Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 27, Number 45, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 8 May 1897 — Page 6

WHITE HOUSE MAIL.

THE PRESIDENT'S LETTERS ARE HAN DLED LIKE THOSE OF ANY ONE ELSE.

Much of It Is Merer Seen by Mr. McKin­

ley Cariona Addresses oil Envelopes.

Requests For Souvenirs and Offices—Sift­

ing the Letters—How They Are Answered

[Special Correspondence.]

WASHINGTON, May 3.—The mail of the president of the United States re ceives no more consideration from the postoffice department than the mail of any citizen. All official mail is handled together, but it is distributed no more rapidly and delivered no more promptly than the mail addressed to a shoemaker or a merchant or a millionaire. There is discrimination in the handling of two classes of mail in the Washington local postoffice. A special delivery is made at night to the hotels and a special night delivery is made along Newspaper row. The transient visitor and the newspaper correspondent at the capital are favored above the president of the United States.

The official mail is separated from the unofficial mail in the local postoffice, for the convenience of the clerks and carriers. No delivery of mail is made to the White House or to any of the departments. Each department has a wagon, which is sent to the local postoffice two or three times a day for the mail. The letters have been separated in the postoffice, but they are rebandled in the mail division of the department by a special set of clerks, and by them distributed to the offices for which they are intended. The state department wagon takes the president's mail to the White House on its first trip, about 8 o'clock in the morning. At 12 o'clock and at 8 o'clock in the afternoon a mounted messenger from the White House comes to the postoffice, puts the mail in his saddle bags, and returns to the executive offices. This messenger is a colored man, who has been in the service of the White House through half a dozen administrations.

Where It Mostly Comes From.

The president's mail does not fill a very big bag, though it includes several hundred letters a day. The biggest mail is that which is received on the early trains from the west and east, which is taken to the White House by wagon.

At the White House this mail is assorted by three clerks—Pruden, Oortelyou and Young. They are all veteran employees of the White House, and the routine of executive business they know much better than the president. Pruden is the gray haired, dignified man, with close cropped mustache, who takes the president's messages to the capitol.

The first sifting process through whioh the letters go is their assortment according to size and external character. Big, fat envelopes which look as though thoy containod petitions, envelopes from the departments which contain only formal communications, envelope* whose addresses are illiterate or show in some way that thoy are from persons having no personal or offloial relations with Mr. McKinley, aro put in a pile themselves. Envelopes which bear the frank of congressmen, or which show some evidence of being personal or from men of prominence, are laid aside for the personal inspection of the president or his secretary. But understand, if you are uddressing a letter to the president, that "Personal," or "Private," or "Confidential," written on the envelope will not bo rospected by the president's clerks. The president has marks by which his personal mail is distinguished. No letter which does not bear private mark gets past the president's secretary, even if it passes the executive clerks. So, if you have anything of a strictly confidential character to say to Mr. McKinley, you would better come to Washington and say it. If you put it on paper, it is bound to be seen by the president's people.

When the mail has been sorted, the part of it which is set aside for the president's secretary is taken into Mr. Porter's room. Mr. Porter sifts this mail. If th'^re are any letters personal to the president in it, he puts them on tho president's desk unopened. The others he opens. In some cases the signature tells him that letters are for the president personally, and those bo leaves unread. Most of the letters he reads and a few ho lays aside to answer The others he refers back to the clerks with general instructions. The answers to these letters are phrased by the clerks, but Mr. Porter reads them later and signs them with his own hand.

The Important Letter*.

Not more than 10 or 18 letters get past Mr. Porter to the president unread. Of the other mail not more than 10 or 13 letters aro answered personally by Mr. Porter. Of the letters which the president reads be may answer one with the pen. It must be a letter of very grave, confidential nature to receive that consideration. The remaining nine or ten letters the president returns to Mr. Porter, saying in each case what reply is to be made. Mr. Porter dictates the answers to his stenographer, and the president reads and signs them later.

