The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1883-10-10
POOR CONGRESSMAN.
The DimcuIty They Find In Living on
Their Salaries

The DIniouIty They Find In Living on
Their Salaries
A Washington letter to The Philadelphia
Press says; ran across Congressman the
other day who was looking for quarters for
himself and family for the coming session.
lie is a poor man, who is obliged to live on
his salary, and who is, therefore, compelled
to count the cost Of everything and cut his
cloth close. A Congressman's salary is
5000 year and mileage, and an allowance
of $roo, believe, for postage. I can no,
mention the name Of the one allude to, but
he has wife and three children. His mileage
amounts to about $500 or 5000 year. so his
income Is less than $500 year. Out Of this
sum he must pay three or four or a half-dozen
country newspapers for printing tickets IA
mere nominal service for a good deal Of
money!; he must pay for banners, trans
parencies, flags, brass bands, hand bills, and
| don't know how many Other things, to ssy
nothing of his own expenses in the campaign.
Added to all this, 10 chances TO one he has to
pay pretty dearly for his nonination---not,
perhaps, in buying delegates, though that is
often done, am told, but in paying car fares,
hotel bills, etc. So you see that when Con-
gresham comes to Washington he does not
have 5000 year to his credit.
My friend, as have said, is a poor man,
although he is one of the ablest men in the
House. He never made dollar improperly,
and does not know how to be dishonest. lie
stands as high as any member OF the House.
Said he ~ don't know what to do. have
lived in every way. When | first came to
Washington went to hotel, with my wife,
leaving my children at home and at school.
l kept up my house at home, and my ex-
penses there were little less than IL had been
there. My hotel expenses, including washing
and the outrageous extras one always finds on
his bills, were never less than 5000 a month.
My expenses at home were about half as
much; so, you see, could not stand that
The next winter went to boarding house
and left my family at home. OF course had
to have parlor and bed room. paid $Ioo
month al the boarding house. But did not
live; !, was simply miserable existence. A
boarding house table may give good, well
cooked food, bdt You are obliged to meet and
be polite to people you do not care for,
whom you delest, in fact. Then |
was deprived OF my wiie's company,
which, strange as it may seem, | still
appreciate. Well, ihatyear, by close economy,
and many depnyations, | came out about
even. The next year hired rooms and had
my meals sent in from a restaurant. But this
lie was very unsatisfactory. | had to take
my breakfast at certain hour, whether
wanted it or not, aud my dinners were served
at the same time every day, and they were
nearly always cold when brought But a
member of Congress cannot always be at his
dinner at the exact time. The House may sit
late, or there may be caucus or committee
meeting, or you may be detained by constitu-
ents, or dozen things may happen to detain
you. Well last winter, as you know, | took
a furnished house aud brought my entire fam
lily here. l shut up my house at home, but,
great Caesar my expenses drove me wild,
though l tried to live very quietly and
cheaply What shall do this winter heaven
only knows. suppose must 60 back to
the boarding house. A Congressman's life is
but dogs life, after ALL"
And my friend said nothing but the truth
Congress is certainly no place for poor man.
II he has family he can hardly make both
ends meet, even though he does not entertain.