The age-herald., 1901-04-14

Mir Mckinley says that one reason why It suits him first t-rate to he President for another four years Is that his wife. who Is half an invalid, will be during that pe riod altogether free from domestic cares such as a married woman in private life can hardly escape. The Executive Man sion Is run like a hotel. without the incl denta, publicity. and Uncle Sam does the Housekeeping. everything being provided for with such completeness that the mis- trcss of tho csta hlishmcnt is ,eurdened with no task or responsibility. She is mt obliged to puzzle over the choice of viands for todays dinner and tomorrow s breakfast. because all of that business is intended to by a butler. who is on the government pay roll. Nor Is she compell- ed to issue any orders to the maidser- wants. inasmuch as the official housekeep- CT overlooks them. When banquet or reception is to be given everything is managed by master of ceremonies, who is an army officer and an expert in the business. an1 even the seating of the guests is arranged by salaried attache, who also sends out the invitations.
 Of the many tasks and anxieties which, oppress the everyday housewife, even If she be well-to-do, not one bothers the
 
 tifp bed linen. and table linen, as well as the silverware and exquisite china be- ing government property, are cared for as such. If napkins or sheets need re- pairs they are mended without bothering the mistress of the mansion on the sub ject, and broken crockery Is replaced as if by the magic of a genie-compelling lamp. She is not obliged to give amp instructions about the taking up of carpets in early summer, and the housekeeping is done at proper intervals automatically, as 1t were No trouble about servants ever comes to her ears. and if the cook scolds or a chambermaid gives warning the mat ter Is not brought to her attention.
 Wcli-Paid Domestics.
 The White House chambermaids and parlor maids. indeed are men, four in number who do their work in highly superior manner, and get what most housewives would consider extravagant wages, s60 a month each, for their ser vices. On special occasions. at state dinners. they do duty walters. In the great, white-tifed kitchen, which has a range like that of a hotel. with modern appliances to match three women-a cook, an assistant cook and sculllon-- are employed. and during the social sea- son this department is under the super intendcnce of French chef. engaged at fancy salary. Two additional women
 
 compartment for drying clothes. But all of these under-servants are paid out of the Presidents private purse.
 Since Mir. McI<inleys first election. four years ago, Congress has been holding down expenditures for the White House. It has appropriated each year s2o.000 for the .'care. repairing and furnishing of the Executive Nansion--to be expended by contract or otherwise. as the President may determine" This is regarded as a minimum allowance, giving no margin for eextras. In addition however, slS00 is given annually for the pay of the butler (Srown officially as steward), 5000 for fuel. 5000 for keeping up the greenhouses, $20D0 for the salary of the head gardener $6I00 for the care and lighting of the grounds. and sso00 for contingent ex- penses,' which include the keep of two horses. stationery furniture. carpets and miscellaneous items This makes total of sis.5o9.
 Has Big Coal Bill. It Is easily seen that if the President was obliged to maintain his official resi- dcnce out of his salary he would have it- tic left to live upon. As 1t is. wish nc rent to pay, fuel and lights provided and other advantages already mentioned. his necessary expenses. are relatively small. and in effect the stipend he receives from the government is far in excess of tno nominal S50.000 a yeaf allowed him b? statute. The item o; Furnishing is ia- tended to cover only linen. crockery. etc. As for the large allowance for fuel, 1t is accounted for by the fact that 236 tons of coal arc used annually for heating the greenhouses.
 Since Mir. Mckinley first became Chief Magistrate, however, Congress has male no special grants of money foJ the white House such as were frequently allowed during the previous administration An drew Johnson got $l3s.oco in this way for refurnishiny. the mansion having run dcwn pretty badly during the civil war. In his first term Grant received s1s5ro for similar purposes. and Curing his sec- ond term sl1o.ooo. Congress gave Mir. Hayes 900 for like use and aided s110,- 0oo more during the Gsrfield-Arthur term, part of this latter sum being oevotcd to constructing the beaptifui screen of jew eisd glass (substituted for an ok wooden partition) now shuts off the greft yesti- bu1A from the living quarters Of he es-