Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1909-01-22
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent.

Washington, d. G., Jan. 16.-Mr.
Roosevelt as is known is an ardent ad-
vocate of conservation Of natural re-
sources and it was with this object IN
mind that he called the now famous
meeting of state governors last year.
But the President goes farther than the |
proposition to save forests and water
power and mining products and is Inc
exponent In himself of the deslrablllty
of conserving and developing resources
of each and every individual. start
ing out in life with physical equip
ment rather below the average he mas
built UP a body so healthy and strong
and reliable that at fifty years OF age
he is able to rise at four o'clock OF wet
wintry morning and by nightfall TO
complete horseback ride of ninety
eight miles. The evening OF the rlde
| he appeared at dinner and entertained
| number of guests with an account OF
his ride and the following morning ne
was in his office at nine O'Clock declar-
ing that he never felt better in his life
The ride was undertaken with a double
object. The President has been having
a Strenuous time with Congress and on
account of the bad weather he has had
to miss his customary exercise on the
tennis court. Possibly he felt that he
was not keeping up with his exercise
and that he needed diversion from the
cares and work which are overwhelm-
ing in their variety and persistence.
tTbeft,he has grown tired Of the com
plants and grooming Of the army CT
ticers who find in the riding test he has
compelled them to take a subject Tor
protest. The test ride prescribed Tor
) them is ninety miles and they are CIV
en- three days in which to accomplish
it. Mr.. Roosevelt took ride of ninety
eight miles in one day, made speech
: and dspended for his luncheon on the
t fare provided by country hotel, and
, reached the White House by night as
fresh as boy who has been in SWIM
ming. The Presidents intense mental
t activity and his remarkable endurance
f are no doubt due in large part to his
9 his great vitality developed by constant
and vigorous exercise and the care with
! which he preserves his health might
t we'll be stimulating example to thu
p youth of the country.
r. The House Committee on Postoffice
and post roads has finished its repor
and is now prepared to ask Congress t
appropriate the sum Of 1924, COG, OOG t.
# maintain the postal service for tn
r coming year, an amount when !
i twelve million dollars in excess OF tina
reouired last year By Its provision
l. fifty per cent of the eligible clerks an
/. carriers earning eleven hundred dollar
will receive a one hundred dollar In
crease and apartment car clerks Will
} prometed. An increase OF 81, llO,OO
is for the extension of the rural service
If provided. Congress will probably adoE
the report and pass the bill and it viii
'e he signed by the President and the pei
pie Of the country will be paying NOR
than two hundred millions OF dollar
n for service that could be made to pa
ir for itself If the parcels post were to
10 adopted. The parcels post has man
% prominent advocates, chief anon
in Them the General Meyel
le who might reasonably be supposed
N know something about the subJee
- But az long az the Express comPani'
III of this country are so well looked o,
for by their own representatives. ]
Congress we need not expect and econ
I'D mical innovations that will take II
ne parcels carrying business away frol
IT. them.
~ Every reader will remember that fol
al wears ago there was 4 bill presented
lie Congress increasing the salary OF Il
en- President to one hundred thousand az
lars. 1t was presented, l think ju
about the close of President Roosevelt
nd first term, the only time that such
aN bill could have been presented al
'te passed. It failed of passage on accou
ne of the objection Of Hon. Baker, Del
in ocractie member from the City OF Ne
90 York. Until the term OF Preside
Grant the presidents salary had De
> twenty-five thousand dollars ye'
~ During Grants last term and since
ces has been fifty thousand dollars, WI
in of course, certain perquslties
he President of the United States pays
house rent and as Commander-ln-Cn
of the army forage and corn for l
-, horses are furnished as are also servai
w. for the White House. Moreover 1t
ly. be remembered that the last Congr
de- voted twenty-five thousand dollars
,sb wear travelling expenses for fresidt
M Roosevelt. Considering the attltu
of the Congress to the fresldent
present it is very doubtful II Congr
wn would vote him anything extra Tor
on other term. But inasmuch as the
smile is expected to prevail instead
the big stick after the fourth OF Ma
roe, there is q sentiment in favor OF incre
tho ing the presidential salary to hund
Tue thousand per annum and many arr
q. opinion that law will DO passed
this effect. And it is further propo
lled that inasmuch as the President WI
use in office is Commissioning OF
army and navy, he should, after
presidential term receive during
. !, the pay OF retired officer CONNER
- rate with his office which believe
half pay. The President OF the Ere
Republic and the Presidents OF