Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1908-03-06
Ex-PRESIDENTS NOT NEEDY.
Most of Them Leave the White House
With Ample Means.

fixed financially; although some OF
them were possessed of but little
wealth when elected.
Mr.. Cleveland was a poor man when
he entered the White House, he paying
taxes on less than $4,000 when he was
elected President first time. To-day he
| is more than millionaire. Mr.. Cleve-
! land was not Il lavish spender during
his incubbency of the White House
He drew his salary with utmost regu-
larity; he made fortunate invest
ments" in Washington suburban real
estate; his Oak View summer home
purchase brought him in an immense
income; he likewise got inside infor-
nation through his friend and adviser
! E. c. Benedict, and bought Chicago
gas at a time when it was a dead sure
thing to double in value. 1t would
| take considerable space to give a par
tial list of Mr. Clevelands holdings.
He is rich; very rich.
Van Buren, was so rich that he didn't
trouble himself to draw his salary un-
til the expiration of his four years,
when he signed for an even 100000
, Every expense of the White House out
| side of that provided for by Congress,
was paid by Mr. Van Buren, out of his
own pocket.
George Washington didn't need his
salary for living expenses. but he took
no chances, and drew his money with
as much regularity as the department
clerks. He had so much money and
property to dispose of that his will COW
cred twenty closely written pages. and
if put in type would make five columns
of this paper.
James Monroe entered the White
House very poor man, and he retired
almost penniiess. He lived well, but
not extravagantly. while President. 1t
took just 162 words to tell in his will
what he wished done with the few
dollars he left
Polk, Fillmore and Pierce were all
rich men when elected President, and
each left the White House financially
well fixed. leaving to their families and
relatives large estates.
James Madison had a good bank ac-
count and lots of real estate when he
became President. and it had not dwin-
died perceptibly when he retired. Both
money and property was rapidly scat.
tered to the winds after Madison died,
but for his papers Congress paid Mrs
Madison $4,000, and this was all the
beautiful Dolly got.
Andrew Johnson was comfortably
rich when he was chosen chief execu-
tive. He owned mills, farms, stores
and other properties at Knoxville and
Greenville, Tenn. and the balance was
on the right side of the ledger in
hank.
Buchanan was wealthy, too. as was
also Andrew Jackson, but the latter
was impoverished before death by as
suming the debts of his son, Andrew
Jackson, Jr.
John Quincy Adams died rich man.
He owned immense properties in Bos-
ton and Washington.
Thomas Jefferson, according to his
tory, always put On large amount Of
style. and was rated as a very rich
man, but in old age he was reduced to
hardpan living, and was forced to cease
entertaining with such lavish hand at
Monticello. Congress paid him $2S. 900
for the larger portion Of his valuable
library, and this was economically
used during his last days.
William Henry Harrison was known
as plain everyday man, and while in
the White House he was the same. He
saved goodly portion of his salary
and died moderately rich. His grand
son. Benjamin Harrison. was likewise
economical, cared little for style, saved
money and enjoyed a lucrative law
practice after his term. He died worth
snug sum.
Gen. Grant was not a fast liver, but
while in the White House he lived
we'll, but at the same time saved
money, the salary of President being
raised from $4,000 to $4,000 while
he was serving his second term. He
was not rich, but worth considerable
money when his second term expired.
Al unfortunate intanglement in a wild.
cat financial concern caused him to be
forced to pledge his swords, medals
and gems to w. H. Vanderbilt for the
loan Of 100000 to clear his good name
Of the disgrace others had brought
upon him.
The most extravagant of Presidents
was Arthur. who not infrequently gave
dinners costing as much as $1,000. He
played a high hand, but he had the
wealth to back him. When he went
into the White House he was worth a
half-million, and for a time it seemed
as though he wished to see just how
rapidly he could spend it, a course en-
tirely different from that of his pre-
decessor, the lamented Garfield, who
died poor man. The people of a
grateful nation raised a sum of $780,.
900 for the widow, and Congress voted
her a pension Of $1,000 annually.
Hayes was accused OF parsimony