The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-11-01
DON'T GO TO CONGRESS.
UNLESS you HAVE LOTS OF
MONEY.
Washington u an Expensive City aud Members
Are fleeeed-The President OF the Clover
Club Gives Some startling Fig
urges--A Warning.

sion, his congressman salary OF $J.-
600 a year seems actual wealth;
munifcent income on which he ought
not only to fare sumptuously every day
and be clothed In fine linen. but also
save money. To the congressman
himself ut Washington. Obliged to
keep up his end among men 10
whom 5000 means decent poverty.
with unexpected expenses cropping
up on every hand. with landlords.
boarding house keepers. tradesmen
and caterers OF all kinds regarding
him as their legitimate prey. the said
salary is apt TO prove anuncomforta-
BILE inelastic quantity.
Living in Washington. per Sc. Is per-
haps cheaper than In any other city
north OF the Potomac. Rents. except
in tho fashionable quarter. are not
high; provisions. especially meat fish
and green vegetables, are cheaper than
In either New York or Philadelphia.
and servants wages outside the select
circle. who consider themselves re-
served for senators and members OF
the cabinet, are 20 per cent lower
The department clerk who Is not
responsible TO society, with capital
account can take a pretty house in
the suburbs within easy reach OF tho
street cars and live in comfort inside
his salary OF $1,000 year; the con-
gressman. on the contrary. Is more or
less fcttered by the exigencies OF his
position. and finds any such living for
hidden by the law OF 'noblesse oblige."
Tho congressman who brings his
family 10 Washington has need TO have
a wife who is n practical economist.
unless. indeed. he is man OF means
outside of his salary. The rent OF
good house in an eligible neighbor-
hood ranges furnished from 1925 per
month to ten times that amount, or
more for very elegant quarters; UNI
furnished, II you do not insist upon
swell neighborhood. you may get as
low as 500; still. 5000 Is not an unusual
price. and some desirable residences
are leased at fancy figures.
Fairly good board in respectable
boarding house may be had from $40
TO $40 week, but as already said.
congressman are generally expected
To pay more than other people. Half
the advertisements OF rooms and
board say member preferred" and
the presence OF such one Is supposed
10 give social status TO his dwelling
place. The least expensive modo OF
living is 10 take n suite OF rooms and
get ones meals outside. provided. OF
course, the one is unincumbered with
womankind. The cost at a swell hotel
is enormous.
II there be n vito and daughters
they must periorcc, bo well dressed
and always make an appearance cred
liable TO tho husband and fnther.
Moreover. the question of carriage
hire is an important one. Washington
Is tho city Of magnificent distances.
and to pay tho numerous calls which
arc obligatory upon the wife OF every
member of congress carriage is an
absolute necessity.
The item OF postage is still moro
serious one. O'Neill. OF Pennsylva-
mia. who never neglects to answer
even postal card. probably spends
hundreds OF dollars a year on postage.
from 80 cents 10 81 day is an ordi-
nary average during the actual session
OF congress.
IL believe everybody who ever
hoard OF mo writes 10 me about some
thing or other. IL is all | aud my
secretary can do TO answer the letters
that absolutely require replies. /
havo been out OF town for three days.
and here are those which are waiting
for my signature" The speaker WAS
n western senator and us he spoke no
held out what looked like tho manu-.
script OF typewriter novel. In fact.
moro than one OF the Weather sena-
tors hands over his salary u a confl-
Dental private secretary. who takes
charge OF his corresponds and
plays the agreeable 10 the people who
arc constantly calling TO see him on
some pretext or other. aud who would
easily absorb all his leisure and more.
The constituents are them.cyes con-
siderable source OF expense increasing
in direct ratio to tho proximity OF tho
members district 10 the capitol.
His fellow townsman who runs short
In Washington invaribly comes 10 him