The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-09-20

MIS-. cleveland continued TO mold
place in the affections of the people,
and when, in 1892, the vote of the
people carried Grover Cleveland back
into the chair of Washington, many a
Republican found the pangs of having
a Democratic President lessened by the
fact that his selection returned Mrs.
Cleveland to her old place.
Her triumphs of the first term were
abundantly repeated, and when once
more the pair retired to private life to
take up their home in beautiful West
lands, their Princeton abode, Mrs.
Cleveland remained a beautiful mem
DRY to the nation that had genuinely
loved her
Now as a widow, charged with the
responsibility of training her family,
the old affection is still there.
Mrs. Cleveland completes a notable
line of White House widows, first and
most illustrious of which was Martha
Washington, wife of the founder,
whose body lies beside that of the
immortal George in the simple tomb at
Mount Vernon.
Martha Washington died in 1902.
having survived her illustrious husband
by three years.
Thomas Jefferson outlived his wife
"A years, most remarkable extent of
time. She died in 1892, while life did
not go from the body of the greatest
of Democrats until 1926.
Mrs. Madison lived 13 years after the
death of her husband.
John Adams outlived his wife; so
did Andrew Jackson. John Quincy
Admas died four years before his wife.
Martin Van Buren, almost eqnalled
the record of Jefferson, and lived 43
years after the passing of his wife.
First Pensioned Widow.
The first time a pension was ever
suggested for the widow of an eX-Presi-
dent was when William H. Harrison
died one month after his Inauguration.
Prior to that time there had been only
one instance of a widow gettIrg any
favors whatever This was when Dolly
Madison was granted the right to pub.
lish in other countries for her own
benefit the manuscript debates on the
constitution.
The death of Harrison peculiarly ap-
pealed to the sentiment of the nation,
and Mrs Harrison was voted outright
$25, 900. Even this sum was not ex-
travagant, for she had to live on it for
the twenty-three years she survived her
husband.
The second Mrs. Tyler, who married
the President during his stay in office
occupied the White House eight months.
When the former President died in
1862 it was found that he had left his
widow so poorly provided for that gov
eminent help became imperative. There
fore, a pension of $4,000 yearly was
granted. which Mrs. Tyler continued
to draw until her death twenty-seven
years later
Franklin Pierce outlived his wife SIX
years. Buchanan was a bachelor. Fill
more s second wife outlived him seven
wears, but never received government
aid
Ia the burst of pity and affection
that followed the off taking of Lincoln,
the nation sought a means of doing
something for those who had been dear
to him. An outright $4,000 was grant
ed the widow, and she was further
given a pension of $4,000 yearly.
johnson s wife outlived him but one
year. There was no pension in that
time
The distinguished services that
Grant had rendered his country re
eeived some acknowledgment in the
shape of a $4,000 pension for his
widow, which was undoubtedly wei !
come, since the misfortunes of the |
former President in the banking bust |
ness had gone far to reduce his never
extensive fortune.
Mrs Hayes died before her husband. |
Mrs. Garfield received a pension of /
So 900 a year. which she still continues /
to draw. and it is question if any of /
the money that goes from Uncle Sam 5 /
treasury is paid more eheerfully by the |
American people.
Arthur was a widower when he sue .
ceeded Garfield. After the death of
Harrison. a movement was set af0ot To .
get a pension for his daughter, but as
soon as the widow learned of the oPpo-