Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-02-09
"REMINISCENCES OF WASH.
iNGToN LIFE.
BY
; JULIA RANDOLPH sPoFFoRD :

- . - - - . . - -
Perhaps the wife of President Nc
Kinley received more solicitous atten-
tion than any former mistress of the
White House, for it was soon UNDER
stood that his greatest pleasure was to
honor her, and the respect and consid-
GRAFTON shown her by her husband was
closely initiated by every member Of
his official family.
One would naturally suppose that
Mrs. McKinley's face would show
signs of suffering or lines of discon-
tent, because Of the epileptic malady
and for the reason that she had lost
her beloved children, but this is not
true. On the contrary this invalid's
delicately nodded features expressed
placid contentment, though perhaps
this was but the reflex of the happi-
ness she experienced in being the wife
of THE Major" as she called the pres
ident.
This occurs to me as l think of her
appearance at one Of the White House
receptions. at which she sat beside the
president, being far too feeble to
stand to receive guests or shake their
hands, though she smiled sweet well
come to ALL
She was gowned In perfect taste for
woman Of her age, her dress being a
shimmering silvery-grey creation, and
she wore pearl and diamond ornaments
while her hair was worn in the usual
style, parted and waved softly to a
coil in the back.
Though this mistress of the White
House was nervous wrec~. she ap-
peared to be anxious to accompanv
the president on any and all of his Jour
news, while he seemed equally as de-
sirous of having her company. though
manv supposed that he humored her
almost childish whims more than was
necessary or wise. At one time Mrs
Mckinley travelled with the presi-
dent to Chicago, where he was to at
tend a political convention and ap-
pear in big street parade. 1t Is
customary on such occasions for the
president to ride with the mayor of the
city in the foremost carriage, with the
other dignitaries to follow. At the
last moment Mrs. Mckinley expressed
desire to ride with her illus
trious husband in this parade and.
Notwithstanding this disarranging the
personnel of the carriages all the way
down the line-it was so well known
that Mr.. Mckinley delighted in honor
ing her, that when the procession NOV
ed along. the president and his wife
both appeared smiling and happy at
the head of 1t. How many public men
would even have considered such a
request, much less have granted it,
NOT very many, perhaps. yet Presi-
dent Mckinley gained greater honor
because of this trait in his character
and his attitude towards his wife was
commented upon favorably in con-
frast with that OF a previous president
who appeared neglectful OF the strick-
en- wife in the White House. finding a
very plausible excuse no doubt In
processing to believe that for the sake
OF his own welfare he needed to lessen
the burdens of his private life. rather
than to increase them by spending
much of his time in trying to tighten
the gloom of the shadow of death
which lowered over her. But be IL
said to the credit of American eiti-
zens, 1t was this lack OF proper re-
spect and consideration for a diving
wife which later became the prinei-
pal cause for his not receiving renomi-
nation for the presidency.
AS plain Major Mckinley this good.
man adored his wife. and let nj,
light so shine. Later when he achieved
fame and became the chief executive
Of the land, he showed unfalterlng love
for his wife in the anxiety he display
ed that she should share all the honors
Of his exalted position. And stin later