The Washington herald., 1909-02-14

( The visitors chariot Skidded through
I the slush and the guide took fresh
I grip Of his megaphone preparatory 70
/ telling his audience all about the cost
7 Of the new columns on the Treasury
Building. but before he could begin, a 1T
tie miss from the State OF 7 want TO
know" startled ali with Say, why does
the White House hide behind the Treas
ury2'' Most reluctantly the guide had 10
confess not only 10 ignorance. but 10 the
fact that he had never before noticed
that the Executive Mansion was invis-
ible from Fifteenth street
But embarrassment was relieved and
miss enlightened by the gentle-faced old
man, whose father came here with the
government and whose chief JOY in life
is in telling stories OF Washington town
in its embryonic period Here is his
story: During Old Hickory's. or rather
President Andrew Jackson's administra-
ton, the Treasury Building was destroy
ed by fire. This was the third time fire
had wiped out this important branch Of
the government in the thirty years since
moving from Philadelphia
jackson was always a man OF ac-
ton. and the slow ways Of proceeding 10
rebuild this much-needed department was
getting on his nerves. One day strolling
abroad the President espied Mills, the
architect, who was IN charge OF the
work, measuring with delicate instru-
ments the land where this Treasury
building now stands With great delib-
Grafton the results Of measurements were
carefully recorded by the painstaking
architect until the self-control Of the old
warrior gave away, and with a thump
and a slam the old hickory cane was
tossed on the ground, while the Presi-
dent exclaimed: Right here I want the
corner stone" And his word was law in
those simple days, as you see for your
self"
Pools on Inaugural Weather.
In many Of the Offices pools are being
made on inaugural weather. most Of the
clerks who have already INDUCED in
tickets 10 view the parade from choice
stands are betting on rain and snow
for the fourth Of March, so that II they
lose their moneys worth Of comfort on
the open-air seat proposition. they viii
still have the consolation Of winning the
pool There is always a revival Of talk
about a change of date for the inaugural
when the gray skies OF February give
Washingtonians faint hope Of a pleas
ant first week in March. But though
many exclaim over the date of April %.
il is surprising how few persons past the
school age know why that particular day
is mentioned as a fitting one for the in
auguration Of a President
But the reason Is not far 10 seek if
We were less lazy.
In I7S9. when the first President had
been decided upon. there was not a quo
rum in the Senate until April s. on that
day the votes for President and Vice
President were in joint session OF Sen
ate and House Of Representatives count
ed and declared. BUt as there was Meth
er steam nor electricity known. and
rapid transit a term not understood. 1t
was eight days later that the definite
news Of his election reached Gen. Wash
ington at Mount Vernon. his Virginia
home
Forty hours later Washington was on
his way North. and the slow Journey was
a march Of triumph for the nations hero,
as every village and town through which
he passed on the way to New York,
where Congress was then convened, had
some show Of welcome and rejoicing in
his honor All this took time. and when
Washington finally arrived in New York
there was further delay in the ceremony
OF Induction fOr. Congress Was Suuaf,-
bling over q proper title for the head Of
the nation. While this debate was stil
on the carpet the Vice President. John
Adams, took the oath Of Office April Il