The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-09-26
THE PRESIDENTS PRIVATE
LIFE.

Aside from the arduous official duties
of the President Of the United States, it
is interesting to note some of the pleas
ure and profit that accrue from his term
of four years. With an income of S13S
a day, or $4,000 year, paid by the
strongest bank in the country. the
United States Treasury, he may or may
not leave Office with snug fortune of
perhaps 100000. depending on whether
his expenditures have been of an ex-
travagant nature. Many Presidents
have taken Office as poor men, but with
the money they have saved during their
term, the influence that the office has
brought them in business pursuits after
wards, they have died comparatively
rich.
The country installs the President in
the White House-a magnificent resi-
dence-and surrounds him with every
convenience. With an appropriation
that Congress makes every year most of
the expenses of this establishment are
paid.
The following lis fair idea of the
many incidentals that come free to a
President: Every bit of linen, bedding,
towels. and such things is furnished.
He is shaved by the White House bar
Der. His table is spread with the finest,
daintiest damask, set with the most ex-
quisite china, and bountifully supplied
with flowers from the White House con
servatories. IL he sends telegram, it
is done from an instrument in the White
House. for which the government pays.
His stationery. postage. ETC., cost him
billiards. there is a beautiful table at
hand; or if he wants to take drive, his
stables, which the government pays the
rent for and takes care of, are amply
equipped. When he enters his business
office, a man is stationed at the door to
open and close it; and private secre
tary, to whom the government pays
salary of $4,000 year. assists him with
his correspondence. The services of a
typewriter are also furnished. He is
protected from the curious by number
of private watchmen. Should he want a
cruise, magnificent steamship from the
navy is placed at his disposal.
There are many other things that cost
him nothing, such as the culinary ar
rangements, his steward, who does the
marketing, the many fancy delicacies
sent him by enterprising firms. This.
by-the-way. is sort of nuisance. for it
seems to be the desire of every manufac-
turer of some new eatable or drinkable
to get it into the White House. Things
of value that find their way there are
never accepted.
Lately the bicycle manufacturers have
tried to get President Cleveland to ride
a wheel, and have offered the most ex-
travagant inducements to both the
President and Mrs. Cleveland. One firm
said they would present Mrs. Cleveland
with a gold bicycle studded with gems
if she would ride it.
The President has to give state din
ners and state receptions, but the ex-
penses of these yearly probably do not
exceed $1,000 or $4,000. The Marine
Band always supplies the music. and the
flowers come from the conservatory. 1t
is seldom necessary to decorate the re-
ception-room of the White House. 80
that these affairs, although of elaborate
and ceremonial nature, are still mex.
pensive.
Upon his retirement to private life.
the influence that his Presidential Office
has given him enables him to secure
large sums in payment for whatever he
he may do. such as lecture. an article
in periodical, or. if he practices law
which most of our exPresidents have
done-such fees as $4,000 are no UNI
common thing.-Harper's Round Table.