The Alaska citizen., 1913-07-14

Mr. Wilson's reported plan Of
banishing all forms of intoxicating
liquors from the White House dur
ing his Administration is not an in
novation For Rutherford b. Hayes
did the same thing at the request
of his wife. and started his regime
at the White House by having all
the wines and liquor glasses remov-
ed from the premises.
Mr. and Mrs. Hayes arrived in
! Washington in pouring rain only
few days before the inauguration.
There had been cry of fraud in
connection with his election, and
there was a general fear of reyolu-
ton. The city was crowded with
people. and there was a fine process.
sion, but there was less display than
usual and no inaugural ball.
Mrs. Hayes was a sweet, gentle,
courteous woman. hospitable and
gracious She was descended from
Puritans and was an enthusiastic
church worker She was versed in
social etiquette of the best society,
and frankly acknowledged her plea
sure in becoming mistress OF the
Executive Mansion. Unlike Mrs.
Grant, she was charmed with the
house; every room had its hist ry.
NO matter what they build. they
will never build any more rooms
! like these" she would say, as she
took her friends over it. Her hus
band had already enacted a strange
scene in the Red Room. secretly
taking the oath of office before the
Chief Justice, with only herself, Gen
eral Grant and his son for witnesses.
This was done lest a revolution
might follow the uncertainties of
his election.
The wife OF the President was an
element in the administration and
placed herself beside her husband in
! HIS olIltldl am. ouiSitC
ence she met with dignity and re-
buke When a woman came with
suggestions as to the presidential
housekeeping, Mrs. Hayes replied:
Madam, it is my husband, not
myself, who is President. | think
| that a man who is capable of filling
so important a position, as be
| lieve my husband to be- is quite
competent to establish such rules as
will obtain respect in his house with
out calling on members of other
households. | would not offend you
and would not offend Mr.. Hayes,
who knows what is due his position,
his family and himself without any
interference of others. directly or
through his wife"
This was a dignified position t.
take, but no other woman in the
White House ever exercised such
power over public affairs and such
rightly in domestic affairs. She
not only believed in and practiced
total abstinence from all intoxicat-
| ing drinks, but she determined that
all who came within the doors CT
the national mansion should also alb
STAIN
The Secretary OF State declared II
was not according to the rules of
| hospitality to invite the diplomatic
corps to their annual dinner and
serve no wines. He refused to con-
sent to it, Mr.. Hayes would not
yield the point, and as is usually
the case in such affairs, plan was
devised to circumvent her. Oranges
were prepared filled with delicious
| frozen punch Mr.. Hayes and the
uninitiated marveled that this fruit
was so extremely popular and was
preferred above everything else on
the menu. Unknown to her, Roman
punch was served at every state
dinner, the steward duly instructed
how to temper the potency FIR each
guest Those who partook laughing
| ly called it the Livesaving Sta
ton"
The name of Mrs. Hayes was her
aided over the country as one who
sitting in the highest place. had set
noble example for the world. She
was a devout follower of religious
sect that frowned upon all forms
of amusement, SO the billiard table
was removed from the house at her
bidding. If her husband planned a
quiet little game Of cards in his pri-
| Officeholders and office seekers
often played the hypocrite to in
gratiate themselves in the favor of
the devout wife of the President
Once winning it by total abstinence
prayers and psalm singing in her
church. they feared neither President