The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-07
hard WORK OF SENATORS.
Mr. Allen Sometimes Gets 100 Letters a
Day From Constituents.

Dag from
WASHINGTON City, Feb. Especial. l.
The congressional life of the average sem
ator from Western state is not altogether
a pleasant one. Outside of Washington
City the opinion is almost general that q
member of the upper branch of the ma
tional congress has little to do but to re-
cline in the cushioned chairs on the Senate
floor and look dignitied. This impression
is a mistaken one. Investigation will
prove that senators. particularly from the
newly admitted states, have certain kind
of drudgery on their hands that men in the
everyday walks of life would by no
means envy. 1t is well established
fact that the members of the house of rep
resentatives from the Western states are,
for the greater portion of the time, little
more than messenger boys for their con-
stituents. The errands they have to do for
the people of their various districts are
vexatious and varied. This is also true of
the members of the upper branch.
1t is unreasonable to say that many of
the senators from the Western states re-
ceive from thirty TO 100 letters per day
from their constituents asking that
some favor be done them. They want
some matter in which they are personally
interested at some of the many depart
ments investigated, and expect an early
reply 10 every request they make.
IL can be said for Senator Washburn
that he receives about as many letters of
this kind as any man from Minnesota, and
no man who writes TO him fails to get an
answer. Senator Washburn is regarded
at the various departments as one of the
most active hustlers in behalf of his con-
stituents in the Senate. The senator has
private secretary, of course. but, in addi-
ton 10 this, is compelled to employ q stem
ographe- to attend to his correspondence,
and both of these men, as well as the sem
ator personally. are kept very busy.
Senator Davis IS another busy man. As
chairman on the Senate committee on pen
sions he probably has more correspond
ence TO look after than does his colleague.
General Washburn. Senators Casey and
Hansbrough, of North Dakota. have vast
amount OF correspondence and matters of
minor Importance to look after at the de-
partments.
Senator Pettigrew, of South Dakota, is
the hardest driven representative of the
state. He receives more letters in re-
quests for fayors than any man in the
South Dagota delegation. 1t was only to-
day that the senator was complaining that
he could hardly attend the sessions of the
Senate. owing to the vast amount of CORE
spondence that he had TO attend to daily.
Senator Allen, OF the state of Washing
ton, Is, without doubt, the hardest pushed
man from any Pacific coast state. The
senator's mali runs oil the way from thirty
10 100 letters per day, TO which he gives
prompt attention. Of course many Of
these letters request investigation of pri-
waite matters ut the departments, and the
work thus put upon Mr.. Allen IS BY no
means easy. lie said the other day that
these letters came from every county IN
his state, and he considered it as import
ant Is his legislative duties in the Senate
10 look after each and every request. 1t
Is probable that Senator Allen puts in
more time at his work as a senator than
any other man II the upper branch. lie
Is an early riser and begins his first work
upon his coEGes pOndence. When his mail
Is read through and the answers dictated
To letters that need no further attention.
he huslles of 10 the departments ana looks
alter the requests made By many OF his
constituents IN the mai received tina. day.
Senators Mitchell and Dolph. OF Oregon,
are bo.h busy men and hard workers.
another man who keeps himself under
weight all the time owing u the hard
work lie puts in for the people c.; his state.
In the Southwest il IS probable that Sena-
TOYS Nu.cott and Teller. 81 Colorado. and
--arey and Warren. OF Wyoming; Repre-
sentativcs Townsend ana Clark, OF n csc
two latter states. respectively. and Dele
gates Joseph and Smith, ut New Mexico
and Arizona, are the hardest pushed
members.
Senator Telier's wide acquaintance in
that section OF the country neeess.tates
the receipt Of many requests Of
people both IN and out cf Colorado.
ana lis important duties on the
elections committee, etc. makes up a very
busy DAY tor him. In addition 10 all th.s
. work tae senator IS usually in his seat
during the regular session and alert and
ready 20 defend anything IL which he 5
/ interested. Al that mas been said OF sen
! 2tor Teller pretty nearly applies 10 she
case et has colleague, Mr.. y o.cott
X Is true saying that the AVERAGE con-
gresham cannot live in the CAPITAL CItv
( SRp3 the Sau0 per au1um s2.ary paid
"lN-. ana IL IS nos oGt OF the way 10 ssy
/ 'A@t the majority oi them spend SID. COZ per
( NS3r aua ID Eot live very eiaaoratciy
/ t.tasF Ana san there are many AM
o-'1'ls men who are seeking these places.