Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-16
Duties and Privileges of the
Chief Executive.
IN THE WHITE HOUSE
A MAN WHO IS ALWAYS IN
PUBLIC VIEW.
Office Has It's Drawbacks as Well as
Its Advantages-MuchW Work,
Little Play.


profits.
1t is perhaps true that there never was
born in the land boy who has not wished
to become President some day, and what
appeals most to the youthful aspirant
doubtless is the fame guaranteed by the
presidential chair to any one wise enough,
strong enough or lucky enough to climb
into it. Fame-fame eternal-is assured the
good, bad or indifferent ruler of any world
state of any consequence unless a general
hiatus shall occur to all chroniclers of the
times or unless all records of some epoch
shall be consumed by an earth-wide holo-
caust The name of no ruler of a great
country has been lost since man commenced
to inscribe intelligent history.
With secondary brilliance glitter the
powers of the presidency and of these the
vast majority have greatly exaggerated
estimate While President cannot make
laws. he can prevent their making subject
to the approval of two-thirds of the Con-
gress. He can neither make treaties with
foreign powers nor appoint men to high Of
ices without the approval of the Senate.
With the broadening of the civil service
law has resulted almost an elimination of
his powers of arbitrary appointment to
minor offices. With a harmonious Senate
ne; or course has tremendous civil and
military list to fill, but a large proportion
or this patronage is in reality dispensed
by members of Congress and political lieu
tenants subject to his approval
Gets 1878 Per Hour.
The glimmer of the presidential salary is
not the mere ignus fatuous that many
would picture 1t. All things considered
there is no reason why a chief executive of
good financial Judgment should not save
half of O.I5 per hour allowed him by the
government There is but one case on
record OF an American President dying in
olgent. James Monroe, in many respects
one or the strongest of our head magis-
trates. wanted for the necessities of life in
his old age. and died amid such squalor that
ms relatives had to borrow the funds to
bury him. But in his day the Congress
allowed the chief servant of the people
only half of the present salary
me S2ooUo given to a President for one
term would, by itself as compensation for
equal labor, be sneered at by many of our
leading business men. But it is sure
money, and with 1t goes the free use of
one of the grandest and most stately man
SONS on the continent, with repairs, fur
nishings, linen, plate, china. glass fuel,
light and partial service gratis The gov
eminent pays a steward. who superntends
the executive housekeeping. 1t furthermore
pays the valet who serves as barber and
cares for the presidential wardrobe the
maid who waits upon the first lady Of the
!and' the groom Of the executive stables.
the laundresses who bleach the White
House linen. and four domestics who dust
scrub and wait upon the table. His coach
man and other employees necessary for
PoANiy pcisoiol SERVICE the cnlef maglS-
trate must pay himself. The wages of the
watchmen who guard the White House
doors, of the engineers and firemen who
nave charge of the lighting and heating
pants, or the ushers who show the sights
or the mansion to visitors, of course come
out OF the public treasury, as does the pay
of caretakers of any federal building
Eight thousand dollars a year-the salary
of cabinet officer-is allowed President
for stationery, books, kilograms office fur
nlsnlhSs and care of stables. Moreover the
nrst gentleman of the land has always at
his elbow corps of expert clerks. headed
by private secretary, who draws a sena-
tors salary.
All food eaten at the White House tables
above and below stairs-must be paid for
by the President, as must all viands con-
sumed at official functions such as state
dinners, which cost about $1,000 apiece in
these days. and which occur four or five
times year. The music at these enter
talnments Is, however, furnished by a gov
eminent band. and the flowers are supplied
by the public propagating gardens While
the government supplies the horses and
carriages used by the clerical force of the
Executive Mansion. the President must pur-
chase and maintain his own steeds and
equipages. The largest item In the Presi-
cents domestic expenditure. therefore. is
Tor food consumed not only by his own
family. his host of visitors and large reti-
nue. OF servants, but by the hundreds of
public officials and distinguished foreigners.
to wine and dine whom is a part of his
official routine ''-'
Lives Over a Museum.
The White House. while luxuriousIv an
pointed and kept In perfect repair for all
Presidents who have abided within its
walls, denies its tenants the comforts of a
more humble private home. 1t is a combr-
nation of museum, dwelling house and
workshop. Six hours each day its lower
floors are overrun with curious pilgrims
restrained with difficulty from penetrating
the most private retreats of the presiden-
tial family. Between the hours of 10 and 4
the presidential family seldom has the full
liberty of their own abode, and 1t is usual
ly difficult for the President himself to
pass through his own hallway without
lodging a sightseer or two or grazing n
camera tripod. When the executive man
sion was situated in New York the Father
of his Country suffered the same annoy
ance. while Madame Washington is known
10 have protested against the affrOntery OF
tourists who even peeped into her boudoir
while she was making her toilet
Being commander-in-chief of the army
and navy, a President enjoys certain per-
quisites not listed above. Like any other
military officer he is entitled to free medical
attention from the regularly commissioned
army and naval surgeons, and this privilege
extends to his family, just as il does to the
wife and children of the humblest subaI--
tern. A number OF officers of the army
and navy are detailed to serve as aids TO
the President on public and social occa-
siOns. Like any general of the army, he Is
allowed an orderly to care for his mount
while another non-commissioned officer IS
detailed custodian of the colors flown
over his official quarters.
Luxuries of Travel
Each President. for many years, has had
always at his command a private yacht-a
regularly commissioned vessel of the navy.
The vessel at present detailed 10 carry the
chief magistrate, when II is his wont. is the
Mayfower originally purchased by Mrs.
Ogden Goelet for $4,000, who sold it to
. the government for $3.50 coo during the war
with Spain. when II was needed as a dis
patch boat. Should he elect to entertain
his friends he would have to pay for re-
freshments consumed out of his private
purse
When a President plans an extensive tour
or even a short trip, the railroad companies
vie with one another to offer him tempting
luNtries of travel even Offering to pay for
the WINE and cigars consumed by his guests.
a presidential tour Is always great ad-
vertsement for the transportation com
pany patronized. and chief magistrate is
sure TO be criticised if he refuses to give
the expected boom. Menus are embossed
with the heading, Presidential Train.
and the dining car harder Is stocked with
tie rarest of seafood and game. AT every
stop. whether "A crossroads or a busy city
terminal the chief executive is expected 10