Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-11-19

The New York Times has starteda scheme
for raising what it calls Presidential Pen
sion Fund" to be not less than $3.50 900,
drawing interest about Sl2. 500 year, the
annual income to be ''enjoyed during life
and non- holding of federal office by the old
est living ex-President of the United States
meaning the one longest ont Of office. The
reasons given by the Times for raising such
u fund are that the return of any man who
has once occupied the position of the FIRST
citizen of the republic To his original posi-
tion in life is impossible, and that his once
having been President Is "a positive barrier
to the acceptance of any humber response
bili,ies," and this makes the problem of
earning living both embarrassing and diff
cult" The Times says:
''As the country grows in wealth and por-
ulation, as its relations with other lands be-
come more intimate, and its place among the
nations gains in dignity and elevation, the
demands upOn the inmates of the White
House become more exacting, while the
chances are decidedly increased of any Presi-
dent who fairly meets the social responsible
tiles of his social position leaving it poor
man. Poverty and dignity are by no means
incompatible, but ii is extremely questions
bic whether the people of the United States
consult either the dignity of their country or
the successful working Of their institutions
by failing TO make some provision for remov-
ing their ex-Presilcnts above the tempta-
tons or thc discbmforts incidental to genteel
poverty.
The plan is to raise the s;M by private
subscription, and TIE Times says $50, 600 has
been guaranteed already, Ii has no doubt
the entire sum could readily be secured at
once from few wealthy gentlemen, but
urges that it is something which should be
participated in by the whole people, even the
smallest Sums being received. OF course
General Grant would be the first recipient of
the advantage of the fund, if it should be
raised at once, but it would be a permanent
fund, to be used for the advantage of any
future President.
The objections 10 the scheme are obvious
that it is quite within the possibilities that
We will lhavethree or four ex- Presidents living
ut the same time; that if it is to be a national
thing it might as well be paid directly from
the National treasury; and that there is a
good deal Of absur,lIty in the theory that the
holding of the Presidency should forever de-
bar man from taking any part in public
or private affairs. But on the other
hand it is urged, and with force, that officers
of the army and navy are pensioned on leav-
ing the service and there is no reason that
one who has been commandments OF
them all should not lie placed On footing
equally advantageous; that besides this the
support of old Judicial and other public func-
tionaries is generally and justly regarded as
II legitimate charge upon the public treasury
and that in view of the oft-repeated proposi-
tions to raise q fund which should be pure
ly personal testimonial to Gen Grant, the
benefits of such National scheme IS is sug-
gestcd could he accepted by him or any OF
his Successors without any feeling to per-
sonal obligation or impaired selfrespect
which might attach 10 II merely personal
gift
On the whol, we are inclined to think the
plan good one; and wIihthc $50, 900 s,laran-
tced and so, 900 which the Times has receiv
ed since its publication "l the scheme. its sue
cess would seem t1 le practically assured. 1t
will he handsome and graceful way OF
showing the country'S appreciation OF Gen-
Grants great services and in years 10 come
1, l.. IN, no Iras.1an