Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1874-08-08
General wa.hInstons Coach and Six.

10 y COuiluSCut luiu. huON uiS, SSh
tlemen, to recall to your recollection
the facts relating to the first Presidents
compensation aud equipaSe.
At the first session of the first Con-
gress, which assembled in New York
on the fourth Of March, 1889, a CON-
mittee of twelve members of the House
of Representatives was appointed to
take into consideration the compensa-
ton of the President Vice President
and members of both Houses, and to
report upon the same at their convent
ence. The committee had the matter
under consideration for several months.
This long delay was owing, in part, to
the very great difference of opinion
among the members as to the amount
of the different salaries. Some Of them
were disposed to fix the Presidents sal
airy as low as fifteen thousand dollars,
aud others were inclined to place it as
high as stv.nty thousand. AT length
the committee reported, advising that
the salary of the President be twenty
thousand dollars year, and that he be
provided with furnished house, secre-
taries, clerks, plate, carriages and horses
at the public expense. On the thirteenth
of July, 1899, the House Of Represen-
tatives, took this report into considera-
ton, and debated it at considerable
length.
The clause relating to the providing
of house aud equipage was at once
objected to, and it was moved to strike
it out, which led to an animated discus
sion. Mr. Tucker was Of opinion that
for new President to buy plate and
furniture would subject him TO great
inconvenience, unless he received a
years salary in advance, and when he
retired to private life, they would not
sell for half their first cost lie, there
fore, wished the public to provide house
furniture and plate, but not horses and
carriages.
Mr. Madison, afterwards President,
thought that horses and carriages would
also cost new President great deal
of money, and would rot sell for much
upon his retirement. He was, there
fore, of opinion that, if furniture and
plate should be provided, equipage
should be also.
Mr. Stone favored the payment OF a
cuflicient salary. without any extras.
The President, he thought, ought to
live in any style he Judged most proper.
"But," said he, ''if you furnished him
with house, horses and carriages, You
declare that this is the house, the
horses, and the carriages which he shall
use. But he may not choose to use
them. He may prefer equipage more
splendid or more plain; and surely II
President chooses to live i'll an econom
icaI manner, We ought not to prevent
him.
Mr.. Vining, on the contrary, was Of
opinion that the President Of the Unit
cd States, being the representative of
the Nation, was bound in propriety TO
maintain a certain appearance OF dignl-
ty, and the House had right to show
what they expected of him in this re-
spect.
After further debate, it was decided
to strike out the clause assigning the
Presidents horses, carriages, furniture
and plate at the expense of the public,
and to pay him a salary large enough
TO admit of his providing these things
for himself
Then arose the question, what should
be the amount of the salary; and this
led to another days debate. One gen
tleman proposed to pay the President
twenty-six thousand dollars for the first
year, and sixteen thousand dollars for
every other year He proposed, also,
that be should be paid ten thousand
dollars the first year in advance, to meet
the great expenses Of providing house
and equipage. Other gentlemen favored
thirty thousand dol!ais year; and at
length, upon motion of Mr.. John Page,
of Virginia, the sum was fixed at TWEEN
ty-fve thousand.
President Washington, before this
decision had been reached, had ordered
a handsome coach from England, which
arrived in the course Of the year 1889.
The body and wheels were Of a cream
color, then very fashionable, with gilt
relief, and the body was suspended mp
on the old fashioned, heavy leathern
straps, like those upon which stage
coaches were formerly suspended. Part
of the sides and front were shaded by
green Venetian blinds, enclosed by
black leather curtains. The lining of
the coach was Of a black glossy leather.
The Washington arms We're handsome
ly painted on the doors, with the motto
so perfectly characteristic Of Washing
ton-Exitus acta probat-tne result
proves actions. Upon each Of the four
panels of the coach was picture eni-
blematic Of one Of the seasons, executed
by an Italian artist of reputation.
In this substantial vehicle the Presi-
dent used TO ride about Manhattan Is
land, which furnished one OF the most
beautiful drives 10 the world, called the
"FoGrteen Miles Round" It led up
what is now the Bowery and Third
then called the Boston Road,
which commanded beautiful view Of
the East river, lined with farms and
country seats; then across the upper
part of the Island, and down by the
BloorningdaIe road broadway to the
city again. 1t is impossible TO imagine
q more lovely combination Of cultivated
land, lofty bluff, and living, than this