The mail whioh sifts through the official bolting cloth and reaches the president is the most important grist of the postoffice mill, but the "tailings" are the most amusing. These are the letters written by men, women and children in all parts of the country, and their style is as varied as the character of the writers. The envelopes are addressed in 60 different ways. Some read: "His Excellency the President, Washington, D. O."

President McKinley, the White House. Washington." "Hon. William McKinley, the President of the United States." "Wm. McKinley, Jr., the President, Washington, D. C." 'To His Honor President McKinley, the Capitol."

There axe 60 different styles of address, and few of them arc according to the formula acceded by congress more than a century ago. This question of

the president's title was debated gravely by the lawmakers, and a resolution was introduced declaring that the president should be addressed as "HisExcellency." But this was withdrawn, and it was agreed that all communications from congress should be addressed, 'To the President of the United States." This, is the way official letters come to the president, but even members of congress often address him as "His Excellency," and those who knew the president before his election almost always address him by name. His old army comrades usually give him his army title, major, while "Mr. Wm. McKinley" and "William McKinley, Jr.," are not uncommon. Few misspell his name, though some leave out the "e." Mr. Cleveland's name was seldom misspelled, but Mr. Harrison was addressed as "Bengeman Harson" once, and a clerk in the local postoffice has an envelope addressed to "Benharrison," which contained a letter intended for the president.

Of course most of the president's correspondents want something. Some of them want office and send petitions and indorsements. Their papers are bundled up and sent to the department in which they want to be employed, accompanied by a printed slip of paper, signed "John Addison Porter, secretary." Others specify no place and file no indorsements, but appeal to the president for any employment. Some are veterans and apply on that ground. Others say they are competent to fill any place in the government service, and they want their merits considered. Still others are poor, and their appeals are sometimes pitiful, but they never reach the president's eye and never stir his sympathy. If the president undertook to read letters like these, be would have no time for public business.

Beggars and Cranks.

Some men and women want money. Occasionally there is a crank who demands a million cr so from the public treasury, but usually the letters are perfectly sane, sober communications from beggars who want something form Mr. McKinley's private purse. Some are modest and will take anything they can get. Some specify $26 or $50 or $100. Some want the money to pay debts or ward off starvation. Some ask the money on the simple ground that they want it. Some of the beggars say they know the president is rich, and sortie refer to his $50,000 salary. As a matter of fact, Mr. McKinley is poor, and his salary would not oover the demands that are made on his purse.

Another class of correspondents write for autographs, souvenirs, etc. A great many people write evidently needless letters in the hope that the answer will be signed by the president and will adorn an autograph collection. Autographs are not sent to casual correspondents. If a man of prominence writes or oalls at the White House for an autograph, he usually gets it The executive clerks keep a small supply of autographs on hand. They are written on cards, on which the name of the "Executive Mansion" appears in raised letters.

A few days ago a letter came to the White House addressed to "Grover Cleveland, Washington, D. C." It was postmarked at a Florida town March 8. Some one remarked that they had not heard of the inauguration down in Florida. "£hat is nothing remarkable," said the mail clerk. We will be getting letters for Grover Cleveland every day for six months, and after that they ^ill come at longer intervals indefinitely. We receive a great deal of mail every year addressed to Abraham Lincoln. Some letters come addressed to Andrew Jackson, and one day we had a letter directed to George Washington which was intended for the president of the United States."

The outgoing mail of the White House is almost as heavy as that which comes in. There are a dozen letters which, as I said, the president himself signs, There are half a hundred more which are signed by Mr. Porter, and there are several hundred communications of a formal character to which the facsimile of the signature of Mr. Porter is attached with a rubber stamp. These letters are printed in type which imitates the characters of the typewriting machine. Eight years ago these letters were actually written on the typewriter, and the White House clerks used to put in their odd hours making copies for future use. The government is not very progressive in business methods, and it was a uiug time before the typewriter gained a foothold in the executive mansion at all. Private Secretary Halford thought it was economy of time to have these forms printed, and he had several thousand of each kind prepared. Now the clerks draw entirely on the printed supply. These letters are formal acknowledgments of the receipt of letters from correspondents, or the formal statement that papers have been received and referred to a department which is named. These letters mean absolutely nothing.

