The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1909-02-03
The SaIary. Paid Him Is a SIS
Part of What He Receives.
GETTING AROUND THE LAW

Many Things Come His Way at Pub
lie Expense That Other Men Paw
for Out of Their Pockets. Items
of Semi-Private Nature That Are
for His Benefit Run Up Into Thou
sands of Dollars.
WASHINGTON.-The presidents
compensation-you must not say
"saIary;" that would be disrespect-
ful-is still up for consideration. It
is still uncertain whether it is to be
100000 a year, $4,000 or $4,000.
At present it is $4,000. That is,
$4,000 is the popular idea of what
it is, for that is the salary specified
nv law. But, as we all know, there
are ways of getting around the law
and even the constitution, for in the
historic words of a New York as
semblyman, whats the constitution
between friends?"
The constitution provides that the
COMPENSATION of the president shall
not be increased or diminished for
any president during his incumbency,
and it further provides that the pres
ident shall not accept any emolu-
ment Last year, in spite of this
clear prohibition by the constitution,
congress voted President Roosevelt
$4,000 for travelling expenses, to be
used as he should see fit. The argu-
ment was, of course, that it was not
compensation" neither 'emolu-
ment;" but so it was not only ar
gued but actually decided by the sec
rotary of the treasury, Mr.. Leslie M.
Shaw, l believe, that frog legs was
poultry.
What Other Men Have to Pay For.
1t may interest the public to know
exactly what the president of the
United States does get of the things
which other men have to pay for out
of their pockets. First, he gets the
$4,000, termed compensation"
He need not spend any of that unless
he especially desires to, except for
the two items of food and clothes, of
which, when you come to look at it
as any sensible American ought to,
should not be more costly than the
food and clothes of the average
American citizen. In fact, the presi-
dent is in this respect somewhat like
the preacher is supposed to be in the
community-unfortunately supposed,
however, for the preacher-that is,
he has so many good things sent him
for his table that he does not need
great deal of cash for that pur-
pose. And the admiring and adVer-
Using American public would gladly,
and do, TO a great extent send him
clothes, too; and not old clothes
either, like those sent the preacher
sometimes, but bran new, spick and
span ''sto' bought" clothes.
Generally and rightfull considered,
the president must buy clothes for
himself and his family and food for
ms table. But that is about all of
ms actual expenses, except of course,
the education of his children. The
|nlte house is given him for his resi-
uehce, and last year an appropriation
OF 500, 900 was voted for Ordinary
repairs of the white house and main
lenance." No wonder Senator Bal
ley exclaimed: Mark you, "ordi-
nary What would it be if it were
extraordinarily" Mr.. Bailey further
remarked that he quite agreed that
The presidents salary of $4,000 was
ouI OF all proportion to the amount
spent annually for ordinary" repairs
Oh his house.
A Few Other Little Things.
Besides the appropriation of this
10000 for fixing up the white house
mere was an additional $4,000 for
improvements on the white house
s[ounds. Congress appropriated also
$4,000 for fuel in the white house
ana the greenhouse and stables of
lAe president. And then the little
sum Of $4,000 was given the presi-
oeht for the care and maintenance of
.ue white house green mouse. That
Is ABOUT $3.50 a day, every day in
gHe year, for the mere matter of
MOVERS. Senator Bailey made the
statement that this would run two
vi three farms in his state. Then
yHe president gets the $25, 900 for
travelling expenses. All these are