The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1892-12-15
THE PRESIDENTS SAVINGS
Benjamin Harrison viii Leave The
White House Well Oh.
IsIs Big Llvlng Expenses-DeAPltC
Ihs Heavy Drain on his Purse
lIe Has Managed TO save
Abeat aIO8,OOO.

House on The 4th OF next March, An
outside estimate Of his expenses past aud
prospective during the four years Of his
term leaves a balance OF 100000 frOm
the 500, 900 which he will have drawn.
No president since Graut has lived up
to his salary. There is really no reason
why he should. The government pro-
vides house for him, furnishes it and
supplies the servants. Even the barber
who trims the presidents beard is C sal
aried employo Of the government.
When Grant came into Office the salary
Of the president was only $25, 900 annual
". Yet several Of Grants predecessors
had been able to save money. Buchanan
left a fortune of 100000, Lincoln 5000
and johnson 10000.
Probably the poorest Of the presidents
was Jefferson. He would have been
bankrupt if congress had not Rppnopri-
ated 81, 900 to buy his library. Madison
left very small estate and Moore died
poor. Washington, as every one knows,
married the rich Widow Curtis, and his
estate Was worth more than a quarter Of
million. John Adams was worth, per
haps, 10000 at the time Of his death,
and John Quincy Adams had managed 10
accumulate about the same amount by
prudence and economy. Van Buren did
not draw a cent Of bis salary during the
four years Of his term, but drew i all in
lump, 100000, when he went out Of
office. He left an estate as large as that
Of Washington. jackson left n large
landed estate. Polk left $4,000. Fill
more was q rich man, and some Of his
money, like Washington's, came 10 him
by marriage. Pierce saved 10000 out
Of his presidential salary.
Grant spent a great deal Of money
while he was in the White House, and all
that he took with him when he left the
presidential Office was lost in the failure
Of his son. His family was supported by
fund provided by his friends, and final
ly became rich by the sale Of his memoirs.
Hayes took more than half Of his salary
with him when he left the White House.
The GarGelds were not in the White
House long enough to accumulate much
money, but the Garfield family is now
supported by public fund. Arthur lived
better than the average president during
his term, bat he was not able to spend
oil Of his salary. Cleveland took with
him from the White house at least $50, 900
Of his salary, aud he made a great deal
more than that in his real estate specula-
tions around Washington.
When President Harrison came into
Office he was worth perhaps $4,000. He
had accumulated this money little by lit
tie in the practice Of law. His old part
ner, Mr.. Miller, now the attorney general,
was worth perhaps four tiues as much,
but be accumulated his money by iortu.
nate speculation in real estate. General
Harrison never had the faculty for money
making; he never seemed 10 see any
thing outside Of his chosen profession, and
out Of the large fees which be received
from time TO time he put by 4 little, and
accumulated enough to invest in somC
manufacturing property in indianapolis
Tho estimated value Of this property
which tho president still owns, was 49,.
900. In addition 10 this General Harri
son owned the house in which no lived.
Since he came to Washington the pres
ident has been drawing $lGO a day from
the treasury, and he has not been able L
spend one-hali that amount. He has Il
buy the food which goes on the Whit,
House tables and ply the old coloret
nanny who cooks Il, but the other ex
ptnses Of the executive mansion down I,
the purchase Of matches arc provided fo
In the annual appropriation bills. Th,
total expenses Of the executive mansion
are about $4,000 a year. There Is al
appropriation for the care, repair ant
furnishing Of the mansion, the care Of th,
greenhouses, improvement and mainten
anee Of the grounds, fuel, gas, and theI
the salaries Of the employees Of the ezecu
tive Office and the steward, the messen
gers the dOorkeepers, the watchmen ant
the engineers Of the establishment. Tn,
president has in addition to this a con
tlngent fund Of 5000, which he ma,
spend as he chooses without rendering al
tenized account 10 congress. This is th
only contingent fund except the eontin
nj NJ hn 4.