The herald., 1896-11-02
OUR PRESIDENTS POORLY PAID.
Their Salary insignificant Compared
With Those of Other Presidents.

our next chief executive may be, will
count as only one of more than twenty
five presidents Of republics in this world.
Considering the greatness of his coun-
try and the official ceremony and hospi-
tality expected OF him, ne will doubtless
be the poorest paid OF all these execu-
/ tives.
II this were France instead of the
United States, Mr.. Bryan would be in
eligible to the highest office, on account
of his youth. Besides being native
born F'renchman, the president of France
must have had at least forty years of
experience with world affairs. He re-
ceives each year snug little fortune of
S114000, which is just equal to the to-
tai salaries of our president and his eight
cabinet members added together. Be-
sides this, he is furnished the hire of
beautiful palace, and is annually given
$31, coo pin money with which to pay the
expenses of his household and stables.
Mr.. Cleveland is allowed an annual ap-
preparation of but $4,000 for the contin-
gent expenses OF the executive house.
hold" and has to pay for the feeding and
keeping of his own horses. besides pay
ing his coachman out of his own pocket.
The French people never enjoy this
hurrah and furry of the presidential
campaign, which we are now experience
ing They have no voice in the selection
work being reserved for congress. The
French senate and chamber of deputies,
which correspond to our two houses of
congress, meet jointly a month before
the end of the existing presidents term.
They march in line past large urn, into
which each member drops slip of paper
containing the name of the candidate of
his choice. The man receiving an abso
Lutte majority remains president for sew
en- years, during which term he receives
altogether s1,015,000 from the govern
ment. There being no vice president, the
national assembly is called upon imme-
diately to elect a successor upon the
death or resignation Of a president. The
new executive does not merely fill in the
unexpired term of his predecessor, but
continues in power for a full term.
In Switzerland any man who is 20
years old or over can vote. All voters,
except clergymen, are eligible to the
presidency. AS in France, however, the
common people have no vote for the
presldent-not even indirectly, through
partisan electors. Every three years
the Swiss congress elects an executive
cabinet Of seven members, who, after
being chosen, divide among themselves
the portfolios of foreign affairs" post
and telegraphs," justice and police"
merce and duties" Every year the cab
met meets and elects from its own men,
bers president and vice president of the
republic.
Election day in Mexico, as in this coun-
try, occurs every four years. There is
no such intermediate body as our cleo
toral college in that republic. The ma
jority of the votes of all the people cast
at the polls elects the successful candi-
date. The president Is inaugurated on
the 1st of December, which is much
warmer day in that locality than is the
4th Of March here. The Mexican pres
ident's salary amounts to 10000 of our
dollars a year, which is really consider
ably more than Mr.. Cleveland's official
wages, the cost of living being much less
in that republic. The chief justice of the
Mexican supreme court is somewhat of
a Pooh Bah" Besides being the official
head of his own tribunal, he is x-officio
president of the senate and vice presi-
dent of the republic. President Diaz has
a cabinet OF seven secretaries, each of
whom receives exactly the same salary
as that given to cabinet officer in this
country.
The official job of president in Argen-
tina is worth $4,000 more per term than
Is the same position in this country. AL
though the president of that country re-
ceives but $4,000 per year, he holds his
position for six years. He is voted for
through an electoral college, compris-
ing double the total number of members
of congress. He cannot serve two terms
in succession, but may be even third
termer, or. perhaps, fourth termer if
he allows six years te1ntervene between
each term.
The vice president Of Argentina holds
a much more lucrative position than
that which will fall tn either Mr. Hobart
Mr.. Sewall or Mr.. Watson. AS far as
ease is concerned, he has exactly the
same sinecure which one of these Will
enjoy, but receives SIS 600 a wear for. civ
years. or $4,000 more per year than our
successful vice presidential candidate
will be given for four years.-Philadel-
phia Times.