All the White House mail, of course, is franked—that is, it goes without stamps. A good many years ago it was decided by congress that it was foolish for the government departments to buy stamps. It was like taking money oat of one of the government's pockets and putting it in another. So the "penalty envelope" was provided. Only official mail can be sent in this, and there is no limit to its weight or character.

The mail going and coming at the White House just now is greater, of coarse, than the normal business. Ton know the letters received at Canton making application for office numbered more than 98,000, and the local postoffice people say the mail coming to the executive departments in the past month has been heavier than for any other month in the history of the postal service. GBOBGS GRACTBA* BAIX.

Why Be Was Troubled.

You look troubled, old man." "I am. My wife has threatened to have me, and I'm afraid she won't"— town Topksa.

XVI CENTURY~T30WNS.

Indications of the Ugly Styles of the Empress Josephine—New Millinery.

[Special Correspondence.! fNEW YORK, May 8.—We ate threatened with the sixteenth century gowns and also those made famous by the Empress Josephine. I say threatened, because they are so terribly ugly that they may *»ell cause fear. There are two styles. One is low in the neck and broad around the waist and finished with battlemented pieces, each marked by a ridiculous little bow of ribbon. The skirt is plain all around, but has a train.

PARASOLS AND ACCESSORIES.

The waist does not reach the real waist line by about four inchea There is a deep vandyked collar or bertha at the neck. The sleeves are long and slashed, but gathered in close at the elbow. A deep laced cuff to match the collar is turned upward. In this style, where the waist is finished by the battlemented pieces, there are but two darts in front, and the rest is arranged to give as wide an effect as possible.

The empire or Josephine dress has a plain skirt laid in close plaits around the waist and falling loosely to the bottom. There is a gathered baby waist of the same material as that in the skirt. Under this is a sort of yoke or rich brocade, dark blue with silvery white. The gown was of ash gray peau de soie. Over this was a jacket of the brocade, very wide in the back and short. In front it curved down to a sharp point on each side. This hung open loosely, to show the front of the waist. There was a revers collar of the gray silk. The sleeves were puffed and had also three rows of shirring of the gray at the top, while the lower portions were of the brocade and tight. I was told that these two models had pleased so well that more than 20 orders had been taken for reproductions of them.

Fortunately for us all, we have a choice of many things for our summer gowns. The dainty lawns and organdies, for instanoe, make up so neatly that it is a real delight to look at them. Lawn frocks with two, three or four self ruffles, made with Spanish headings, are very popular. Some have laoe added in different fancies as additional trimming. One lovely blue lawn with white dots had two ruffles of this kind. The waist was a neat, plain Frenoh one, with full bishop sleeves. There was a ruffe of white lace at the neck and at the wrists. The belt, stock, wrists and the front of the skirt were all decorated with bows of dark blue ribbon. The black lace straw hat was trimmed with white lace, blue ribbon and blue gentians.

The summer gowns being of all these light and transparent materials, it becomes necessary to have parasols to match. These are in great variety. Plaid silks, moire, figured brocade, painted and in some cases silk covered, with a mesh of chenille or silk knotted and fringed, are all seen. These are often fairly covered on the underside with crepe lisse or chiffon ruffles or puffings. The handles are almost worthy of being classed among the works of art. A pretty little device is a sort of sunshade fan, in shape of a large pansy, with a regular parasol handle. These are large or small, as one may desire. Some axe as large as the old fashioned sunshades.

