New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-19
SUGGESTS Il PENSION.
Correspondent also Would Haze
Er-Presidents AdUise Congress.

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: One OF the incest traits In the character Of
Theodore Roosevelt is his fondness for good men,
no matter what their station of life-and especially
for good men who have done something. like Jacob
A. Ris. the earnest and unselfsh friend Of the
under classes or John Burroughs. or Owen wister,
or othsrs whose names Will occur to the reader
Such friendships honor to both sides, and
warrant the fullest interest in the sayings and do
ings of each
One likes. for instance, TO read OF the President
and Mr.. Riis strolling together about Washington
Tor heart-to-heart talks. away from the politicians.
and. perhaps away also from public questions and
interests. And when of them talks OF the other
the public listens with wide open. Thus there
can be no doubt about the Presidents inclinations
respecting third term when Mr.. Riis declares
he has lately, that his friend sincere when he
protested he would have of it: and have
no right to doubt the sincerity OF either Mr.. Roose
Welt or Jacob A Riis. Still there might spring up
combination Of circumstances. such, for example,
as the not impossible tender of nomination from
the two dominant parties OF the country against
which even Mr., Roosevelt's determination could not
hold And this is by no means wild suppo-
sition most people would consider for at heart
Roosevelt is much Democratic he is Republt-
can paradoxical the statement may appear; and
we must not overlook the fact that the masses Of
both parties regard him with more favor than has
been shown to any President since the time of Mon
roe, who, you will remember. carried every cleo
toral vote in the country except when he ran
for a second term.
But this IS q slight wandering from the real pur-
pose have in view in this communication. which
IS respectfully to oppose the suggestion recently
made by Mr.. Ris that must really place Theo-
dore Roosevelt in the Mayors chair of NewYork
at the expiration of his second term President.
A mighty good thing it would be beyond doubt for
New-York. but not a bit fine for an ex-President
Of the United States: for such contamination
would involve decided descent to q lower plane
Of public hfe which I, for one. do not like to con-
template. And may I not hope that even Mr.. Riis
himself, fuller reflection. will agree with me
that the game is not worth the candle? To ask an
ex-Presdent Of the United States to run for Mayor.
merely because it the only office he ever ran
for and failed to win is hardly good reason And
overwhelming success could not compensate
for the loss Of dignity and prestige sure TO result
from struggle in the mire Of city politics:
1t is true there have been ex-Presidents who took
humber public office. Monroe was justice OF the
peace John Quincy ADAMS ms served Vigorously IN
him to- act 4ha as comssoner Of appraisement in
condemnation proceedings. There was Andrew John,
States Senator from Tennessee. and if 1 have not
named him with the three others II Is because II
stepping from the White House to the Senate.
R9oseVeS or chair OF wo newer DO
Besides. a much better use can be made or such
aeIstrom of ioeai p 56
In the first place let me state that am strongly
handsomely. Twenty-Five thousand dollars year
would be little enough for the nation to pay In order
70 insure the dignity and comfort Of men once IN
the highest executive post on earth They should
be placed beyond the possibility Of financial distress
such as suffered by both Monroe and Grant in
their old age. Think OF Monroes struggles right
here in New-York after his two glorious terms as
President Of the United States. Recall the picture
of Grant. the great general. the pure patriot and
the earnest Executive, writing grnly day after day
to complete his memoirs. while almost IN the death
struggle in order not to leave his family penniless
Such sad spectacles could not have been had the
Republic made proper provision for its retired he
rOes and statesmen would propose to the Aneri-
nation that the Presidents of the United States
receive liberal pension. There must be nothing
niggardly about 1t, and along with generous Pc
cuniary provision should so new form OF national
appreciation.
An ex-President OF the United States should be
without vote. He should have the right to speak
In either house all questions before Congress- and
thus place at the service of his country the ripe
perience and knowledge OF public affairs acquired
term. His attendance in Congress should be alto
gether voluntary. for no duty should be imposed
suits unworthy OF a man who once occupied the
highest post in the gift of free people.
Think OF two such clear Drained men Cleve-
land and Roosevelt. with their vast intimate
age and honesty, thus less actively re-
tained in the service Of our country, instead Of
their predecessors. The cost Of such provision
is not worth considering for II would rarely apply
to moro than two persons. II may Judge from
the past. Furthermore, it should appeal to men of
all parties.
The idea. know. is not altogether new, but
never to my knowledge has it been presented In
IS ripe for Congressional action now IF
the Cannons, the Cockrans and the Williamses and
Grosvenors would put their heads together II would
soon be engrafted the statutes OF our country
New-Yorlx. Feb. 15 1906.