The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-11-26
WILL THEY TAKE THE PENSIONS?

Will n eX-president of the United
States ever accept $25, 900 a year from
any fund created by Andrew Carnegie?
VIII any man once elevated to the
highest office in the world take an
annuity from any private individual
or fund created by private means?
Millions of Americans will refuse to
believe that anything of this kind can
happen until positive proof shall be
given to the contrary. They will be
reluctant to feel an ex-president can
be pensioned from any source beneath
the national government itself. They
are not willing to admit that a former
chief executive Of this republic will
ever consent to be wholly, or in part,
supported by the generosity of any
private citizen who is under no spe-
Cial obligations to him.
Look back to the history of former
presidents, as far as General Grant,
consider their needs and the manner
in which they cared for themselves
and their families after retiring from
the White House.
General Grant himself was unwise
enough to become a partner in a Wall
street brokerage house, and it's dis
astrous failure IN the little panic of
1884 brought the aged hero to pc
cuniary distress in his last years. But
even this painful incident was redeem
ed, in large measure, by the energy
and fortitude which the great soldier
displayed in working out his own H.
nancial salvation.
From General Grants time on, no
man has retired from the presidency
so situated that his personal needs
and the support of his family gave his
friends and admirers the slightest
anxiety. General Garfield was killed
in Office. and his country, by a great
popular subscription, provided gener-
cusly for his widow and his children.
President Arthur, succeeding him, left
an estate ample for the maintenance
for those dependent upon him.
President Hayes, whose term imme-
diately followed hat Of General Grant,
lived for years in diSniied and hon
CRADLE retirement. taking part in no
unseemly enterprise and finding sum
cient, income from his estate to meet
his moderate wants.
Grover Cleveland left the White
House, after his second term, with a
comfortable fortune, n in his later
years lived a life of entire ~independ-
ence and self-respect which was GER
tainiy more to the liking of his coun-
trymen han any possible position as
a pcpsioner Of one millionaire or a
dozen.
So Benjamin Harrison, after his
term of four years, went home to In
dianapolis, resumed the practice of his
profession, accepted only such cases
as confoFmed to his station and his
talents, and finished his industrious
and useful career as a w~ell-to-do
honored and honorable American who
wished for no mans pecuniary fayors
and asked no mans help.
An ~assassin's bullet cut short viii
liam McKinley's life at the BEGINNING
of his second term, but if he hac
survived he would doubtless have fol-
lowed much the same course which
was taken by General Harrison. Al
for Theodore Roosevelt, the only living
ex-p9esident, can any one imagine hin
seeking OF accepting q pension Of s25.
900 ~ year from Andrew Carnegie, 81
~snygpther private source?
It8remains to be seen what Presi
dent Taft will do in regard to thii
matter after he retires from the Whit
House, hut there is no doubt thai HI
will return to private life abundant.
able to provide for himself and hi
family without engaging in any du
pious undertaking or unSeemly activi
ties bf whatever nature.
Irg view OF these facts. the who'll
country win have to be convinced b
actual demonstration Of tlle willing