The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1904-05-12
JUST TAX THE FARMER AND LET
HIN HAVE "A GOOD TIME.

Is DSln& puSnOu Ill alOuS Uuo llu0, ANU
in very dexterous and smooth manner,
as those who are the "Muck-a- Mucks"
Of the government want to spring this
salary business very gently and quietly
upon the voter, and by degrees, so that
until the Job has been contaminated and
the trick turned.
A dispatch from Washington is sent
out broadcast all over the country as
"Feeler," to see just how we "Reubens"
will take to the matter. The dispatch
follows:
"President Roosevelt's elaborate
entertaining at the White House is
understood to be compelling him to
make deep inroads upon his private
fortune.
The $50,OO0.0O which he receives as
salary from the government is said to
be far too small to stand the strain Of a
constant succession OF receptions, din
ners, luncheons, musicales and teas.
The formal dinners at the White
House have always been generous, but
last year and this year they have been
given on an unprecedented scale of
elaborateness.
Last Thursday the President gave a
dinner for the judiciary, to which were
hidden seventy eight guests. This was
followed by a dinner Friday night at
which twenty-four persons were present
and later in the evening there was a
musicale for which 200 Invitations were
issued. The President gave dinner
last night at which the principal guests
were Secretary Root and Governor
Taft.
The White House is seldom without
one or more "house guests" and some
times there are half dozen. The
President himself defrays the bulk of
the expenses Of his household. The pro-
viding for the table comes out of his
pocket. The furniture is purchased by
the government. Provision is made for
the payment Of some servants. He
maintains large and expensive stable,
including several saddle horses for him
self and Mrs. Roosevelt and ponies for
his children.
Miss Alice Roosevelt, the President
eldest daughter, who made her debut
soon after he entered the White House,
is popular both in Washington and New
York society, and in addition to spend
ing considerable time at the most bril-
liant social centers, she travels extern
sively and conducts quite an extended
series Of social functions at the White
House. A large dance is to be given by
her soon."
i Now, what do you think of the above:
The President of the United States
already draws $5O,O00.OO per year for
his services, and in addition to this
$50,000.00 there are many, many per-
quisites that come to him which largely
enhances his salary, but we find from
this dispatch, that Mr.. Roosevelt has
been living SO extravagantly that all Of
this enormous amount of money is not
enough to supply him and his family's
inclination for greatness and grandeur
4 Suppose Mr.. Roosevelts daughter
does cost him lots of money, he surely
does not blame the people for her ex.
travagance does he, and he surely does
not expect the public to "cough up
their hard earned dollars in order that
his daughter may become the Female
Plunger of Washington Society,"
i This dispatch says ''that Mr.. Roose
welt supports large and expensive
stable, including several saddle horses
for himself and Mrs. Roosevelt and
ponies for his children"
Reader, suppose that your wife and
children had eXtravagant ideas and de
guarantee you giving them, do you sup
neighbors that they should cut dowr
their expenses in order that you and
your family might be royalty supported
in their extravaganza?
II Mr.. Roosevelt and his family take
: such flights in extravaganza during his
presidential term, to which he was
never elected and only became Presi
; dent through the misfortune of another
what shall we expect if the people
choose him by their votes to serve
another term as President? Why, bless
your souls, your widest imagination
would become suckling's dream com
pared with the extravagant splendol
that will be pulled off at the White
House in the future, should the present
incumbent of the White House succeed
himself.
There is not a great question tina
comes before the masses but what viii
bear being analysed by the voter, as i
is by and through his suffrage that ou
officials hold their position; therefore
it is our duty, as intelligent men, t,
thoroughly sift and analyze every phas,
and action of our public officials con
duct.
When it comes to pass that maj
cannot support his family in the Unitet
States upon the fabulous salary 0
$4,000 year, it is time to call halt
as such extravaganza leads beyond TIL,
border of republican form Of govern
ment, and gets dangerously near tn
i form of Monarchial governments, wher'
the masses are reduced to poverty b,
taxation in order that the rulers ma,
become extravagant profigates.
Reader, think for yourself. Reason
for yourself. Speak for yourself. Vott
, for yourself and family, and never mis-
an opportunity to robustly exercis
your better judgment in the affairs o
, your country.-Rip-Sa Saw.