Both Houses of Congress have passed a Bill reducing the
salary_ of the American President from £10,000 to it old figure of £5,000 a year, the reduction, of course, not to begin till next term. As the increased salary was only given to General Grant, and as his Administration has been exceptionally corrupt, the Houses pro- bably think they may as well save the money, while it is possible that they also desire to diminish the 'President's wish to stand again. The vote, however, cannot be justified by any reason which will satisfy statesmen. Washington is one of the dearest places in the world, Americans are habitually careless of money, and the President, with his lofty position, his immense patronage, and his control over the spending departments, is in a position of great temptation. It would be far wiser to allow him £40,000 'a year, the French allowance, and retain half of it in the Treasury as "deferred pay." He would then go out of the White House after his two terms a moderately rich and contented man. At present, he is asked to quit the position of a king for that of a poor farmer. Cincinnatus did it ; but Cincinnati's was a patrician, whose rank, in his own eyes, was not affected by his poverty.
