Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1888-08-10
THE PAY-ROLLs OF CONGRESS-.
what 1t Costs to Keep the Eati0nsl Legislative
Wheels Creased.


what It Costs to Keep the Eati0asl Legislative
Wheels Creased.
New York Graphic.
There is one bill which, when it is
introduced into the Senate and House
of Representatives, is always sure of
prompt passage. 1t is the one which
provides for the expenses ofCOngress.
The tariff debate may delay cOnsid-
GRAFTON of nearly every other meas
ure, but when unanimous consent is
asked for the consideration of the
bill which apprOpriates the money
for the pay of the Senators and the
members of the House and the Of
ficers and employees of both, not even
the great Director, Mr. Holman OF
Indiana viii whisper a word against
it being brought at once to q vote.
The bill has just been introduced
from the Appropriations Committee,
and in spite of the assumed import
ance of the great tariff issue which is
filing the Congressional Record with
speeches for consumption during the
fall campaign the money viii devoted
that is asked for by this bill, and
viii be voted soon. 1t is an interest
ing compilation, this ten pages of
closely printed items showing the
way the money is spent to keep our
legislators in good working trim.
There are Just 401 members Of the
House and OF the Senate, and to wait
upon them and run errands and hold
open the doors as they pass in and
out, and carry the cards OF their call
ers and take care of the thousands Of
bills they put in, they have employed
about 400 people, who are paid the
snug lttlesum of 1864, 600 for doing
so. Fart. Every member has one
employ, and for the service of the
same there is paid an average of
about 81 800 each. The snug little
sum Of $380,000 is required to pay
the salaries Of the Senators, and for
the compensation of the members Of
the House 81 ,695, 900 is to be pro-
vided, and this brings the salaries of
our National lawmakers to a total OF
over s., 100000 per year.
1t costs a little less than $150,0O0
per session to pay the mileage OF the
members, and the country pays $780,
600 to purchase the stationery
III 4iltHABCLS ClllN OLlCGIc Vi luC
House alone in any one session.
The Treasury pays $52. 900 for
reporting the debates, whether
Congress sits for one month or for
twelve, as the official reporter, like
most of the clerks, are paid by the
year, though they seldom do more
han twelve months work in the
tWenty-fOur months that make up
a Congressional term. Right here is
where the political workers come in;
over $15O,0OO is appropriated for
clerks to committees, who have about
the suggest places in Washington.
One days time each week would in
all fairness suffice for heperfOrmance
of their duties, and that only when
Congress is in session When. the
adjournment takes place the good
clerks go home, and the first of every
month the ergeant-at-Arms forward
a check fOrs the salary due him, Just
the same as if he were engaged in the
Government service every working
day in the year. 1t requires $685.
600 to keep up the annual payroll
Of the officers, clerks, and messengers
that stand about under the dome of
the Capitol to do the bidding of our
4O1 working Congressman.