Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-01-01

General Grant is unquestionably the most
thrifty President who has occupied the Execu-
tive Mansion for years, not even excepting
James Buchanan. He will retire at the close
Of his term the richest Of all our Presidents.
His extraordinary and uniform good fortune
has followed him in the investment Of his mon
ey - in everything else, and every talent" has
been made to yield full harvest Grant hsb-
its and tastes, like those Mr.. Lincoln, are very
frugal and simple. He has one weakness, which
in other men, might lead to extravaganza, namely,
an inordinate fondness for horsefesh. But with
his shrewdness, he eindulges this luxury at COM
paratively little expense. He is good judge Of
a horse and has been known to make some very
advantageous "trades or "swaps." 1t is said
that famous Michigander who is the terror Of
the British lion-Zach Chandler-once sold Grant
= pair Of horses which did not turn out repre-
sented, and which he purchased on Chandler's
word, without having seen them. II the Senator
expected to C. SELL the President as well az the
hoyses, he was doomed to disappointment, for
Grant did not drive them half q dozen times un-
til he made Chandler take them back and refund.
The Presidents st. Louis farm, which is stocked
with some of the best blooded animals in the
country, furnishes him with all the horses
he needs at comparatively little cost
The surplus is quietly worked off at
private sale, yielding, it is SAID, good
profit. Mrs. Grant is one Of the best managers.
II he knows how to fight battle and drive a
horse she understands all about housekeeping,
tons on the childrens clothes. These arc excel
lent accomplishments in any woman, or rather
they were 80 regarded when Mrs. Grant WAS a
girl From what have said OF the habits and
tastes of the President and Of the character OF
Mrs. Grant you will not be surprised to learn that
Grant saves Of his salary than any Of his pre-
decessors. The household of the Executive
Mansion is run upon sensible, economical prin-
cples, and yet there is no lack Of hospitality.
It is very seldom that it is without a guest OF
two of some kind. In addition to the customary
=" state dinners" which consist of members OF
the Cabinet, of the Diplomatic corps, Justices
Of the Supreme Court and mobs Of Congress-
men, the family or private dining room is fire.
posed of the Presidents personal friends.
A large proportion of the expenses Of running
the White House is borne by the Government.
The entire appropriation for this purpose for the
present fiscal year is 1928, 200. This includes
the Presidents salary, the salaries Of his secre-
taries, clerks, messengers, policemen, usherS,
watchmen furnace keeper, steward, and fol-
fuel light, taking care Of the mansion, repairs
plumbing and gas-titting, stationery and contin.
gent expenses. With the exception Of the stew
ard, the President employs and pays out of hif
salary all his household servants, cooks, walters
chambermaids coachmen, footmen, etc. But
the list is not long, and the cost no more, il as
much, as for the servants Of any private gentle
man. heard President Johnson say, on one
occasion, that it cost him about $4,000 year tc
live while he was in the Executive Mansion, ant
he remained here all the year round from Janu
| uary to January. President Grant is usually alb
sent six months Of every year on an average, ant
| it is presumed that his expenses when travelling
| or at Long Branch are less than in the White
| House.