Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-03-17

WHAT 1T Cost TO SUPPORT A GESTEET.
FAMILY AT THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT EIGHTY
YEARS AGO.-The following estimates of the
expense of supporting So genteel' family at
the seat OF government Of the United States
during the years from 1889 to 1898 inclusive are
taken from the Treasury books. A genteel'
family in those days seems to have been the
family OF the head of a bureau, and the esti-
mates 60 ON the suppOsitiOn that il was neces-
sary for such family to keep four servants and
two horses. Perhaps some of our citizens who
hire brown stone fronts, and are bothered with
four servants, can tell us what it costs i'm these
DAYS.
1t will be noticed that each bill includes the
cost of liquors for the family. A government
omcer, IN estimating his expenses in grave
document intended for the consideration OF
Congress, would probably leave the liquor bill
OUT even if he were inclined to Oc naily ia Ike
nip on the sly.
JANUARY 80, 1893.
Sir: do myself the honor OF inditnp a letter
addressed to the Hon. Robert GOodloe Harper,
ESQ, covering estimates which he requested
might be made by me for the purpose of aiding
in an inquiry into the expediency OF increasing
the compensation OF the executive officers OF
the government, i'm the late reference to the
this with some difiidence, and now beg leave to
submit them to your consideration previous to
their delivery.
have the honor, &C.. j. NoUnsr.
The hon. OLIVER WoLCoTT, Esq.
JANUARY 80, 1893.
Robert Goodloe Harper, ESQ.
SIR: do myself the honor of inclosing an
estimate OF the expense of supporting genteel
family in the years 1883, 1890, and I19i, at the
seat Of government of the United States
amounting to 81 ,5i91s, and another state me mt
in the years u.s. to l.ss inclusive, in the aggre
gate amounting to 81 1886.
From the experience have had during both
periods am persuaded the estimate wi on
inquiry, be found rather below than above The
true sum.
subjoin certificate of Mr.. Michael Roberts.
which applies to the very expensive item of
house rent, and two bills, one in the year 11.2
and the other in the year 1898, for the cost of
wood, with a memorandum Endorsed.
The estimate for housekeeping is, in neither
instance, greater than actually does arise to the
visits to their friends or homes in the several
states from whence they were selected. or in &C.
casional expenses in the hire of carriages.
a. The item of marketing may appear large to
those who are not accustomed to reside in cities,
and who have no families. Where hired SER
wants are indispensable, the expense is greatly
increased, and am OF opinion that to include
groceries, liquors, soap, candles, and the great
variety of articles not readily enumerated, the
estimate of % cents per head for the first period
and 90 cents per head for the last, per day. is
not more than the actual expense of this item.
The article OF personal expense at $50 each
Tor the parents and children, estimating six, to
include the variety of clothing, tailor's bills,
doctors bills, schooling, Is not more, believe,
than every genteel family experiences. 1t may
not be improper to remark that the head of one
of the executive departments paws $l,Oo0 per
annum rent. These estimates, therefore. may
than heads Of departments.
beg leave to enclose an extract from the
journals Of the Senate, I'd session 5th Congress,
satiOn to the heads of the departments has not
been increased since their first establishment in
1889.
have the honor to be, sir, yr most obdt and
most h'ble serv't,
{Signed,] JOSEPH NOURsR
The following estimates referred to, in the
Estimate Of the Expense ,chieh could hare attend
ed the support Of a geRteei family at the seat Of
Government in tie years 17s9, 1880, 1871.
Dollars per AnnnR,.
Mouse neht. 800 "
WOOD. % cords, at $i................... loo 90
Horse keeping, horses. ............... 200 90
Marketing, estimating the family to
consist Of 2heads of family, 4 children,
4 servants, at IS cents on an average
each per day, including groceries.
Wages or servants, viz: i cook, man "
servant, chambermaid, child ser
want, at or 66- 100 each. ...... I3I %
Personal expenses Of persons at $50
each ......................... 800 90
80 $40 10
Estimate Of the Expense ,chieh ,coaid hare att
tended The support IF genteef family at ue-seot
d Gorernmesti. tie gears 1882 asd 1895 incla-
SIRE, ca da acreage.
Dollars per Annam.
Wood, % cords, ct NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 200 o.
M Mo,ss t,;sspin sss.; ncssss a. sse Sc
consist Of 10 persons, at 30 cents on
average each per day, TO include
wssss q ngsSss q :, Ne; : %
each, including washing :........... SD 90
Personal expenses, including DOCTORS IS.
bills, schooling, clothing persons at
$40 each ..,.................. $50 90
s4.ISs 66