New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-15
Presidential Thrift and Generosity In
France,

psdsians who have always been disposed
TO ridicule the bourgeois appearance, man
rsrs and thrift of President Fallieres and
rs worthy wife are just at present hav-
ing a good deal of fun in connection with
bis urgent demands on the national Treas
wv for the defraying of extra expenses to
which he was put by the state visits Of
foreign monarchs to the French metropolis.
In fact, these demands have furnished ma
tsr!al for a good deal Of sarcastic discus
don in the Legislature. Among the items
g one for some $500 francs for hats for
he reception, of the King of sweden, and
u much moro on the occasion Of the visit,
month later. of the King and Queen OF
Norway. OF course. the public insists that
these sums represent the cost Of Nine.
nlleres's bonnets and the Presidents
hats, whereas, If the truth were known,
tie outlay was really for the headgear Of
the domestics, both those permanently EN-
pleyed at the Elysee Palace and those tenn
porzrly engaged for the occasion.
Il may be remembered that both the
royal visits were Inarred by rain, which
does not improve any known variety OF hat.
The ose-fstedness Of the FalHereses
during the last seven years, especially their
refusal to continue the annual largesse OF
their predecessors To various charitable
Enterprises, is contrasted with the nberality
Of most Of the previous occupants OF the
Executive Mansion. Thus. Felix Faure,
With all his faults, not only drew on his
own private income in maintaining his Of
hdal dignity, but even mortgaged part OF
NhE@
widow and daughter are still suffering
from the results Of his nberality. Faure's
predecessor, Casnir-Perier, was a very
rich man and exceedingly open-handed.
sadi-Carnot had private income Of $4,000
or $4,000, which while President he spent
TO the last sou, employing a third Of his
principal at least in charities and other
isties. AS for Nine Carnot, her openhand-
sdness was Of the most generous and kind
" character. When reproached by their
relatives and friends for dipping so heavily
INTO their personal resources they replied
nat II was not for a President Of the re-
public to ''couper les lizards en- quatre"-
but the pence I'm four.
President and Nine Loubet. while far
more prudent, were by no means parsi-
nonious IN their dealings, but Marshal
Mcmahon was perhaps the most liberal Of
q When he retired from Office he had
serf1ced half his fortune to the upkeep OF
position, and his mansion in the Rue
sslechasse was very heavily mortgaged
order to enable him to entertain Shah
Aasr-ed-Din Of Persia in what he and his
wife, the Duchess of Magenta, thought a
% I'M 10 .nN nf
!heir opinion, that's all. the legislature
Aving voted no money for the purpose
sno the gallant old soldier being too proud
70 ask It is just to add that after the
marshars retirement from office NJ. Gam
ostta, though his political adversary, took
sosantage Of his position as chairman of
me Budget Committee 10 force the Cham
UT TO vote a sum sufficient to cover this
particular official outlay and thus free the
a-President from debt. 1t was. however,
Win the utmost difficulty that MacMahon
.0ua be induced to accept this compensa-
oon Nom the state.
fhs only two Presidents who resembled
a Falleres in financial economy were
4mefs and Grevy. The latter was so mig
tHdy that he was able TO save enough
run his official emoluments TO purchase or
VUud an apartment house in Paris each
gar Of his incumbency. while Nine. THEIRS
vas wont 10 visit her tradespeople and ar
'sase Tor the taking back OF empty bottles
sao Jars from the Elysee kitchen. On one
occasion, when the Russian Ambassador
aao been invited 20 luncheon, as the Presi-
ssnt at dessert was about to take par
s'uiarly fine pear from the pyramid o.
us on the table she stopped him. ex-
satning In a loud whisper: Not the big
sat one, Adolphel You know, We ere
esspang that for the dinner this evening.
seeolent to his rather impertous better
.Aa. THEIRS took smaller pear and haIveo
with the representative Of the Car.