White House gossip

by Edna M. Colman

The first Easter after he came to the Presidency, Mr. Cleveland won the hearts of the Washington children by reviving the custom of rolling eggs on the lawns of the White House, a custom peculiar to the Capital City. The President loved children, and he not only opened the grounds for the usual egg-rolling, but received all the youngsters in the East Room, shaking hands with each one. Many of them, responding to his friendly smile, presented him and his sister with battered eggs. Between four and five thousand children, black and white, of every class, race, and condition attended. The only badge of eligibility was a basket of multi-coloured eggs.

Congress was in extra session for months, and the question of appointments under Civil Service occupied a large share of attention of the entire administration, placing a check, as it did, upon the old-time practice of wholesale dismissals with each new administration. This literal interpretation of the purpose of Civil Service, whereby a man need not lose his position unless guilty of neglect or abuse of his office, was a distinct shock to those of the older order, who believed that to the victor belonged the spoils.

From the first year of his term, Cleveland became involved in difficulties with some of the most influential men of his own party over his determination to uphold the reform and to adhere to his resolution to keep principle above partisanship.

His contest with the Senate over the Tenure of Office Act, which he insisted had fallen into innocuous desuetude, resulted in a complete victory for him, and he was not thereafter handicapped in his appointments. His attitude from the beginning on military pensions attracted wide comment. He demanded proof of real merit on the part of any applicant. Because of his vetoing so many private pension bills, he became the “Veto President.”

The entire nation was saddened by the death of General Grant during the first summer of the Cleveland administration.

Late in November, Vice President Hendricks passed away, before he had served even a year of his term.

Following his death, Congress passed the Presidential Succession Bill. It was a measure that provided for the filling of the Executive Office in the event of the deaths of both President and Vice President, by the Secretary of State, then the Secretary of the Treasury, and so on, through the membership of the Cabinet, should any such necessity arise. This became a law in January, 1886.

The New Year’s Reception of 1886 was exceptional in its large attendance. The weather was propitious and thus encouraged the timid to get themselves into their best bibs and tuckers and present themselves in line. The President greeted his guests cordially as Colonel Wilson made the introductions. The gowns of the receiving ladies drew much attention. Miss Cleveland was especially smart in her white silk and garnet velvet. Mrs. Bayard wore white silk crêpe. Mrs. Whitney was elegant with her magnificent diamonds and her white ottoman silk with its embroidered panel front of crystal and pearls. Mrs. Endicott’s heliotrope satin was draped with thin chiffon of deeper tint, and Mrs. Vilas’s pink satin and point lace offered a bright colour contrast to the others.

The Cabinet was blessed with a goodly share of young daughters and nieces to add life and gaiety and keep up the social traditions. Among them was Miss Kate Bayard. The reception was the last formal White House function that she attended, as her untimely death occurred two weeks later and was followed by that of her mother. This was so unexpected and such a shock as to throw a shadow over the whole official group; she was to have assisted Miss Cleveland at a White House function on the day she died.