The Portland daily press., 1880-12-21
The Presidents Savings.
Mr.. Hayes a Good Manager. but Not
Parsimonious.

Washington Letter to Boston Advertiser.
Recently report has had wide circulation
in the country that the President had saved
very large proportion of his salary by extreme
economy. The idea has got abroad that no
has lived at the rate Of $4,000 a year, and
saved $4,000. In unfriendly quarters he has
been accused of parsimoniousness The Presi-
dent doubtless is good manager, but except in
one particular there has been no want Of gen.
erous living and hospitality. The bill for
wines and liquors during the present admins
tration has not been large one, and thoss
who think there can be no entertainment nor
hospitality without such things are disposed 10
grumble. Touching this subject every one is
entitled to have and to hold his own opinion.
When the present occupants leave the White
House they will probably not regret their
course in this respect. In the matter OF re-
ceptions and state dinners the President has
not been remiss. The grand reception in hon.
or of the diplomatic corps, which has SO brill
lIantly closed the season for two years was a
new feature, and has been remarkably success
full. Mrs. Hayes is credited with devising this
entertainment An evening or two preceding
the first one there was grand ball at one of
the foreign legations. Wine flowed as freely
as water, and stronger liquors were supplied
without stint. The result was that many gem
tlemen and some ladies lost their heads. and
there were scenes before the house was aban-
doned that were cause Of grief If not of shame.
The following party at the White House was
in its innocent cheerfulness and reasonable ell
ioyment marked contrast to this one. There
was every pleasure which good company can
give, and there was no intoxication, no mad
ness, no foulness, and no remorse. None who
attended both parties could fail to note the
willingly confess that Mrs. Hayes had chosen
the better way. An intimate friend of the
President, and one who is likely to be we'll in
formed, lately expressed great Indignation ut
the charges of excessive frugality that have
been made. He says the Presidents expenses
have been about $4,000 a year, instead of
$4,000, and he will save out of his S200, 900 OF
salary for the four years about $4,000. The
Presidents own family Is not q small one, and
almost constantly there have been several
guests at the White House, young people for
the most part, who aided Mrs. Hayes In max
ing her parlors delightful place Of resort By
the death OF an uncle the President not long
before he came into office came into possession
OF large property, chiefly in land, subject
however, to many legacies. These the Presi-
dent. by placing heavy membranes upon the
land, promptly paid. The earnings Of this
term have been devoted to. paying the debts
so incurred, and have been far from sufficient
to do it wholly. The President has felt under
no obligations to expend his whole salary while
in office, but he cannot justly be accused OF
maintaining an illiberal style of living any
more than he can be accused of maintaining
an extravagant style. He has lived as beftted
the chief magistrate of republic, and during
his term the White House has been, so far as
its domestic affairs are in question, . represen-
tative American homo, where temperance,
cheerfalness, intellig apce and genuine hospi-
tality have had useful and ennobling exempli-
fication. dca 1nn& lwQ18lbt1t