The daily gazette., 1879-06-14

PERHAPS the most able, as it was GER
certainly the most brilliant in results,
administration of the Presidential office,
was the four years Of President Polk.
Under it all that region embracing Cali
fornia, Arizona and New Mexico was ac- |
uuired, as we'll as Texas, by the war for |
the annexation of that great and fertile |
empire, as large as five of such States as
New York. The total acquisitions by
Mr.. Folks administration were about
equal to the whole of the thirteen origi-
nal States and territories and so far as
Its fertility to sustain population greatly
superior. The war with Mexico was
forced upon the country while under
= Democratic Congress and as a new
Democratic administration came into
power, with an empty treasury and the
Whig party opposing the war at every
step. Mr.. Folks administration carried
on the war put the whole of Mexico at
the disposal of Congress; closed up the
conquest and brilliant career OF our
armies; paid of all the debt, except, per-
haps, about $sO,0O0,000 of bonds, which
were taken up in few years afterward
by the money which had flowed into the
Treasury through the adoption Of the
tariff of 1S46.
The wife of the late President Polk
still lives in Tennessee, where she is
almost idolized by all parties for her ex
cellent virtues, and of whom it has beer
lately stated in the newspapers she wa
the most unassuming, plain, beautiful
and accomplished lady that ever presid
ed at the White House. Her only equa
being Miss Lane, also unassuming an
remarkable for her amiability and tn
elegance of her department. Mrs. Pol
has recently been visited by some of he
former acquaintances while in the Whit
House, and who drew from her man
remarks of her husbands career
Washington. The GAZETTE has her
tofore expressed its opposition to Il
increased salary of the President, al
nearly every Democratic State Conventio
which sent delegates to the National Co
vention in1676 passed resolutions in fav
of reducing the salary to $25 200, what
was previous to Grants election. We fiji
the following brief reference to NJ
Polk in that sterling Democratic pap
the Reading Eagle, and copy it
show how differently the Democra
Presidents lived in the days before
frauds of Returning Boards had an ,
istence, when it was an honor to
elected to the Chief Magistracy, and t
Office was not sought and held for I
money it brought:
"Mrs. President Polk speaks of /
hospitality which she obtained in t
White House during the administrati
of her husband. Entertainments W,
frequent, but formal and dignifi
"While in public Office, Mr.. Polk an
lived up to what he made, but we W
careful not to 60 beyond" This wa
prudent, practical maxim. The const
official dinners were serious item
expense, and Mrs. Polk adds: "Y
know the salary Of the President ,
not what it is now. Every expense C
nected with them was borne by
President. The House was lighted
heated, porter and messenger emplo
and other expenses met out of the Pr
dents income. For the same out
there is now an appropriation mat
The salary is now twice as large.
large conservatory with kitchen-gar
attachment and a number of serv
maintained at public cost. Rent is
and President bent on making mo
out of his position can overlook
proper demands upon his hospita
fail in the performance of the Sc
duties incumbent upon him, and la,
nearly his entire salary. And that
\ .,an, uovo. 70 uow doino Hn Ia f,