The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-08-23
GRANT As A UOAFER.
A Record Of Presidential Jsskesins asd
FrelickIng.

Mr. John ID. Defrees hiss. with great
industry. compiled from the history Of
the past three years a detailed state
rcent of the absences by the President
and his Cabinet from Washington. no,
on public business, but for junketing
and frolicking IN all parts of the coun-
try. In 1869, the Cabinet meeting held
on Sept. "a was the first full meeting
held since the LIST Of June preceding.
In 1870, the absences began in April,
and continued. with slight Interrupt
tions. until Oct. 3.
In 1871, the President began his
flights in April. returning finally on
Oct. Z. The first Cabinet meeting Of
any kind for manv weeks, and the FIRST
full one for months. was held Oct 10.
In 1872, thu President was absent in
JANUARY, February, March. and May,
for several days At q time, Congress
being In session; and on the Sd of
June, the morning after Congress ad-
journed, he FASTENED 10 Long Branch.
The record OF the absences Of the
several Secretaries makes even q worse
showing than this. How strongly does
this sustain the following from Mr..
Summers speechs
Not only are Constitution and hw 6us-
garded, but the Presidential ofbce ifeelf i
treated ~ little more than . plaything and .
Perquisate: when not the former. then tie |
Ssttsr. Here the details are ample, showing
how from the beginning this august Trust has
dzopped n be . personal induigeDce. whsrs |
palace-cars, fast horsee. and sea-zlde loiser1np
1Qure more than duree-
Mr.. Defrees sums up the record with |
the following suggestive observations:
During al the time Of this Absence and \
neglect Of business on the part Of President |
and Cabinet, they take good care to receive |
their salanss ct tie cad o. each month IN full. |
The President resolves SIXIY-EIGHT and l
per day,
Ths man who tcie IN the wurkshop or b l
the minee receives from two to three dollan i
PEI DAY. II he be abeenf few hour IN NJ 4
tendance on . ssck wife or dying child. Is may
be, he il "dccked' for the time lost, Why
should not the time Lost by the Prssidsnt and
Cabinet be deducted from their pay? Why 10
, that q sauce for the goose Should nos b
sauce for the gnnder" n this insfances Can
any honest man tell?
The man Of ton IL compelled to be absenf.
but these esn0emea are absent for purposes
of pleasure, or private speculation some
times. il may be. IN ways that are dAxk. n
~ PcVpse eApeLeS- 4
The country has borne this thing too
long. The Presidency is great trust,
and not a mere grant Of privileges il
% public Office, the duties Of which re-
luire dignity, honesty and labor, and
not a mere honorary title, with license
70 the bearer to engage in dissipation,
not, luxury and worse. Gen. Grant ~
! citizen may, rs before his Presidency
ne was accustomed to do, indulge his
tastes to the full extent Of
mis- collections, and At his own ex-
pense; but in sccepting the ofsoe Of
President he accepted the incon
veniences of residing at Washington,
md of attending TO public business. and
IF leading. at least in the public eye,
life of decorum and dignity. These
absences from the seat OF Government
~ the President. and the frequent dis
OF all business BY the
executive officers sre without pre-
,edent in the history Of the country
Chicago Tr6tse.