The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-12-29

New York. Dec a-Grover Cleveland
has written an aFticle for the issue OF
the Youths Companion Of January , or
Our duties 10 our ex-Presidents. in
which he speaks Of the necessity Of an
ex-President. his obligations and occupa-
tons. and touches upon the provision ths
people should make for retired Chief
Magistrates.
On the subject Of an ex-President'a
necessities, 1Ir. Cleveland writes:
Does the honor and respect, or even
the personal affection generously ac-
corded by his countrymen, TO one who
has retired from their highest Office.
serve the purpose OF complete acquit-
tance. On the peoples side. OF the ac-
count?
UnQuestioua5Iy. from a sentimental
point Of view. the honor. respect. and
affection put 10 their credit are OF in
/ finitely more value than any service that
can be performed by an ex-President. and
abundantly compensate for any restraint
exacted from him at their behest. But
I how stands the account IN the light OF
the necessities Of the workaday world.
which hold Us ali in unyielding environ
mentE
Dignity of Position.
! Mention has already been made. OF TIA
I requirement by the people. that the con-
! duct and occupations Of their ex-Presi-
/ dents should be- so restricted that the
/ dignity Of the position they occupy will
/ be scrupuiously maintained. This Sue-
| gests, without argument, reciprocal
/ connection between the curtailment OF
| opportunities OF livelihood. on one side.
! and a reasonable obligation Of indernni-
hcation on the other.
The President Of the French Repub-
/ lie receives an annual salary amounting
10 SI20009. together with s60.Oo0 for the
maintenance and furnishing OF his on
ieial residence, and a Ike sum 20 cover
the Expenses OF travel and entertainment
This IS decided n the direction Of Sc
curing a dignifed and. unperplexed fu-
ture support % its ex-President
Might BaIk at Cost.
1T is hardly 70 be supposed that such
an expenditure as this. on account Of our
/ Presidential Office. would accord with
American ideas. II is not 50 easy. how
ever. TO dismiss from our minds the
thought that the American nation can
not well afford 70 disregard entirely the
conditions that confront its retired Presi-
dents. nor longer TO allow itself 20 be
I L.
/ have frequently resulted from such con
ditions"
/ After referring 10 the sad incidents sur
rounding the lives Of both Thomas Jeffer-
son and John Quincy Adams. after their
retirement from the Presidency, the
! writer says:
Whatever omission there may be Of
fair and considerate conduct on the part
Of our people. in their relations with their
lex-Presidents ought 20 be made good. BY
a definite and Generous provision, for all
cases alike. based upon motives Of JUS
tice and fairness, and adequate 20 the
I situation.
Relief Is Meager.
The condition is by no means met by
/ the meager and spasmodic relief occa-
sionally furnished under the guise OF a
military pension or some other pretext:
nor would it be best met by making COM
pensation. already accrued or accruing.
dependent upon the discharge Of Sena-
torlal or other official duty.
If. in concluding this discussion. a per-
sOnal word is necessary or permissible. in
view Of the fact that I am the only man.
| now living. who could at this time profit
by the ideas I have advocated. 7 hope nv
sincerity viii not be questioned. when 1
/ say that I have dealt with the subject.
without the least thought Of personal
interest or desire for personal advantage
/ am not in need Of aid from the public
treasury. l hope and believe I have pro-
vided FOR myself and those dependent
upon me comfortable maintenance.
within the limits Of accustomed prudence
and economy, and that those to whom
owe the highest earthly due, viii not
want when / an gone
No Personal Thought
These conditions have permitted me 10
treat with the utmost freedom. a topic
which involves no personal considerations.
I and only has 10 do. in my mind with
conditions that may arise in the future.
but are not attached 20 the ex-Presi6ent
Of to-day; and I am sure that I am ac-
tuated only by an everpresent desire that
the fairness and sense Of justice. char
acteristic OF Americanism. shall neither
fail nor be ObScured.
! Mr.. Cleveland says Of the obligations OF
an eX-President: 1t Is most gratifying 10
note how the private lives OF our ex-Pres-
idents are made grateful and bright by
the generous attachment and spontaneous
| kindness manifested toward them, by
their feIlOw-countryrnen
| The American people are the best peo-
pie in the world. and the honor and re-
Spect with which they follow TO his retire
ment one who has served them in the
highest Office within their gift. illustrates
the innate nobility Of the American char
acter.
Predecessor Melancholy.
IN the light Of these reflections. the
biographer Of one of our early Presidents.
seem to have unfortunately yielded to the
temptation of striking statement when ne
wrote concerning the subject of his
sketch. that at the expiration Of mis- term
as President. he found himself that mel
ancholy product of the American gov
ernmental system-an ex-President
How can it be that our governmental
system places the President on the high
Continued on Page II, Column 2.
Prices OF All Kinds Lumber Tumbling.