The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-03-27

were raised from ono 10 three thousand
dollars, AMI now they are six thousand, m
the face Of the double salary enacted BY
the hoek-pay gabbers Of the Forsy-seeond
Congress-
There ism great drlusion in tho public
mind purposely created at Washington IN
regnfd 70 the expenses which the President
is supposed 70 incur b. his Official func-
tons The receptions do not cost him a
single dime. The lights, heatings, music,
flowers, attendants and ushers, arc all pro-
vided for from the Treasury, and no re-
frcshments Of any kind are ever served.
The so-called state dinners are more
limited in number under Grant than any
ofthc other Presidents. They are confined
to certain selected members Of Congress,
the heads Of legislation only, the Judges 81
the Supreme Court, and few favorites.
Altogether not more than one hnndrcd
and fifty guests we're entertained at thcm
/ last winter.
Heretofore, the usage has been for the
I President 10 invite both branches of Con.
/ gress at regular intervals 10 dine with him,
without regard TO politics at ALL General
Grant has narrowed this honored custom
down to his own partisans aud small
section from the Opposition, who have
voted without seruple for Ring measures
and liberal appropriations
The private hospitality Of the White
House is niggardly, If not actually mean,
AN the groceries and other supplies are Oh,
tanned from the army commissariats al
wholesale prices, 0fcourse the President
gets the pick Of everything Subordlnatei
seeking promotion take care Of that. A
large kitchen garden attached to the White
House, kept at the public expense, fur
nishes vegetables for his table. The green
houses, maintained at cost Of $40, 900 /
year, provide the ornamental flowers, ant
the horses in the stable are fed free.
There is good reason to believe that I
large part Of certain appropriations, whicl
were never made until Grant inaugurateC
the scandal, is diverted to maintaining hi
household, so that he may be said to liv,
almost without cost in princely style. Ye
he solicited the increase Of his salary an,
laid the foundation for the indecent grail
which contributed largely to the downfall
Of the Republican party.
Every President from Washington I,
johnson was content with the old salary
Some Of them, who were by no means pc
nurious, and maintained generous estab
lishment, retired with considerable bal
.. ance on the credit side Of the bank account
Mr.. Buchanan always lived Ike gentle
man, entertained the Prince Of Wales an,
suite as his guests without sending bill t,
Congress, and kept hospitablc house. H
did not spend all his pay. Mr.. LincOll
savedquite $50, 200, and Mr. johnson near
ly as much, although his guests were NOR
than treble those Of his greedy successor.
When the Presidents salary was mad,
, $50 600 year instead Of s25 900, prom
isc was openly made in the House that thes
|, shameful perquisitas would be cut of. |
has not keen kept, but quite the reverse
true, for Mr.. Garfield and his confedC
: rates have expanded them and added new
! items. And this, too, in the midst Of
general suffering and in the presence o
new taxation.--NeIo York Sun