Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 May 1902 — The President’s “Dont’s.” [ARTICLE]

The President’s “Dont’s.”

Here is a fact which few people know. Among the many things from which a president is restrained is the liberty to go outside of the boundary lines of the United States. This rule does not apply to any official but the president. Kings and queens are not bound so tightly as the president of the United States. A foreign ship in port is foreign territory, and the president cannot step his foot on board. This ruling comes down to us from George Washington’s time, and but two presidents have broken the rule. The first was President Arthur, who was accused of crossing into Canada while on a fishing excursion, and the second was Grover Cleveland who, while on a hunting trip to North Carolina, sailed around Cape Hatteras and was thus obliged to go outside the three-mile limit. Among other liberties he is denied are: He should not accept an invitation t6’ dinner. The president cannot carry a personal card. One card does for all presidents. The inscription readsj “The President.” He cannot accept valuable gifts from anybody. All gifts presented by various other nations to American presidents generally find their way into the national museum. A president should never allow himself to interviewed. Two have— Tyler and Cleveland.