Wichita eagle., 1888-04-25

It to See Els Wife Walk-No Place for
Poor Man.
Only few DAYS ago newly elected MEM
Der Of congress said to me:
II have given up permanent place, with
salary somewhat larger than that Of a MEM
Der OF congress. l presume II don't tread
on too many of my constituents toes can be
renominated, and my district is sure TO be
| carried by my party. That will give me at
least four years in congress and S20,OCO.
Can save half of THAR
told him he could. but that it would re-
quire self denial, almost entire abstention
from social enjoyment, and satisfaction with
humble quarters and plain food. As a rule
none but the rich or very poor ought to &C.
cept Office of any kind at Washington. The
rich can spend money; the very poor are not
expected to do so, but the men of moderate
means, small incomes who have been accus-
toned TO some of the Injuries of life, are very
fortunate if they make their salaries and
their expenses meet
Senator McCreery. who some years ago
represented Kentucky in congress. was re-
puUed TO have saved some $50, 600 out Of
$75, 600 that he received in salaries. But he
lived in the utmost frugality. There YVES a
cheap hotel in Georgetown, whose rates were
some 81 e week for board and lodging, and
here McCreery lived He would walk from
this place to the Capitol and back every day,
thus saving 81 or so a weak in car fare,
and his personal expenses were insignificant.
None of his salary went to hackmen, to
florists, to Wormley or Chamberlain; he
never played poker and never went to the
tEent nd yrh no ia
enough to live on for the rest of his days.
representative from one OF the New Eng
land states has served twelve years, and is
believed to have saved 1000 of the s6O,-
600 salary he has received But his habits
were simple; he boarded at a second rate
hotel, his family remained at home, and he
spent his evenings playing whist when at
leisure, and had no more expensive habit
than the taking of a single toddy just at bed
time.
A Missouri member was obliged to decline
denomination some four years ago because
he found that in spite of all he could do he
was running behind $1,000 or $4,000 each
year, though he practiced law i'll his vaca-
TONS
Said be to me when / asked him why he
had declined to come back especially when
he seemed just about to win high esteem in
congress:
Il can't stand it to see my wife walking the
sidewalks and BIS wife riding in a car
rage, and she can't, either. ] can't stand it
to go with her on foot to a reception and see
Blank and his wife step out of a carriage,
and it costs me more than my salary every
year because / can't. l am going home to
make my fortune When get rich enough
to own my own carriage perhaps L may come
back"
In the winter of 1881 member of congress
from q Pennsylvania district was in despair.
He had failed of a denomination. He was in
debt, though a man of good habits. The
future looked black to him. During the six
years he had served in congress lie had lost
his law practice, and he regarded those years
as worse than thrown away. He had got TO
begin all over again, and burdened. too, with
debt One evening as he sat brooding in de-
spair a telegram came. He opened it per-
functorily. 1t contained these words:
"You have been nominated by the Repub-
ican caucus for United States senator, to
succeed Senator Wallace"
Nomination meant election, and Mr.. Mitch
ell was sure of being a United States senator.
Yet be hesitated- He did not see that it
meant anything more than staving off for six
years his trouble, and if he had had a dollar
in the world he would have declined the nom
nation. But he was compelled to accept the
office because it meant an income. The six
years have gone and Mr.. Mitchell is out of
public life. But he has bettered but slightly
his condition, and he has always felt that he
would have done well had he followed his i'm
pulse when he read that telegram.
The experience Of men who have been long
in Washington is this:
First, that ambitious young men who are
poor had far better keep away. So far as the
clerkships are concerned they are demoraliz-
ing. They take the snap, ambition and vigor
out of men, and unless early abandoned make
mere machines out of men. Let no poor
young man come 20 congress unless he comes
determined to save money. 1t is possible in
two terms for young man to save, while
living respectfully, $4,000. With that he
will be able to make 4 start again when he re-
turns to private life. He will have to make q
start. No man, either engaged in active pro-
fession or active business, goes to congress
without injuring his business.
Let no poor man, and above all, no man of
moderate property, seek high office unless
he is prepared to live simply. 1t will require
heroism and self sacrifice, but that will be
better than debt and misery after leaving
Office The day when Office must be given up
viii surely come The poor man who cannot
accept official life without the determination
Of saving some Of the salary will do we'll to
keep wholly out of it. Nothing but misery,
misfortune and the temptation to dishonor
await him. And the young man who is build
ipnr m rlrofeSSi0Dal u.octica Shorrld SnuU
public life until he has attained professional
success Two masters cannot be served sue
cessfully who are so jealous as any of the pro
fessionS and public Office are.-W ashinston
Cor. New York Mail and Express.