The colors on the new hats and bonnets grow brighter and more glaring every day, it seems. Some of the straws are as green as any grass that ever grew, or as red as poppies from the orient Yellow and red tulips grow from the tops of some of them in the great-

M11X1NERT FANCIES.

est profusion, leaves and all Some of them are topped with immense masses of crimson roses, and some have enormous bows of purple and green tulle. In fact, no color is too bright or bunch too big for a hat. Bows are made of coarse rush like straw braids. Shapes are any and all kinds. Many ladies affect the great picture hats, with masses of ostrich plumes. Indeed plumes have a place in the summer's millinery not often accorded. There ere hats that lode if they have come down from Noah's ark, so quaint and old fashioned they are. Everything that is becoming is fashionable now if only the trimming is made to stand up high and stiff.

TEBKE HAUTE SATURDAY EVENING MAIL, MAY 8, 1897.

Ouvx HARPBK.

Sthel—Is Reggy a victim of the cigarette habit? Algy—Oh, no but his friends axe. Be never buys any himself, yon know. —New York Journal.

FIGHT FOR A BIRDHOUSE.

flycatrfuT* Driven Out

by

Bluebirds.

Wfens the Final Victors.

"One spring," said a lover of birds, "there came to a birdhouse in my garden a pair of great crested flycatchers. I had a dozen bird houses scattered around. This particular one was about afoot square, with a peaked roof and a chimney at each end, a doorway for the birds to go in and out and a couple of auger holes bored through the back to give the house light a&d air. "This birdhouse, the summer before, bad been occupied by a pair of bluebirds, who bad left their neBt behind them. This nest the great crested flycatchers pulled apart and threw out of the house, every twig and straw. They cleaned the house out completely and then they brought in everything new and built a nest of their own and settled down comfortably for the summer. "But in a few days a pair of bluebirds came along, and they made for this house. It might have been the same identical pair of bluebirds,that, o*cupied it the summer before. I don't know about that, though I have no doubt that robins and other birds that have been south for the winter, hundreds of miles away, do come back in the spring to the same places and to the same trees. Anyhow this pair of bluebirds wanted that birdhouse, and they were ready to fight for it, and that is what they did. The flycatcher is a nice little bird and a pretty plucky sort of a fighter, but not a match for the bluebird. They had a grand round up inside the house, and finally the bluebirds pitched the flycatchers out, and later they pitched out every stick of furniture that the flycatchers had brought in, cleaned the house out entirely and then brought in fresh material and built a new nest according to their own ideas, and they settled down for the summer. "Well, a few days after that a pair of wrens came along, and they took a fancy to that particular birdhouse, too, and they sailed right in and tackled the bluebirds on the spot You couldn't see the fight from the ground, but every now and then yon could see a straw or a feather shoot out of the front door of the house. The bluebird is a good, sound fighter, but the wren is a better one, and the upshot was that the wrens fairly put the bluebirds out and took possession of the birdhouse themselves. And then the wrens did just what the others had done. They pitched out every scrap of stuff in the birdhouse—just tumbled it out of the door, to fall on the ground—and then they brought in new stuff and built a nest for themselves. "Nobody molested the wren a They staid there and raised their young there, and in the fall they all flew away and left the birdhouse again deserted for the winter."—New York Sun.

How Russian Caviare la Made.

Caviare is a very important product in Russia, the most of it coming from the sturgeon. The roe is taken out of the fish and rubbed on a sieve to remove the skin, the meshes being large enough to allow the eggs to paes through, leaving the skin behind* The caviare is then covered with brine. The difference between the fresh caviare and the ordinary kind put up for export is in the length of time it remains in the brine. After it is removed and drained it is put up in cans, jars and small kegs and is ready for market. The cheaper kind is put into linen bags and pressed. This is called pressed caviare and is a much inferior article.

How to Make Worcestershire Sauce.

