The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1869-07-29
President or King.n

LII tile DeILcr QdHS Vi Inc hcpuD-
lic," it was not charged that Presidents
and members of Cabinets used the
public property for private purposes.
If the President and his Cabinet de-
sired to make pleasure trip, It was
done st their own expense. The peo-
pie pay them salaries for their sup
port, and they are expected to pay
their own way like others. But now
all of.this is changed. Public func-
tionaries have no longer any idea of
economy. Modest" President Grant
is not content to travel like other peo-
pie, by the means of conveyance com
| mon to all. He must have vessel of
war at his service whenever he choos-
es to take trip from the White House
to summer watering place. The Al
bany Erening Journal condemns the
Imperial procIiyities of the President
as follows:
1t is said that the steamer Tallapoo-
sa, heretofore connected with the West
Indian squadron, and lately especially
employed in guarding American in
terests upon the Cuban coast, has been
ordered home; and for a purpose
which, If correctly stated, will cer-
tainly not secure general appreciation.
The family of President Grant will
| spend several weeks at Long Branch.
It is his intention to meet them there
at intervals.
For the accommodation of himself
and family, a valuable national vessel
is to be detached from public service
and employed in the ignoble mission
of an Individual pleasure craft. A
large crew of men will be required
and very considerable running expen.
ses incurred, that the President ma.
| travel by other means than those usu
| ally within the reach of private citi-
Zels.
There is something in this assign.
lmeht OF Especial trains, and g spe.
cial vessels to high public function
aries, which savors too much of the
aristocratic spirit that prevails in for.
eign countries; of the separation be-
tween rulers and people. 1t is moi
strange that an Emperor or Viceroy
should adopt these peculiar methods
of distinction; for the whole plan aI
personal Government centres in the
eXclusiveness of the monarch and hii
ACKNOWLEDGMENT. But the theory of {
liberal Republic is universal equality
The Presldent is merely a citizen
charged for the time being with espe
cial duties. He has really no more Eigh
to use Government property for hi
individual enjoyment OF satisfaction
than has any other person. The cost O.
keeping war steamer afioat, with it
crew of more than one hundred an0
fifty, and its large consumption of flu.
el, is very considerable item-con
siderably more than should be appro
, priated tor pleasure trips to Ions
Branch, by small party of oficia
magnates,
This snbyersien of a vessel from 1T
proper and legitimate employment j
an abuse of authority, 1t is as if {
, fiduciary agent, charged with the nd
ministration of large property
should set apart a portion of it to pur
, chase himself ltixuries. There ar
many methods of conveyance b,
which the President and, his friend
could go to and fro between Wash
ington and Long Branch-methodi
entirely satisfactory to the most re
fined and tasteful private citizens. W.
fail TO see why they should not b.
deemed sufficient, especially when
is evident that our naval squadron up
: on the Cuban coast is none too larg,
for the adequate protection of Amer
, iean commerce in that quarter. i.'as.
We give the journal credit for ad
ministering this rebuke to the gfea
leader and representative of the Re
. publican party, Let US see what vii
be the next step of the tmodest
President toward kinulY power. -