The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-01-02
THE PRESIDENTS SALARY.

Again the papers are discussing the
question of an increase of the presi-
dents salary. We think there should
be less talk about this matter and
more action by congress. Fifty thou
sand dollars a year is not enough for
our president. He has a position to
maintain and a certain amount of en-
tertaining to do which calls for a ire
mendous outlay. Unless there is an
increase in the salary of president the
time will oon come when nobody but
a few of the wealthiest men of the
country can afford to accept the Of
fee. AS a. matter of self-preservation
the salary should be placed at such
figures as to place the Office within
the reach of every deserving American.
AS it is now few men can afford to ac-
the government as its chief executive
in the in which a great nation
should be represented on the small
salary which is allowed the president.
If We are going to be a big country
and keep in line with the other nations
of the world let's do SO and let's have
a man at the head OF the government
who can represent it properly. To do
so takes money, and the government
should furnish the money and not *
peot it to come from the private purse
of the occupant of the White house.
In connection with this matter we
print the following editorial from the
Raleigh Times in regard to the travel
ing expenses of the president. The
president of this country should not
be compelled to pay out of his private
purse or out of his salary the expenses
of any trips he may take over the
country nor should he be placed in the
awkward position of accepting free
transportation from the big railroad
systems. Because of the smallness Of
salary he must do one OF the other
every time he takes d trip Of any eN-
tent. This should not be. The country
can we'll afford to provide for the pres
expenses in visiting the differ
ent parts Of the country and it should
do so.
The Times says:
The question of having congress pro-
vide a fund to be used by the presi-
dent in paying his freight when he
over the country will meet with
n rrrxr onnnro1lr hut uThafhnr that l
idea will be whipped into a law re-
mains to be seen. There is no reason,
however, against the enactment of a |
law to increase the salary of the ex-
Here he is, the foremost man
in the country, so far as political non
ors go. without sufficient pay to meet
the ordinary requirements of one in
his exalted station. Fifty thousand |
is a mighty small sum compar-
ed to that received by men in the bus
world, and yet he is supposed to
more sense. just as he is suppos-j
ed to look carefully after the affairs
Of the greatest nation on earth. The
is to double the salary. That would |
be %exorbitant. Mr.. Roosevelt is
worth it and any president of the
States is worth it for that mat
ter. When the change has been made
can travel as it suits him and he can
pay as he gOeS 1t would not bepos-
sible to vote an increase for Mr..
during his present. term.
nor would he accept it, but it would
only he common justice to give what
the office is actually worth and have
the aw enacted so that the new sal
airy will be received by the next man
occupies the White house And
it makes no difference whether that
be Theodore Roosevelt Or Tom
Watson-he ought to have double the
amount being paid today.