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Story
April 19, 1888
The Evening World
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
During a congressional investigation into the Government Printing Office, it's revealed that Major Pruden had President Cleveland's marriage certificate elaborately bound there using public funds costing $8-10, a practice Cleveland later ended upon discovery. The President, unaware initially, supports the probe.
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PRIVATE WORK FOR PRESIDENTS
Mr. Cleveland's Marriage Certificate Brings About a White House Revelation,
[SPECIAL TO THE WORLD.]
Washington, April 19.—Quite a breeze was created this morning in the Committee on Printing, where an investigation of the methods of the present and former administrations of the Government Printing Office had been in progress for several weeks. Major Pruden, assistant private secretary to the President, was put on the stand to tell what he knew about the elaborate binding at the Government bindery of the marriage certificate of the President and Mrs. Cleveland. Chairman Richardson, learning that evidence would be produced in this relation, acquainted the President with the facts and asked his advice as to the best course to be pursued in the matter. The President, who for the first time learned that his certificate of marriage had ever been within the walls of the Government Printing-Office, at once replied:
'Go ahead with your investigation; never mind where it strikes.'
From the researches of Mr. Richardson it appears that Pruden, who writes a fine Italian hand, engrossed a copy of the marriage certificate of the President and, after securing the signatures of Rev. Dr. Sunderland, who performed the ceremony, and the members of the Cabinet who witnessed it, took it to the printing office and requested Mr. Rounds, the late Public Printer, to bind it. Mr. Rounds turned it over to his most skilful workmen, who succeeded in producing a thing of beauty and a joy forever, with the aid of several skins of morocco and an abundance of gold leaf. This was returned to Mr. Pruden, who presented it to the President with his compliments. The President, supposing it to be a token of kindly esteem from his assistant private secretary, accepted it with thanks.
Mr. Pruden testified to-day that it had been customary to have private work for the President done at the Government Printing Office during past administrations, but that when President Cleveland discovered this fact he had ordered the practice discontinued.
Mr. White, foreman of the bindery, testified that instead of being a free-will offering of Mr. Pruden, it cost Uncle Sam $8 or $10. The President smiles at the whole affair, but Mr. Pruden is very sorry that he did not take the certificate to a private bindery, for his fellow-clerks at the White House are likely to make his life a burden for some time to come.
Mr. Cleveland's Marriage Certificate Brings About a White House Revelation,
[SPECIAL TO THE WORLD.]
Washington, April 19.—Quite a breeze was created this morning in the Committee on Printing, where an investigation of the methods of the present and former administrations of the Government Printing Office had been in progress for several weeks. Major Pruden, assistant private secretary to the President, was put on the stand to tell what he knew about the elaborate binding at the Government bindery of the marriage certificate of the President and Mrs. Cleveland. Chairman Richardson, learning that evidence would be produced in this relation, acquainted the President with the facts and asked his advice as to the best course to be pursued in the matter. The President, who for the first time learned that his certificate of marriage had ever been within the walls of the Government Printing-Office, at once replied:
'Go ahead with your investigation; never mind where it strikes.'
From the researches of Mr. Richardson it appears that Pruden, who writes a fine Italian hand, engrossed a copy of the marriage certificate of the President and, after securing the signatures of Rev. Dr. Sunderland, who performed the ceremony, and the members of the Cabinet who witnessed it, took it to the printing office and requested Mr. Rounds, the late Public Printer, to bind it. Mr. Rounds turned it over to his most skilful workmen, who succeeded in producing a thing of beauty and a joy forever, with the aid of several skins of morocco and an abundance of gold leaf. This was returned to Mr. Pruden, who presented it to the President with his compliments. The President, supposing it to be a token of kindly esteem from his assistant private secretary, accepted it with thanks.
Mr. Pruden testified to-day that it had been customary to have private work for the President done at the Government Printing Office during past administrations, but that when President Cleveland discovered this fact he had ordered the practice discontinued.
Mr. White, foreman of the bindery, testified that instead of being a free-will offering of Mr. Pruden, it cost Uncle Sam $8 or $10. The President smiles at the whole affair, but Mr. Pruden is very sorry that he did not take the certificate to a private bindery, for his fellow-clerks at the White House are likely to make his life a burden for some time to come.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Social Manners
Justice
What keywords are associated?
Marriage Certificate
Government Printing Office
President Cleveland
Congressional Investigation
Public Funds
White House Revelation
What entities or persons were involved?
President Cleveland
Mrs. Cleveland
Major Pruden
Chairman Richardson
Rev. Dr. Sunderland
Mr. Rounds
Mr. White
Where did it happen?
Washington
Story Details
Key Persons
President Cleveland
Mrs. Cleveland
Major Pruden
Chairman Richardson
Rev. Dr. Sunderland
Mr. Rounds
Mr. White
Location
Washington
Event Date
April 19
Story Details
An investigation reveals that President Cleveland's marriage certificate was bound at the Government Printing Office using public funds, a customary but discontinued practice under his administration; he supports the inquiry upon learning of it.