The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1905-08-11
weAlIn OF our PRESIDENTS.

out the seven years struggle. He is
generally spoken of as the richest of
our American presidents, but his
wealth, though great, for colonial
times, was smalli in comparison to
to that of our multi-milliOn aires of
the present day, but there--had been
no Miss Tarbell's developed in those
early times. Washington had his
enemies but he was never denounced
on account of his wealth.
Martin Van Buren,, the next richest
of our presidents, let his salary accu-
mulate during his four years'terms and
and then drew it in solid lump of
500, 600. 1t was the biggest sum that
had ever been paid to any single in
dividual up to that time.
James Madison, a wealthy man for
his day, left a widow well provided
for, but her fortune having been
scattered to the winds by a spend
thrift relative, congress helped the
charming Dolly out by giving her
$40, 900 for her husbands papers.
James Monroe, the promulgator of
what is known as the "Monroe doc
trine," was never rich, and lived af-
ter his retirement in very modest and
reduced circumstances.
Thomas jefferson, who overshad-
owed his contemporaries in his clear
conceptions of the mission and desti-
ny of the great republic, while he in
herited a comfortable patrimony for
those times and married a widow
with a fortune equal to his own,
was never mOney-maker, never
had time to devote to it, entertained
too lavishly, was too much given to
hospital ty. and inallylwas rescued
by some sort of a lottery scheme. In.
his last days he lived economically on
S2S, 600 paid him by congress for the
larger part of his library.
The two Adamses, John and John
Quincy, were rich and thrifty Jack
son, Polk. Pierce, Fillmore, johnson,
and Hayes were accounted rich men
for their day, and excellent managers.
William Henry Harrison possessed
moderate fortune, and as he cared
but little for style, would have saved
part of his salary had he lived.
His son, Benjamin Harrison, who
inherited his economical habits, saved
a part of his salary, and obtained
large sums of money from his law
practice.
Chester Arthur was rich when he
entered the White House. He was
sumtuous entertainer and spent
more than his salary in private func-
tons.
General Grant entered 1.-The White
in moderate circumstances. During
his second term the salary was raised
from $25, 900 to SO, 900, and he retired
with some money in bank which he
lost in speculattionrwhich did no
credit to his business sagacitv. He
paid off his business liabilities by
means of loan of 500, 900 advanced
by w. H, Vanderbilt on his guns,
swords, medals and other souvenirs.
He afterwards wrote his Personal
which brought him in a
large sum of money.
President Garfield lived and died
a poor man. After his assassination
congress granted his widow pension
of 5000 and 5000 was raised for
her by popular subscription.
President Mckinley had reverses
i'll business and was not rich when he
was made president. After his assas-
sination his widow was put on the
pension list with 5000 per annum.
Grover Cleveland came to the pres
idency but left it rich and has been
growing richer ever since. He is now
with the Equitable.
President Roosevelt was fairly rich
when he was made president, and will