The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1902-01-10
PRESIDENTIAL HOUSE.
Historic Old Mansion Not to Be
Rebuilt or Enlarged.
WHITE HOUSE SUITS ROOSEVELT.
Thinks Old Building Meets All Re-
quirements-specu as to Cor
mans Place In Democratic Party.
Young Members to the Fore.

Quirem MISREPRESENTATION as to Cor
mans Place In Democratic Party.
Young Members to the Fore.
WASHINGTON, Jan. S.-GSpecial.l- mo
amount of argument has yet convinced
congress that there ought to be new
presidential residence l have no doubt
that q majority in both houses believe
that the present residence Is altogether
inadequate, and If some plan could be
perfected to extend the building with
out changing too much its appearance
or, as some have advocated, to erect
separate business office for the presi-
dent, 1t is quite certain that q ma
jority would vote the necessary mon
ey. But the trouble seems to be In
getting any satisfactory plan. For
some reason there is strong senti-
ment In favor Of retaining the present
White House because Of it's historical
associations. There might be some
foundation for that sentiment II so
much of this building had not been
rebuilt. The best way to perpetuate
he present White House would be to
erect on it's site a structure twice or
three times the size of the old build
ing, which would be strictly an en-
largement of the present building.
This would give the necessary room
and yet retain the resemblance to the
old mansion.
President Roosevelt Satisfied.
President Roosevelt took occasion
early in his term to say that the White
House was comfortable enough and
that he did not desire it enlarged.
That is all well enough so far as he
is personally concerned, but there has
not been a large social function this
winter or any other that has not over
taxed it's capacity. On New Years
day hundreds of people could not get
into the building for hours, but stood
out in the cold waiting to secure en-
trance. or course great deal OF the
discomfort was due to the fact that
the public generally is received at the
close of the official reception, and thou
sands crowded up to the doors who
had no other reason for being there
than idle curiosity. But senators and
representatives and their families and
friends were crowded into the room
where the wraps were checked and
herded and held there while those who
are given social official precedence
were being received. There ought to
be a building large enough to house
the invited guests Of the president at
any Of the functions which are held in
the White House. President Roosevelt
no doubt meant that the present White
House was large enough for his fam
fly. That may be true, but it is not
large enough for the United States
government and its people.
Germans Future Position.
Although it will be more than year
before Arthur p. German takes his
seat In the United States senate. the
politicians are wondering what his
place will be In the Democratic party.
For years he was the acknowledged
leader, the man to whom all his aSso-
ciates deferred when questions of
great moment to his party were to be
decided. He held ranking places on
NOAhLhANlttSs anu iilS NlShltth gNdlo III
the senate gave him an experience that
was invaluable to a party leader, to a
man who made politics not only his
business, but his pleasure. Now what
will his position be? He cannot Sc
cure his old places on committees, nor
can he hope to obtain that sway he so
long maintained. 1t is true that he
was practically dethroned during the
last year of his service. He wanted
to have the compliment of being made
a member of the finance committee,
but this was denied him because he
was not in harmony with the ma jority
of his party on the money question.
When this was refused, German re-
signed as chairman Of the party eau
Gus and steering" committee. He left
the senate not in harmony with his
party, but no less respected by his as
sociates. AS he returns under changed
conditions it will be interesting to note
whether he will again assume that
leadership and control which he held
80 many years before.
Difficulties In the Way.
Of course, his four years absence
will count against him. New ties and
new alliances have been made. Even
II there Is to be a successor to Senator
Jones there are indications that some
new and younger members are anxious
for the place. There is Senator Bailey.
After two terms in the house he be-
came the leader of his party there.
He did not hesitate to organize force
against the old party leaders and de-
feated men who served I'm congress
before he was Of age. If 1t suits his
purpose, he will no doubt endeavor to
organize the senate minority 50 as to
make himself Its leader, whether it
means the defeat of Jones or prevents
the reinstatement of German fourteen
months hence. If the new element of
the Democratic party in the senate
should determine to control, neither
Jones nor German could be the leader.
A Portrait of jefferson.
Senator Nelson was in the east room
OF the White House the other day and
told a story about a constituent of his
in Minnesota who, under Mr. Nelson's