Pound half an ounce of cayenne pepper, half an ounce of shallot and oneeighth of an ounce of garlic in a marble mortar, incorporating gradually a quart of white wine vinegar, then press it through a hair sieve. Add a quarter of a pint of Indian soy, then bottle and cork it for use. If yon find this method too tedious, after pounding the dry ingredients put them into a jar and pour the vinegar boiling on to them. Cover closely and let it stand till the vinegar has well extracted the flavor of the ingredients, and before bottling add the soy, This sauce improves by keeping.

How to Make Dainty Bonbon Boxes.

Very pretty bonbon boxes for a luncheon may be made at home. You will need cardboard boxes, one for every guest Cover them with creamy china silk over a layer of cotton wadding and decorate them with water colors. A pretty design is a delicate fern pattern in shades of cool green. Line the boxes with green crape paper, fill with candied violets and tie with bebe green ribbon. Put the guest's name across one corner. Boxes covered with linen and hand painted are exceedingly pretty.

How to Improve the Carriage.

An erect and graceful carriage is always a great charm in a woman. A stooping, slouching gait is ngly, and it is always advisable for young girls to have physical training and be taught how to carry themselves. Exercises which tend to develop grace of body and motian should be practiced daily, and it is as well to remember that the body needs as much training as the mind.

How to Make Toasted Cheese With Kggs.

Beat 8 tablespoonfnls of bread crumbs soaked in milk with 3 eggs, then add 9 feeaspoonfuls of made mustard, salt and pepper to taste and, lastly, half a pound of gated cheese. Beat all together lightly, spread evenly on slices of toast and place in the oven to brown quickly. Before sending to table strew a little dry grated cheese over.

Truth In a Xutabell.

Impure blood is the natural-result of close confinement in house, school room or shop. Blood is purified by Hood's Saraaparilla, and all the disagreeable results of impute blood disappear with the use of this medicine.

If you wish to feel well, keep your blood pure with Hood's Sarsaparilla. Hood's Pills are the best family cathartic and liver medicine. Gentle, reliable, sure.

One of the oldest institutions of learning in the West is the well-known Hartsville Col lege, situated at Hartsville, Indiana. This college was founded years ago in the interest of the United Brethren Church, when the 8tate was mostly a wilderness, and colleges were scarce, not only in Indiana, but all through the thpn alpiost unsettled central "West. The college being an old institution is well known throughout the country. former students having gone into all parts of the world.

PROF. ALVIN P. BABVABT.

A reporter recently made a trip to this fcmous seat of learning, and was shown into the room of the President, Prof. Alvin P. Barnaby. When last seen by the reporter Prof. Barnaby was in very delicate health, and much indisposed ana hardly able to attend to his duties. To-day he was looking well and hearty, and was apparently in the best of health. In response to an inquiry the professor said:

Oh, yes, I am much better, I assure you, than for some time. I am now in perfect health, and very much encouraged, and then my recovery was brought about in rather a peculiar way, after all.''

Tell me about it," said the reporter. Well, to begin at the beginning," said the professor, "I was about as stout a lad for my age as any of the boys. I put in my tuiously at school, endeavoriug educate myself for the professions. Alt completing the common course I came here, and graduated from the theological course. I then entered the ministry, and accepted the charge of a United Brethren Church at a small place in Kent County, Mich. Being of an ambitious nature, I was a constant student, and applied myself very diligently to my work and studies. In time I began to notice that my health was failing, ana after awhile it began to interfere with my duties. My first trouble noticeable, was indigestion ef the stomach, and this with other troubles also brought on nervousness. "I kept on with my studies and work, nntil it was too plainly noticeable that I was fast going down. My physician, whom I had consulted, prescribed for me for some time, and he advised me to take a change of climate, as it was my only remedy. I -finally did as he requested and my health) was sptne improved. Soon after this I' was offered a ohair in the Hartsville College and came here. I was professor in physics and chemistry and later on was financial agent of the college. The ehange seemed to agree with me, and for awhile my health was much better, but my duties were heavy, and again I found that my trouble was returning. This time it was more severe than before. In the winter time I became completely prostrated, and had to give up my position. This was two years ago last winter. I began treatment from the first, trying various medicines and different physicians, who were skilled in the treatment of such diseases. This trouble was however, by an attack of the

rip.preceded,

Finally, after some considerable time, was able to return to my duties. Last

it

730-733 Wabash

SCIENTISTS SAVED.

