual practical exhibit
of triumph OF household eponomicsf