The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-03-27
PROFITS or THE FRAUD.


WASHINGTON March 2G.-Mr Hayes has
| held the Office to which no was not c.setcd Tor
more than year and during that time he has
| drawn from the Treasury over $50 600 as salary
! Ono VI his FIRST acts after the meeting Of Con-
gress was to send in n bill for an alleged def
cheney in the salaries and contingencies OF the
White House for the last fiscal year. although
the usual appropriations had been fully made
for every expense on II liberal scale. What be-
came Of that money for the quarter between
March and July. which could not be drawn in
advance has not been explained. Congress.
however. voted him nearly $1,000 instead OF
5000. which he modestiy asked.
The estimates for the next fiscal year include
items for the White House which never APP
pcared before in such n category. Among
others. a carriage and horses. u driver under
the name OF messenger, repairs. and the Ike.
| figuring up thousands which Honest John
| Sherman seeks to fastcn on the taxpayers. after
| the manner in which he feeds his own horses
by appropratine the forage which Gen. Shcr-
| man charges to the Treasury for imaginary
stock.
1t il doubtful II Mr.. Hayes has expended ono
| fifth OF the salary received in the past year.
| The expenses Of living at the White House are
| grossly exaggerated for effect. II il furnished.
heated lighted watcrcd and equipped in
every respect. with n butler. messengers, a
| large vegetable garden. costly greenhouses,
| and other convcnicncrs all Of n very luxurious
| sort. In fact the only expense incurred 10y the
| incumbent is the maintenance Of his family
| and the ceremonious dinners. The receptions
| which jenkins delights to describe whether by
day or 10y night do not cost him u dime. for the
lights. the attendants and the flow1rs. which
form the only elements OF expense, are paid for
by the public Treasury.
The habit Of all Presidents has been TO extend
the Inequalities Of the White House To members
of Congress without regard to party. to the
judiciary. and the diplomat body SO much is
obligatory. and after that Is done. the President
! exercises his own discretion. and taste. and
! libcrality. Tas conventional usage rests upon
Il basis II propriety. and tho large salary was
granted with the expectation that 1t would be
always observed bccomingly.
From Washington down to Grant every Presi-
dent was paid ;2jooO "A year and none ever
complained that the salary was insufficient.
| though u refined. aud even generous. hospi-
tally was the rule during moro than eighty
years. The Republicans doubled the pay OF the
Office for the last term OF Grant. in the salary
grab bill and the people swept away at the en-
suing election the great majority that perpe-
tratcd the outrage.
The courtesy due to the representatives Of
foreign Governments at Wash ington makes IL
n part OF the unwrttcn social law that the Pres
idcnt shall take the first proper opportuni tv
after entering Office TO invite them to his
table. Until now this canon has never been
violatoi, but. on the contrary. has been observed
with the most liberal construction. The omis-
sion Of il implies vulgar rudcnoss. gross igno-
rance. and bad breeding. Mr. Hayes has given
but three formal dinners since he was installed
in the Office TO which Mr.. Tildcn was elected
The first Of these entertainments was in com
pmcnt 10 the Grand Duke Alexis. whom Grant
and Fish had grossly snubbed on account OF
their nasty quarrel with Cntacazy. That dinner
was the subject of much discussion ut the time
and let the public into an interior view Of tho
management Of the White House. Tho better
half Of Mr.. Hayes insisted thut wine should be
excluded from the table. and finally compro-
missed by admitting IL for that occas ion. with a
condition Of future prohibition. thus proving
her devotion ne n crusader and ms an economist
The two dinners that followed were composed
OF "a mixed company Of officials and members
OF Congress. entertained with cold water. weak
tea. and diluted coffee. prescribed 10y the " Mrs
r. b. Hayes Temperance Society Of angular
matrons and ancient maidcns. who were
shocked at the American sherry and cham
payne that were frugally dispensed 10 the
Grand Dukes party Less than one hundred
guests enjoyed this formal hospitality DUR NJ
the whole year. and. considering the mode OF
entertainment. s. II head would be a liberal
charge for it.
The diplomatic body have been for the FIRST
time wholly ignored in the accustomed civili-
ties Of the White House. and hardly more than
tenth part Of the two Houses of Congress have
been invited. Mr., Hayes receives about sl37 d
day In salary without reckoning the extras. Il
is therefore apparent, with little figuring, that
he is doing n thriving business. and II he
should be turned out. he would still retire with
a comfortable competency for the rest Of his
days.
The great Fraud has proved to be immensely
profitable To the Managers Hayes rs u de factC
President Evar's as Secretary Of State, Sher'
man as Secretary of the Treasury, McCrary rs
Secretary Of War. Noycs ms Minister to France
Stoughton IA Min.ste to Russia. kasson rs
Minister to Austria. Comfy ms Minister 10 Hon
olulu. Lee as Consul General at Frankfort
Shellabarger as standing counsel at Washing
ton, Wells as Surveyor at New Orleans ono son
as Deputy and another as Inspector. Anderson
as Deputy Collector. Stearns as Commissioner
Of the Hot Springs. McLin rejected rs Judge
but TO be provided for elsewhere, and n host o
others. are shining examples OF the successful
conspiracy. But the end is not yet, and they DC
well to make hay while the sun shines.
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