The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1904-11-19
GEORGE WASHINGTON WAS OUR RICHEST
PRESIDENT.

PRESIDENT.
George Washington and Martin
Van Buren were the wealthiest men
ever elected to the Presidency, but
nearly all the Chief Executives man.
aged to leave the White House we'll
off, although some possessed little
wealth when elected, says the Wash
ington correspondent of the New York
Herald. Van Burean was SO wealthy
that he did not trouble to draw his
salary until the expiration of his four
years, when he signed for 500, 600.
Every expense of the White House
outside of that provided for by Con-
gress was paid by Mr.. Van Buren
out of his own pocket.
George Washington did not need
the money for living expense, but he
drew his money with as much regu-
larity as the department clerks. He
had SO much property to dispose of
that his will covered twelve closely
written pages and if put in type
would make FIVE columns of a news
paper.
James Monroe's will contained only
I62 words. He was poor man.
Polk Fillmore and Pierce were
wealthy men and left large estates
when they died. Madison, too, had
a good bank account and plenty of
real estate, but the money he left to
Dolly wasscattered to the winds by
a worthless relative. For her hus-
bands papers Congress paid her $780,
600 and this was all she had.
Andrew Johnson was comfortably
well off. Buchanan was wealthy as
was also Andrew Jackson, but the lat
ter was impoverished before death
by assuming the debts of his son.
John Quincy Adams died rich. He
owned much property in Boston and
Washington. His will is filed in the
recorder of wills Office and is fgreat,
length. Like Andrew Jackson, Mr..
Adams had a large collection of walk
ing canes, and these were bequeathed
to his freinds.
Thomas Jefferson always, according
history, made much display and was
rated as wealthy, but in old age he
was reduced in circumstances and was
forced to cease entertaining with such
a lavish hand at Monticello.
William Henry Harrison was known
as an everyday man, and when r. the
White House he cared little for style.
He saved a good portion of his salary
and died moderately rich. His grand
son, Benjamin Harrison, who was like
wise economical, saved money and
enjoyed a good law pratice after his
term.
General Grant while in the White
House lived well, but at the same
time he saved money, the salary of
President being raise from $25, 900 to
$50, 900 while he was serving his sec
ond term. General Grant had a
larger stable of thoroughbreds than
any President and when he took
FANCY TO i10FSeHe ReneFaIsy llAal.ae,s<a-
to buy it regardless of the price. He
was not wealthy, although worth con-
siderable when his second term ex-
pired. An ENHANCEMENT in a wild
cat financial concern led him to pledge
his swords, medals and gems to w. H.
Vanderbilt for the sum of 500, 900 to
clear his name of the disgrace others
had brought upon him.
The most exttavagant President
was Arthur, who not infrequently
gave dinners coasting as much as
SIS, 900. When he went into the
White House he was worth probably
half million. His predecessor, Gar
field, died poor man.
Hayes was accused of parsimony
during his incumbency of the White
House because he offered no wine to
guests. Mr.. Hayes entertained little,
but it was not because he was not
financially able but simply because
he did not believe in great social func-
tions. Mr.. Lincoln was poor when
he entered the White House and had
he lived to serve out his term he
would, perhaps, have retired worth
only few hundreds more than he
began with, for he was not econmical
and cared nothing for money.
Grover Cleveland was paying taxes
on less than $1,000 when he was
elected President the first time, but
today he is considered wealthy.
Mr.. Mckinley was poor when he
entered the White House. He was
in debt, but by the assistance Of friends
he was accumulating money when the
assassin's bullets ended his life.
President Roosevelt was comfort
ably fixed when called to the Chief
Executives chair not wealthy tor
these times.