The Forrest City times., 1890-10-18
DON'T GO TO CONGRESS.
UNLESS YOU HAVE LOTS OF
 MONEY.
Washington Is an ExpensIve City aaa Aembsrs Are Fieeeed--The President of tks Clover Ciub Gives Some Startling Fig.
 urgcs-A Warning.

-
 urscs-A Warning.
 To the country constituent, to whom a $l0-bill ia a semi-occasional possess sion. his congressmaa's salary of S5,- 000 year seems actual wealth; income on which he ought not only to fare sumptuously every day and bo clothed in tiue linen. but also save money. To the congressman himself as Washington, obliged to "lSeep up his end" among men 10 whom 5000 means decent poverty. with unexpected expenses cropping np 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 anuocom'orla- ole inelastio qnanity.
 Living in Washington, per Sc. Is per hgps cheaper than in any other city north of the Potomac. Rents, except ID the fashionable quarter are not nigh; provisions, especially meat, fish and green vegetables. arc cheaper than .u either New York or Philadelphia. md servants wages outside the select circle, who consider themselves re- ,ervcd for senators and members oi the binet. are go DOT cent lower. The department clerk who Ia not responsible to society. with capital account eau take pretty house In he suburbs within easy reach ot tho treet cars aud live in comfort inside his salary of Sl,S00 n year; tho con- rressman, on the contrary Is more or tass fet,ered by the exisencies of his position. and finds any such Twin for ,idden by the law oi 'noblesse oblige."
 The congressman who brings his family to Washington has need 10 hay wife who is u practical eco1Qm st, unless. indeed. he is n man og means outside of his salary. The rent of a good house in an eligib c pcighbor- hood ranges furnished from Sl25 per month to ten tines that amount, or more for very elegant GU rtcrs; un- urnished. if you do not insist upon a well neighborhooi. you may get as ow as s65; still. s2o1 is not m unusual prica. and some desirable residences are leased Ut fancy figures.
 Fairly good board in a respectable boarding house may be had from Slo 70 SD week, but, as already said, congressman are generally expected to pay more than other people. Ha [ tue advertisements of rooms and board say member preferred. and the presence of such A ooe k supposed 10 giv. social status 10 his dwelling place ihe least expensive mode of living Is to take suite of rooms and get ones meals outside. provided. of course. the one is unincunbered with womaukind The cost at a swell hotel Is enormous
 If there be wife md daughters they must perforce. be we'll dressed aud always make au appearance cred- itabe to the husband and father Moreover. the question of carriage hire is m important one, Washington is the city of magnificent distances, and to pay the numerous calls which arc obligatory upon the wife of every member of congress n carriage is m absolute necessity.
 The item of postage is n still more serious one O'Neiil. of Penusylva. nia. who never neglects to answer even a postal card. probably spends hundreds of dollars d year on postage, from 30 cents to sl day is an ordi. nary average during the actual session of congress.
 Il believe every body who ever heard of me writes to me about some thing or other. 1t is all l aud ny secretary can do to answer the letters that absolutely require replies. have been out of town for three days, and here are taose which are waiting for my signature. The speaker { western senator and as he spoke he held out what looked like the manu script of q typewritten novel In fact, more than cue cf the wealthier sena tors hands over his salary to conf dentlal private secretary. who take, charge Of his corresponds anc plays the agreeable to tho people who are constantly calling to see. him or some pretext or other. aud who would easily absorb all his leisure and more The constituents are themseves con. siderable source of expense increas ng in direct ratio to the proximity of tns members district to the capitol.
 His fellow townsman who runs shor, in Washington inyaribly comes to him to borrow $5 or $l0. which he not in, frequently forgets to return. and be hs man of any prominence he gets sl most us many begging letters us Geo. w. Childs.
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