The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1873-07-25
Deoeptions.

I
capital, and the latter By usage. Both
these allegations says the New York
San, are wholly untrue. The habits and
tastes of members of Congress, as well as
the usages and prices that prevail at
! Washington, are too well known to admit
of successful Misrepresentation Con-
gress may be said to be divided into three
classes-those who occupy apartment
or rooms as they are Familiarity called,
and get their meals at the hotels or res-
taurants those who live altogether in the
hotels or boarding houses; and those
who have private residences of their
| own.
The first class is altogether the most
numerous, and always has been 10 since
the old practice of Congressional messes
was abandoned. An average suite of
rooms in a central situation, with fire
and lights, costs about $50 month, and
meals at hotel $40. Add $40 for inci~
dentals, and the member is actually set
up at 500 per month. Many do not ex-
pend near so much. Others are extraEa-
CANT about their indulgences.
The expenditure of the second class
| depends upon the choice of lodgings
Boarding houses at Washington are
| neither dear nor good, and some of the
hotels affect New York prices So the
outlay may be regulated according to the
| discretion and purse of the member.
The third class is the most limited in
numbers and expensive in practice
Housekeeping is costly at the capitol for
those who do not reside there perman-
emily, and since Washington has been
converted into a mere winter watering
place by the Presidents prolonged absen.
ces, prices have still further advanced.
Still, there is no obligation to set up fine
house or dashing eqHipages, and the
shOddyites who most indulge in that sort
of fashy display are the least valued
morally or socially.
According to the Congressional Direc,
tory, little more than one half the mem
bers of the House carried their wives to
Washington at the last session of Cons
gress, although it vas regarded as excep-
tionally attractive from being short
session which would include an inaug>
uration. And of the aggregate of both
branches of Congress, less than sixth
part kept house. The great majority
preferred the other modes of living, be-
cause they involve less care and annoy
ance for few months residence.
Here then is practical proof which ut
terly destroys the pretenCe that the price
of living at Washington JUST fed this in>
crease of pay. That excuse was fabri-
Gated without the least warrant of any
kind. 1t is a sheer and shameful inyen~
! ton to cover up an audacious fraud. So
far as the back pay is concerned, there is
not another instance in the whole history
of legislation where such an iniquity was
perpetrated as to force a plundering
scheme like this upon an app reputation
bill, and then drive it through in the
closing hours of the session.
Heretofore, when the per diem practice
was substituted by the annual salary
and afterward when the latter was raised
there was fair notice and manly discus
sion of the merits of these propositions
Bat in this case trickery was employed
throughout, and suspicion in the public
mind was disarmed by the original vote
on the bill reported by Butler from the
Judiciary Committee. Upon a motion &c
attach it to the Miscellaneous Appropria,
tien bill on the 10Th of February it was
defeated by a large majority-yeas, 81 IT.;
nays, 100; non'y0ting, 80. After thi:
result there was no further test until the
28th of February, when the Legislative
Appropriation bill, which had been re-
turned from the Senate loaded down will
jobbing amendments, was under cOnsid
Grafton. Late that night Butler renewed
his proposition, this time reducing tn
pay of members to SC, 500 to catch yotes
It was twice nominally defeated by put
ting the screws on, and compelling mem
bers to go to the record before their con
stituents.
But when the majority had the powe
to clinch the record if they were sincere
they consented to an adjournment, leav
ing the ques ton open, and Butler enter
ed motion to reconsider his defeat,
this farce may be called by such q name
The next day, March l, Buffers motion
was the first thing in order, and then tn
whole deception was exposed, fer tn
majority undid their former work with
out change of countenance, and DELHI
erately passed Buffers amendment 70
Sc 500, knowing well at the time that Ii
Senate would raise it to $500 in tn
conference committee.
Then the bill went back to the Senat
on Saturday night and after long debat
: until Sunday morning tMarch p it Wa
s ordered to packed committee. And
s the House the Speaker appointed two {
: the three conferees favorable to the il
e crease upon the ground that the votes il
n dictated that sentiment So from first [
d last, in cant phrase, it was put up jol
d which had been contrived between th
y President and the leaders from the begir
- ming of the session.
y This bill was passed by a Re publica
: Senate with so clear majority over Dem
Gratis and Liberals combined by Z,
L publican House with a clear majority
25 over Democrats and Liberls combines
!, and was urged, approved, and signed /
q Republican President Such is Il
. ,.,.L,- o,y,ot IF tbe .,v,,ost;oy, srd tLara