The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1884-01-17
THE POOR CONGRESSMAN.
How He Must Economic to save
Money While Living In Washing

ton.
Judge Rems;lell in Philadelphia Press
| ran across q congressman the other
day, who was looking for quarters for
himself and family for the coming SEES
sion. He is a poor man, who Is obliged
To live on his salary. and who is, there
fore, compelled to count the cost Of
everything and cut his cloth close.
A congressman salary is $1,000 year
and mileage. and an allowance of $1G0, |
believe, for postage. l cannot mention
the name OF the one I allude TO, but he
has wife and three children. His
mileage amounts to about 5000 or 1900 a
year: so his whole income is less than
$1,000 q year. Out of this sum he must
pay three or four or a half dozen coun-
try newspapers for printing tickets IA
mere nominal service for good deal OF
money; he must pay Cor 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, I am told, but in pay
ing car fares, hotel bills, etc. So you
see that when congressman comes to
Washington lie does not have $4,000 q
year to his credit.
My friend, as l have said, is q poor
man, although he is one Of the ablest
men in the house. He never made II
dollar improperly, and does not know
l.. L. u, CD l.,
high as any member OF the house.
Said he, 81 don't know what to do. /
have lived in every way. When first
came to Washington l went to hotel,
with my wife, leaving my children at
home and at school. I 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
$500 a month. My expenses at home
| could not stand that The next WIN
ter | went to q boarding-house and left
my family at home. OF course | hal
to have parlor and bedroom paid
800 month at the boarding house
But I did not Live; it was simply mis-
cradle existence. A hoarding-house
table may give good, well-cooke1 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 |
was deprived of my wiie's company,
which, strange as it may seem, | still
appreciate. Well, that year. by close
economy and many deprivations, came
ont about even. The next year hired
rooms and had my meals sent
in from neighboring restaurant.
But this life was vorJ unsatis-
factory. l had to take my break
fast at q certain hour, whether
l wanted to or not, and my dinners
were served at the same time every day,
and they were nearly always cold when
brought. But member of congress
cannot always be at his dinner Mt the
exact minute. The house may sit late,
or there may be 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. l took furnished
house and brought my entire family
here. l shut up my house at home, but,
Great Caesar my expenses drove me
wild, though tried tN live very quietly
and cheaply. What / shall do this
winter heaven only knows. l suppose
l must go back TO the boarding house.
A congressman lie Is but a dogs life,
after all"