The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-12-29
THE POOR coNGREssMAN.
How He Must Eeonomise to savo
Money While Rsiving I'm Washing-


tom.
Judge Ramsden in Philadelphia Press.l
ran across congressman the other
himself and family for the coming ses-
sion. He is poor man, who is obliged
to live on his SALARY, and who is, there
fore, compelled 10 count the cost of
everything and cut his: cloth close.
A congressman's salary is $1,000 year
and mileage, and an allowance of 500,
believe, for postage. cannot mention
the name of the one ] allude to, but he
has wife and three children. His
mileage amounts to about 5000 or $300a
year; so his whole income is less than
$500 year Out of this sum he must
pay three or four or a half dozen coun-
try newspapers for printing tickets Ga
mere nominal service for q good deal of
money!; he must pay for banners,
transparencies, flags, brass bands, hand
bills and don't know how many other
things, to say nothing Of his own ex-
penses in the campaign. Added to all
this, ten chances to one he has to pay
pretty dearly for his nomination not,
perhaps, in buying delegates, though
that is often done, am told, but in pay
ing car fares, hotel bills, etc. So you
see that when congressman comes to
Washington he does not have 5000
year to his credit.
My friend, as I have said, is a poor
man, although he is one of the ablest
men in the house. He never made a
dollar improperly, and does not know
how to be dishonest. He stands as
high as any member of the house.
Said he, "I don't know what to do.
have lived in every way. When I first
came to Washington I went to a hotel,
with my wife, leaving my children at
home and at school. [ kept up my
house at home, and my expenses there
were little less than If had been there.
My hotel expenses, including washing
and the outrageous extras one always
finds on his bills, were never less than
$300ta month. My expenses at home
were about half as much; SO, you see,
I could not stand that. The next win
ter I went to boarding-house and left
my family at home. Of course I had
to have parlor and bedroom I paid
500 month at the boarding house
But did not live; it was simply mis-
erable existence. A boarding
table may give good, well-cooked food,
but you are obliged to meet and be po-
lite to people whom you do not care
for, whom you detest, in fact. Then I
was deprived of my wife's company,
which, strange as it may seem, I still
appreciate Well, that year, by close
economy and many deprivations, I came
out about even. The next year I hired
rooms and had my meals sent
in from neighboring restaurant.
But this life was very unsatis-
factory. I had to take my break
fast at q certain hour, whether
wanted to or not, and my dinners
were served at the same time every day,
and they we're nearly always cold when
brought. But member of congress
cannot always be at his dinner at the
exact minute. The house may sit late,
or there may be a caucus or commit
tee meeting. or you may be detained by
constituents, or dozen things may
happen to detain you. Well, last win
ter, as you know. I took a furnished
house and brought my entire family
here. shut up my house at home, but,
Great Caesar my expenses drove me
wild, though tried to live very quietly
and cheap1y. What I shall do this
winter heaven only knows. I suppose
/ must go back to the boarding house.
A congressman's life Is but dogs life,
after all"