The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-10-06
PRESIDENTS WHO TOOK NO GIFTS.

der of their rebel armies-nothing but b
actual expenses as an officer, his account I
I which being model Of accuracy and consc
entious discrimination. His property
Virginia ran down to rather low prices durin
= the darker years of the war, and especial
when that versatile and Independent polit
: elan, Arnold, made his excursion up th
) James River. At the close of the war, @
directly afterwards, the Generals lands wer
worth more in actual exchangeable value thai
they were in the beginning of It's. Unde
his judicious management from tn
date of his return from the arm!
and until he went to New Yorl
to assume the Presidential office, il
spite of innumerable benefactions and chart
ties, his estate grew in value at the rate of q
least fifteen per cent each year and probably
more, as he was very skilltul planter and ar
able accountant and fnancier. While Presi
dent his attention was almost entirely
absorbed with perplexing and complicated
public affairs, and he had but little time to
conduct his private business otherwise than
by correspondence. But while his expenses
exceeded his salary his estate increased even
during his eight years of absence, result due
in part to the care and excellent management
Of his most exemplary and devoted wife, who
was distinguished even among the house
wives of Virginia, then as now and always re-
nowned for their administrative skill. For
that period Washington was considered
wealthy any time from his fortieth year to the
close of his life. He was never "short :"
He always knew beforehand what he was
going to want and when the time came he
it.
Adams was plain and frugal man, with
property of his own, and able to live within
his salary.
Jefferson did not love property, but was
considered rich. After his official term closed,
he expended money out of proportion to his
income, his tastes being magnificent, his dis
position generous, and his hospitality un-
bounded. His circumstances for the last
twelve or fifteen years Of his life were not pros
porous. He was sometimes "short," but
would sell nothing dear from sentiment or
valued from association.
Madison always had enough, although his
favorite pursuits brought no income. He
contracted no debts for the qualification of his
elegant and highly cultivated tastes, but lived
always in genteel but plain and moderate in
dependence.
OF President Monroe it need only be said
that he had the pride, the patriotism and the
honor of Virginia gentlemen who dreaded
loan as nuisance and repealed political
gift as he would personal attack. He was
worthy of the high post to which he was
called, and made its salary suffice for all his
The second Adams Twill there be third p
was methodical, frugal, and essentially an
without much love Of property.
What he had he kept or used wisely. He was
never "short." His salary suficed for his
subsistence and something more.
His renowned, sinewy, stern and heroic sue
,essor was not lover of money, except for the
axe ofthose who were dear to him. He entered |
N his term independent, had no extravagant
habits whatever, was systematic and judicious
ven in his iberality, and left Office about as
Ie began. He disliked debts and made none
Ie had more than enough for all his wants,
nd never let the vice of avarice seduce him
nto any illiberality or speculation. The tenn
'erance, industry, energy and frugality of
lis earlier life had secured to him about all
10 wanted. The consequence of this and
lis forecast was that he was never "short "
nough to depend upon another's treasury.
Martin Van Buren's thrift enabled him to
i've elegantly on the income from his prop
rty. He drew his four years salary as Presi-
ent only on the last day of his term, and
hen in one draft of 100000.
"Tippecanoe and Tyler too" we're CON-
,rtably circumstance, and had as much as
UGH gentlemen usually require They took
o presents, contracted no debts, and were
ever "short" Mr.. Polk was independent
hen he took that oath of Office which he
ever for one moment forgot. Gen. Taylor
ad handsome and sufficient estate, &C
uired in part by frugal reservations from his
my pay. Accepting the candidacy from the
Thig party with what was scarcely short of
he never thought of gaining profit
ON the Office in any form. Though differ
q in tastes, Mr.. Fillmore likewise had enough
his own, and sought no gain from the Office
hich devolved upon him. He entertained
egantly and literally, but probably within
is private and official income. He took
D gifts, contracted no debts, and was never ,
short"
Gen. Pierce, likewise model American in
talents, character, elegance /.
i'd honor, was no less scrupulous about re- .
swing favors in money, loans or other form. j..
Mr.. Buchanan was wealthy not only during |
is term of service as President, but long be- I
re, as we'll as to the ose Of his life. Not q
ollar of his sufficient property was political I
1T of any kind. He never dulled the edge 6
official conscience by receiving loan. 8
MIR, Lincoln was comfortably supplied from ,