Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-01-07
The Presidents Savings.
Mr.. HAYES A GOOD MANAGER, But NOT PAR.
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tWashingtou Letter to Boston Adyertiser.J
Recently a report has had wide circulation
in the country that the president has saved
very large proportion Of his salary by extreme
economy. The idea has got abroad that he
has lived at the rate of $4,000 a wear, and
saved $4,000. In unfriendly quarters he has
been accused Of parsimoniousness The
president Is doubtless q good manager, but,
except in one particular, there has been no
lack Of generous living and hospitality. The
bill for wines and liquors during the present
administration has not been large one. and
those who think there can be no entertain
ment or hospitality without such things are
disposed to grumble. Touching this subject
every one is entitled to have and to hold his
own opinions When the present occupants
leave the executive mansion, they will prob
ably not regret their course in this respect.
ln the matter of receptions and state dinners.
the president has not been remiss The grand
reception in honor of the diplomatic corps,
which has so brilliantly closed the social sea
son for two years past, was a new feature,
and has been remarkably successful Mrs.
Hayes is credited with dvyising this entertain
ment. An evening or two preceding the first
one there was a grand ball at one of the for
eign legations. Wine flowed as freely as wa
ter, and stronger liquors were supplied with
out stint. The result was that many gentle
men and some ladies lost their heads, and
there Were scenes before the house was aban-
doued that were cause of grief if not of
shame. The following party at the White
House was, in its innocent cheerfulness and
reasonable enjoyment marked contrast to
this one, There was every pleasure which
good company can give, and there was no in
toXlcation, no madness, no foulness, no r.,
morse. None who attended both parties could
fail to note the difference and there were few
who did not willingly confess that Mrs Hayes
had chosen the better way. An intimate
friend of the president, and one who is likely
to be well informed lately expressed great in
diguation at the charges of excessive frugali
~ that have been made. He says the presi-
dents expenses have been about $50, 900
year instead of $40, 900, and he will save out
of his 500, 600 of salary for the four years
about $50 600 The presidents own family
is not a 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 making her parlors a delight
full place of resort By the death of an uncle
of the president Just before he came into Of
fee he came into possession of large prop
erty chiefly in land, subject however, to
many legacies. These the president, by plsc-
ing heavy membranes upon the land,
promptly paid. The earnings of his term
have been devoted to paying the debts so in
cured 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 accus-
ed of maintaining an illiberal style of living
any more than he can be accused of main
tanning 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, representative American home
where temperance, cheerfulness, intelligence
and genuine hospitality have had useful and
ennobling exemplifcation.