Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-05

who had been his superior in rank and pay
He stood in the line Of promotion, but II
was question with the appointing
power whether the promotion should
be made or the place filled by
new man. The official pleaded so hard to
be given the honor of the higher office that
he finally got his wish, possibly because oi
the imminence of the change of administra-
ton. Now, it happened that and several
others knew that it was not honor
that was SO prayerfully sought by
the gentleman, but largely increased sal
ary, which he specially desired that he
might settle a recalcitrant board bill, re-
suit of spendthrift habits and undue conf
dence in the certainty of the reelection OF
President Cleveland. and his consequent
retention in Office. He knew he would be
bounced soon after the 4th of March, and
like the honest man he is, he desired to re-
tire in good order with the blessing of his
landlady.
PRESIDENTIAL PERQUISITES.
OF course, everybody knows that the
President receives salary of $50, 900 per an
mum. Beside that he has a number of fat
appropriations for contingent expenses,
which enable thrifty incumbents of the
fixed salary. These appropriations are
scattered about in deficiency bills, sundry
civil bills and legislative, executive and
judicial bills, and the lump cannot be dis
covered without good deal of fishing.
The tendency among our solons is to make
offices pay, and there fore to provide for fam
lily expenses and pin money from the public
treasury; and so there is a gradual widen
ing of the appropriations in all departments
for expenses which should be borne out of
the salary of the Official. This comes so
gradually that it is not noticed in passing
by the public, but one of these days some
meddlesome fellow will get out publica-
tion similar to the radical almanac pub
lished by the more daring wing of the En-
glish Liberals, in which will be grouped all
of these little things, and then there will be
a row in popular politics. Now they are
merely mentioned from time to time by the
newspaper correspondents, and then are lost
to view.
INCREASED SALARIES.
There is now scheme on foot to pay the
President $75, 900 year, the Vice President
and Cabinet officers $40, 900, members of
Congress from $4,000 to $4,000, and other
high officials accordingly; and, really, the
Salaries of officials of the United States are
absurdly small compared with those of for
eign nations. For instance, the British
Minister in this country receives over $780,
900. with an allowance for expenses and a
magnificent mansion rent free, while the
United States Minister at the Court of st.
James receives but S17, 500 all told Our
Minister to ST. Petersburg receives similar
pay, while the Russian Minister here re-
ceives S75, 900 year for expenses alone.
On the other hand our Senators and men,
bers of the House receive $1,000 annually,
while the representatives in the British
Parliament get nothing at all. This puts
great burden 'on the constituencies, or has
the more serious effect of throwing the
office into the hands of the wealthy class
who are able to pay the large bills of cam
paign. Very few of the Representatives or
Senators of the United States Congress save
anything out of their salaries, except those