South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1884-01-18
South 9rantl. 5ntelliseater.
RouNEY FRIDAY. JAN. is. 1894.

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RONNEY FRIDAY. JAN. Is. 1894.
Tnk ExrRAvAaANr SENATE. The
salsries and the general expenses Of
the Senate are out Of all proportion 20
tLose Of the House Of Represents tivss.
This discrepancy has grown. like other
unchecked abuses, because the Senate
has insisted upon regulating the pay or
its officers and the amount Of its con-
tingent fund. while the House has
weekly yielded to the uuwarranted A.
sumption.
A joint committee was appointed at
the last session with view TO an adj
justment of these differences. The
demands of the Senate have prevent.
ed any agreement. The case now stands
as it has stood for years past. It
remains to be seen whether the present
House. which. holds the purse strings,
will consent to continue tho abuse.
The estimate for the next fiscal year
aggregate $500, 662 for tho United States
Senate. There arc seventy elk members
Of that boiy. The average cost is. IN
round numbers, $4,000 for every Sen.
ator.
The estimates for the House of Re-
representatives. aggregate for tho satne
tune s2.295,423. There are three hun
dred and twenty-five members OF that
body. The average cos. is about $1,000
Tor every Representative, or less by on
third than in the Senate.
The contingent fund Of tue Senate.
winch Is dlsoursed by the Sergeaut-at-
Arms, under the sanction of a commi,fae
OF three, appointed to audi. and control
the expenses, has long been s1uandered
Tor objects not contemplated Ey law.
In these respects the Senate is man
aged as close corporation. Partie,
may differ and separate on the floor, but
behind the scenes, with some honoe,b1c
exceptions. theirs is little to choose he.
tween them. Personal comfort, pleasan,
indulgence, and luxurious habits at the
public expense are not only permitted
but are encouraged, aud hayo become
recognized usages
In truth. glaring abuses are common
in both Houses. A member of Congress
Us allowed $4,000 year in salary, with
Ten cents mile for travel going to and
returning from the capital. Ho receive,
$40 ayear for stationery and newspa-
pers, but this allowance may be drawn
In money and expended or retained of
the discretion Of the member. AS sta
tionery is literally supplied 10 all The
committees, economical members draw
their supplies from this source and mock.
ct the allowance. The Botanic G arden
and three other horticultural establish
ments supply members aul their rami
hes with flowers for receptions. dinners.
anu even for funerals, Baths and at.
tcndants are furnished free to Senators
and Representatives. Sc, ioo-are. bar.
bers and bootblacks. disguisstlas labor.
ers In The appropriation acs. Horses
and wagons and drivers are used by
members without cost. fhe Senate wing
OF the Capitol is partly utiiz d as a
warehouse for storing the furniture aud
tie effects ofmembers of that body du.
ring the summer months,
There is extravagancs at both ends
of the Capito', but tue Senate IS the more
luxurious and self.iuduigont body Like
all other appropriation bills this yea,
tho Legislative bill should be made in
the intcFes: Of economy and reform. -
NeY York Sun.