Daily Republican., 1880-01-27

ICDmgreshOD0t Lille - AAA WhAt ne
now Assumss-C Agents
and Attorneys IgmOred-Senater r
CenklinE-HOwC ConsFess,nen are
| Duped.
Special Correspondence Of the Republican.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. q, 80.
1t Is sommon thing to hear men
envy the easy life OF q Congressman.
To persons who never or rarely visit
Washington, and are therefore unac-
quainted with tho duties Of Congress
man and tue labors that are impouse
upon him, the belief Is universal that
member dwells upon "fowery beds
Of ssse," and that he has nothing to do
but make a speech occasionally, and
draw $1,000 per year. A more srro-
neous idea never prevailed. A member
of Congress who attends properly to the
needs Of his district, and the call f his
constituents has but little time for pleas
ure and recreation. He Is one of the
hardest working men in the country.
Years ago, when the population was
smaller, when mail facilities were OF
the stage coach order, and when but
few citizens had any business with the
public departments at Washington,
Congressman bad not great deal to do.
Letters were few and far between, and
there were few claims and pensions to
look after. Then the NJ. C.'s gave
themselves up very largely to pleasure.
In those days cards, horse-racing and
cock fighting were popular amuse-
ments with the national legislature.
Ever since the war the demands OF
constituents upon their members have
beel growing until now Congressman
is expected to attend promptly to all
business that every man in his district
may have in Washington. If he ne
elects he runs risk as to reelection.
The man who has claim against the
government for services during the war,
for property taken or for anything else,
rarely ever thinks Of putting 1t in the
hands Of any Of the numerous Law
firms or claim agents in this city.
He encloses the papers to his member
Of Congress, and requests that he make
1t special matter. If he is unsuc-
oessful he makes Gin the majority of
cases,) an enemy Of the claimant. II
he keeps trace of all the bills and pub
lie measures, and labors for the success
of his own, he has as much as one man
can perform. There is his committee
work, and his department work. appli-
cations for appointments to positions,
claims and pensions, and the many
stages through which all these matters
have to go. Besides the demands of the
nature described there are thousand
and one pecuniary calls upon members.
They are called upon by mail to con.
tribute to charitable movements. Then
II constituent, even though he may
have been "Out on lark"-inds him
selfin Washington without money, he
expects the Congressman who repre-
ssnts, him to replenish his purse and no
questions asked" There is now in
The Senate q gentleman who gives
every dollar of his salary to his wife, to
be used in responding to calls for
help and charitable objects. Mr.. Ste
phens of Georgia, since his return to
Congress has given away thousands of
iollars beyond his salary. Senator
Jonkling, it is said, in very quiet
way annually dispenses more than his
'alary in aiding others. Besides the
money that is given away, Congress-
nen are frequently made victims by
pretended constituents. Not long ago !.
! very fine looking iaan called upon a
member Of congress from a distant
state, and wanted to borrow $3.50.
He represented himself as a vonstit-
lent and brother Of a leading merohan
n the same district that the M. G. rep t
sssnted. The Congressman agreed I
o let him have It II he would telegraph Q
lis brother and get him to 60 his securi- !
y; when he received an answer to his II
elegram to come to him and get the Z
money. Very soon after our Cumming t
riend" returned aud produced the
stating that the security
you'd be given. The N. G. took the
constituent to the Sergeant
farms and got the $3.50. A few days :
fter the N. G. wrote to the brother h
rho had become security.--stating that 8
he loan had been given and he would v
10 glad, az soon as convenient, If he v
7ould send it on. But when he re-.
stved reply stating that he never
rent security or knew the party who
Iad received the money. the surprise
I the M. c. can be imagined. Thus b
ou can SEA the many annoyancss, pecu- "
lar TO the life Of M, G.. ... II
Ex-senator Patterson of South Caro- tt
ina is living in Baltimore, and is the j.
resident OF street railway. Senator
ION Cameron Is said to be largely in
crested in this enterprise. 1t has
roved satisfactory undertaking fnan- Il
tally and 1t may be that the fortune &
hat Senator Patterson lost in the "
outh may soon be recovered. Ex NJ