The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-02-04
THE HAsIKIE LET TER
Furnishings Of the White House
By Erederis , rIasisin.

Al BY bEeue
When President WILSON'S portrait
was hung in the White House short
time ago. 1t took Its place among pic
lures, ornaments and furniture rich
In historic associations. Much that
Is interesting about the tastes and
daily lives OF the persons who have
lived In the White House, which
would otherwise be forgotten, is re-
membered In connection with the
changes and additions they made In
its furnishings.
Portraits OF the presidtZts to be
placed in the White House have been
made since the time OF Washington;
but until 1857. during Buchanan's
administration, they were all pur-
chased unofficia1ly. During that
year Congress passed an act estab-
fishing a committee to collect por-
traits of the presidents to be placed
in the White House, stipulating that
not more than thousand dollars
should be paid for any full length
portrait.
The portrait OF Lincoln was paint
ed by B. F. Carpenter, who was a
portrait painter. OF some reputation.
He lived in the White House for i
long time, and afterward wrote =
book about 1t. in which he records
THAT Lincoln, the president, embar-
raised him by demanding in loud
voice:
do you think, Mr.. Carpenter,
THAT you can make handsome por-
trait OF. ME?" emphasizing the last
word.
The portraits Of presidents and
families in the White House consti-
Itute remarkable collection OF great
historical value. They are scattered
Throughout the building, twenty-five
OF them hanging in the red, green
and blue rooms.
There are about a dozen portraits
of mistresses OF the White House
within its walls. nearly all Of which
were presented to the government.
Thus, the; portrait of Mrs. Roosevelt
was given to the nation by the peo-
pie of France. and is the work OF
Theobald Chatran. II is the finest
portrait Of woman in the mansion.
Many Of the older portraits of White
House ladies look extremely curious
20 modern eyes. Thus, Mrs. Van
Buren. the wife OF President Van
Buren's son.is painted in an enor-
a handkerchief Of amazing proper
tions. Mrs. James X. Polk is also
depicted wearing a headdress of pink
feathers.
To furniture Of the White House
has been gradual evolution, each
successive administration contribu-
Ting something. Thus, uniformity
of taste is somewhat lacking, but his
torical interest is attached to almost
every piece. In the main vestibule OF
mansion are three large Gothic chairs
which have been there since the days
of Lincoln, as also have the marble
mantels. while the thing of the floor
Twas done under President Hayes.
Under the chandeliers of the East
room many distinguished persons
have been laid in state after their
deaths. Abraham Lincoln's body
Hay under the old-fashioned chande-
licr which used to hang there. The
present chandeliers were put in dur
ing Grants second administration,
They were made in Germany. cost
S1.S00 apiece. and each one Of them
der them were laid the bodies OF the
wife of President Harrison. the wife
and daughter of General B. F. Tracy
Nsecretary of the navy during Harris,
IONS administration: and L. @
Gresham. secretary Of state under
Cleveland.
The East room is the most impress.
lsive in the White House, and the one
in which the greatest number Of
memorable and interesting events
have taken place. Its present sump-
tuous dignity. however, has been tht
result of q slow development. Mrs
John Adams used the spacious East
room for drying the presidential
laundry when weather did not per
init of hanging It outdoors. In those
days the East room was entirely un,
furnished. During President Mon,
roe's administration a beginning wat
made toward furnishing 1t, nearly ali
OF the material being imported from
Paris. Andrew Jackson went OF
with the work. and spent more thar
any previous president for furniture
+ n large part of the money being uset
4 on the East room. 1t was not unit
the restoration Of the White House
under Roosevelt. however, that the
East room was completed Today II
Ills a really luxurious and tasteful
chamber. The walls are covered
with enameled wood panneling; the
ornamental ceiling is done in stucco
and in the walls are, twelve low re-
lief panels done by Piccirilli broth.
ers, sulptors. representing scenes
from Aesop's fables. There are two
mn nfats IF cn1nraS N, a rh1a WITT, MIR