President Barnaby and Prof. Bowman of Hartsville College

Survive a Serious Illness Through the Aid of Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People—These Eminent Men Give an Unqualified Endorsement to this Valuable fledicine.

From the Republican, Cblumbxu, Ind.

BETTER THAN EVER

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spring I was elected president ef the college. Again, of course, I had considerable work on my hands, and the trouble, which at no time had been entirely cured, began to again affect me more than ever before, and last fall I collapsed. For quite awhile I battled with the trouble, but it seemed as if it was bound to get the better of me. I had diflerent doctors, and none of them did me any good. Professor Bowman, who is professor of natural science, told me of his experience with Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale Pe%le and urged me to give them a trial, because they had done him so much good in a similar case, I finally concluded to try them. "The first box of pills, to my astonishment, helped me, and the second box gave me great relief, such as I had never experienced from the treatment of any physician. After using some half dozen boxes of the medicine I was entirely cured. I continued the treatment with the result that to-day I am perfectly well. I feel better and stronger than for the last eight years, and weigh more than I ever did in my life and am steadily gaining. During my illness I fell off from 130 pounds to 118, Dut now I have more than regained my former weight. I think now that I tip the scales at about 150 pounds.

I am now doing as much work in the college as before, ana am doing considerable studying and reading without the least diffi. culty. My nervous system is perfectly strong, ana I have no signs whatever of indigestion.

I can most certainly recommend this medicine to any who suffer from like troubles." To allay all doubt to strangers as to the truth of his story. Prof. Barnaby cheerfully made an affidavit before

LYMAN J. Sct'DDKL^ Notary Public. The reporter decided to interview Prof. Bowman in regard to his case, which had been mentioned by President Barnaby.

Prof. Bowman, on being asked regarding his illness and cure by Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People, said that he was pleased to say that it was so, and was just as President Barnaby had said.

Prof. Bowmnn is also a minister of the gospel, and for a number of years was pastor of the United Brethren Church at Charlotte, Mich., before coming to Hartsville. His sick* ness is best told in his own words. "A year ago last fall," continued the profeasor^ I broke down with nervous exhaustion, and for some time I was unable to properly attend to my duties. I tried different physicians but with no relief, and also used many different proprietary medicines. I then succumbed to a siege of the grip in the middle of winter, ana was left in a much worse condition. My kidneys were fearftilly disordered, and my digestion became very poor. I was indeed becoming in a bad condition. A minister in conference learning of my condition advised me to try Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People. I had heard much about the wonderful curative powers of this medicine, but it was with reluctance that I was finally persuaded to try it, as it xeemed that nothing could do me any giod. However, I procured three boxes of pills. I used the entire three boxes of pills, taking them strictly according to directions, and by the time the last aose was used, I was almost completely cured, and in better health than for years before. kept on-takings them awhile longer, and now I am entirely cured, with no signs, whatever, of any returning trouble. I can cheerftilly recommend Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People."

Such was Professor Bowman's wondsrftal story which was further endorsed by an affl* davit before

LYMAN J. SCUDDER, Notary Public. Dr.Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People are now given to the public as an unfailing blood builder and nerve restorer, curing all forms of weakness arising from a watery condition of the blood or shattered nerves. The pills are sold by all dealers,or will be sent post paid on receipt of price, 50 cents a box or six boxes for $2.50, (they are never sold in bulk or by the 100), by addressing Dr. Williams' MsdisiM Company, Schenectady, N. Y.

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