The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1897-04-02
PRESIDENTIAL FINANCIERING.
WHAT THE CHIEF MAGISTRATE CAN
SAVE By CAREFUL MANAGEMENT.

SleNeldnN. StedtillIiS AWAY OH K 'lttle lltSIi- |
house tender to shoot ducks, does not |
feel poignant regret at stepping down
from the Chief Magistracy. He has al |
ways professed to regard the duties of |
that great Office as a grievous burden. as
sumed at a personal sacrifice for the ben
eft of the people, but shock must sure
ly attend the descent from such power
to the position of a private citizen. When
the pOpulace along the route of the in
augural parade cheered themselves hoalSe
the other day, the outgoing Presden,
paid no attention, realizing that the APP
plause was for Major Mckinley and not
for himself. ''The King is dead long
live the King"
Mr.. Arthur left the White House a
disappointed man. He had made an eX-
cellent President, yet the people refused
to give him a second term. There were
many who said that his death was hasten
ed by the blow to his ambition. Yet he
might Justly have been esteemed favor
ite of fortune, and he left nearly Il quar-
ter of million dollars to his son and
daughter when he died. 1t is safe to
say that very little of this money was
saved out of his salary while he was in the
White House, for lie lived like prince
and enjoyed nothing SO much as the be-
stowal of a hospitality that had no regard
for cost.
Mr.. Harrison has found consolation
for the loss OF his place in such Oppor-
tunities for money making us he never
had before he climbed into the Presiden-
tial chair. Ten thousand dollars wear
for a few lectures ut the Leland Stan
ford University; huge prices paid for
literary articles sought 10y editors for the
legal services rendered to corporationS-
these and other sources of cash S,mplv
have probably Swelled his income hey0nd
what it was when ne occupied the White
House. The chances are that Mr.. liar
rlSOn today is worth nearly half million
of dollars. He was one Of the most eco
nOmical tenants that the Executive Man.
sion ever had. and it is we'll within the
mark to estimate that he saved Sl2G 600
out of his salary in the four years of his
incumbency.
The size of Mr.. Clevcard'S fortune is
matter of speculation. When he first
became tenant of the White House he
was ga poor man, comparatively speaking
Certainly he was not worth $50 600. and
probably not half that much. Today. if
not Il millionaire. he may he rated close
to that enviable mark. His salary ,lu-
ring his two terms us President afforded!
Il surplus which was very prutitahlv in
vested. There has never been any cy-
tIavagance III expenditure ut the ENrcrl-
tive Mansion during his tenancy: vet his
horses and carriages have been the finest
that money could buy. and his country
hCmeS have been maintained ON Il costly
scale. On the other hand, his real estate
investments have been very profitable.
n Of 4 ,.,1,I
100 acres Of land surrounding. is not less
than $3.50. 900.
Major Mckinley. after Il long rcrioL
of financial trouble, must finn! great
relief of mind in the prospect of an in
come Of so GOO uer annrln for the next
four. and perhaps eight years. The oft
repeated statement that the amount is
scarcely adequate for tie support of TIN,
dignity of Il President of the United
States is pure nonsense. 1t is safe To say
that careful person occupying that Of
flee could get along with comfort ON
$4,000 year. He could Go It on mach
less if il Were not for the Stat" dinn,rs-
half dozen of them annuaiy--W which
costs about $500 each. iucu:!ng wines
If he chose. he might cut down the item
nne-half. and earn the applause Of the
W. {. 7. I. mt the same time. u rcfrs-
ing wines to his guests
You see. when one is provided with n
house. II stable and groon> ronycrvi,to-
rieS filled with flowers. and gardeners 10
take care of them IA butler. Il valet and
iioGa>hcepcr-;;l furnished without
cost, as the President gets lhCm, there
are comparatively few things l,l, for
him to pay for. The lights. fuel aud re-
pairs for the White House come ont of
Uncle sam pocket. as well ~ Il thui!S-
and and one mri,lcAtalS. Major Mckm-
ley will have Il cOlorcd man. rat, on the
Government pay rolls as Il skilled lahorcr
TO shave him every morning for tl.r next
four years. When he wants To write a
letter he Will have the all of Il Stcu0gla-
pler whose services do not cost him Il cent.
and the msSiNe Will t!aNcl through the
mails without requiring a1oSlagc STAMP.
The marketing for his household will he
done by Il steward. who draws Il fat sal
ary from the treasury, ana ali the lOnrS-
tic linen and table cqumcnlS will he SUP
piled ont of the S25.OOO Il year which
Congress appropriatcs for the maiutcu-
ance of the executive mansion.
1t will be interesting to take the items
of necessary expenditure and see Just how
much per annum II President of the
United states could get along ON respect
ably if he tried. Here they are:
Food supply for household = - : 80
Wages for cOacllman and servants. 1000
Feet. etc. Tor horses 500
Clothes for family 200
IncnentaiS POO
state dinners 800
Private entertainments 300
Extra summer expenses t. iHD