The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1885-02-25
THE PRESIDENT.
The Personal Expenses of the
Chief Magistrate.
What 1t Really Costs to Maintain His Dig
nifty In the National Capital-Although
His Salary Is Large 1t Is DoubtfulH
He Saves Much Money.
washington Star.l

The President receives good salary,
but his private expenses are heavier than
one would imagine. A glance at his check
book at the end Of the year would show the
greater part of his $4,000 expended, and
mostly IN maintaining his private house,
hold. To be sure, the President has a great
deal done for him at public expense, and 1t
Is well that such is the case or a President
would have to be very rich man neces-
sarily Everything pertaining to the Off
cial branch Of the White House Is paid for
by the Government; but to meet the pri-
vate expenses, the President has TO go
pretty deep into his pocket. The service
Of the White Houss costs him but compar-
ntively little. The steward, who is prom
inent figure there, is Government officer.
Although he is the Presidents caterer,
and is appointed by him, he is under
$4,000 bond, and is responsible for every
thing that is brought into the White House.
If new carpet or some furniture is
bought for one of the parlors the bill is
not paid by the Commissioner of
Public Buildings and Grounds until
the steward has approved it by certifying
that the goods have been received as de-
scr, bed. The French cook, who is consd-
cred q master Of his art, is paid out Of he
Presidents pocket salary Of $500. The
table servants are paid from the same
source. Until recently the Presidents
private servant was paid by him 500 per
month. He is now on the rolls Of the
White House, having been given vacancy
,vhinb nooursad ANNA tima oUn Uia rOarh
man. Albert Hawkins, receives 500 per
month, and the French maid for Nellie
Arthur is of course, paid bv the President
SO you can scarcely say that the private
salary list is \ very big one, but there are
n great many other expenses. 1t costs
quite sum to keep Alan Arthur at col
lege and provide for him az a Presidents
son should be provided for. There are
doze.i horses in the stable belonging to the
Presidents family and kept by him. That
alone is an annual expense of at least
$1,000.
The expenses enumerated are compara-
lively insignificant 1t is the White House
table that makes the heavy drain upon the
pocketbook. We never have had Presi-
dent who dispensed the hospitalities of the
table with such lavish hand as the pres
ent occupant of the White House. The
series of state dinners last year far sur
passed any thing OF the kind ever given
before, each one costing him at least 500.
His frequent dinners almost equal them.
The President is very fond Of the delights
Of the table. He always has the very best
the market affords, and almost always has
company at his table. A higher compli-
ment can not be paid a man than 10 ask
him to dinner President Arthur is con-
tinually paying his compliments to his
friends. He does not always confne his
invitations to his own political party, but
many prominent Democrat has been in
vited informally TO dine at the White
House. The President rarely sits down to
dinner without from two to eight guests
| His dinners invariably consist OF half a
dozen courses, accompanied by as many
different kinds Of wine.
A twenty-five dollar dinner kept up all
the year round will make pretty big hole
in the $4,000. Besides, the President is
every now and then giving what are called
little lunches, but they are In reality quite
extensive affairs. After the reception the
other evening to the Diplomatic Corps, for
instance, the receiving party were invited
, 10 handsome little supper. The steward
! Is given almost carte blanche in supplying
/ the White House table, and so long as
everything Is first class, the President
never grumbles at the expense. A great
many Of the purchases are made here, but
the stewart has no hesitancy In sending TO
New York or elsewhere for some delicacy
OF the season. The wines are all Of the
finest brands, and the cigars, which are
purchased In large quantities, are all i'm
ported.
The President can not be called q great
smoker. He doesn't smoke now as much
as he did earlier in his Administration. In
fact, he confines his smoking to evening.
He is not an early riser, but accomplishes
great deal after most people have sought
their beds at night. He follows the French
plan Of partaking Of a cup Of coffee imme-
diately after rising, and then goes TO work.
About noon his breakfast is brought TO him
In his private office. 1t is n very simple
meal, and is brought on salver, and the
President partakes Of II from little table
or stand VIII ch is in his private office. His
dinner, which occupies a good portion Of
the evening, is the meal Of the day. II
there were any means Of getting the ig-
.ures, the Presidents table expenses would
bo found much heavier than people imng.
inc.