The DeLamar nugget. [volume] (DeLamar, Idaho) 1891-1900, 1892-08-13
A CUNGREooMAN'o LIFE.
1t Is Not Altogether Blissfuf Elk
istence.
Some of the Annoyances with Which the
Average Statesman Has to Contend
Beset Every Hand by
Public Demands.

Most days of the average member OF
the house are repetitions each of the
other. a review of the twenty-four
hours made by member before closing
his eyes for a nights rest puts him to
sleep with the Thought that the lot of a
legislator is not always a happy one,
and that craftsmanship is the least of
things that enter into his days toll.
The correspondent of the Philadelphia
Telegraph asked one of the Oldest mem
bers of the house to keep a record of
one day of congressional life. This is it
in brief: Eight o'clock, breakfast;
eight thirty, opened mail and laid aside
all newspapers with marked articles
for future examination. Read upward
of ninety letters on all sorts of subjects,
of which the following are twenty ex-
amples: One is from a veteran asking
for information about his pension. sHe
gives no possoffice address, and am
obliged to write a letter to the pension
office to secure his address. Another
correspondent wants a number of vol
umes of geographical survey, which,
upon investigation, I find are not to be
had. A veteran writes that re commu-
nicated with the pension office Decem-
be Z, 1891, and got a communication
from then nearly month later which
made no reference to his letter; wants
me to go to the Office to see if his com
munication was received Another let
ter requires me to go to the pension of
flee to ascertain what there is defective
in the application of the writer for a
pension.
"a gentleman from the agricultural
department requests me to accompany
him to my home, where he is to deliver
a lecture to some of my constituents.
Another wants the Congressional
Record sent to him. An applicant for
pension wants to know where his pa
pers are One of my constituents writes
for me to secure him place in the gov
eminent departments Another wants
the report of the bureau of animal in
dustry- Another wants his pension
matter looked up, but does not give the
number of his case. Another wants
position in the government printing
office I'm another letter the gentleman
gives an account of trouble he is having
over the exaction of duties from him for
goods brought to the custom house.
This requires investigation at the Gus
toms division, treasury department,
and an examination of the law, which
shows the duties were properly col
lected.
1.-THE pension office notifies me of the
allowance of pension The Office also
wants to know how an applicant for
;a4 !,
Another correspondent wants informa-
ton as to the foreign insurance COM
panies doing business at the national
capital. A pension applicant wants to
know all about the surgical report in
his case. Another wants me to have a |
medical examination as to his condition |
made at his home, because he is unable |
to travel. Another letter is on the sub |
ject OF river and ifarbor improvements.
Another gentleman wants me to ascer-
tain what action has been taken in some
land case he has before the government.
fSThese are examples of requests con-
tanned in nearly hundred letters.
Each one requires a reply. and most of
them involve writing letters to the de-
partments or making personal visits
many requiring long personal examine
tons of department records and I'M
winding of lots of red tape. Most of
the matters are such as must be looked
into before going to the capitol.
''After this l go to the committee
work. There is different committee
for every day in the week, with sub
work besides, and on Satur-
day, besides several subcommittee to
look after, | have various departments
10 visit. At twelve o'clock | entered
the house, introduced bills, chased
around after the speakers eye, listened
to debates, took part in general lcgisla- /
ton, answering letters between times, ,
answering roll calls and received visits
rom Jorge number of constituents ,
md other persons who called me out by
ard. Five minutes is allowed for I
unch meanwhile. and at six o'clock l
line, At seven o'clock l again return ,
% my mail and to newspapers and to
,alnphlets and world of other printed 4
natter. This occupies me until eleven
'clocll, when, for the first time during ,
he day, get a chance for general read !
ng and for study, which occupy me :
Or an hour or more, until drowsiness
ompels retirement"
Biggest Man In Canada. I