St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-09-26
1884,.
A sPAsM oF ECONOMY.

A new cause for sectional bitterness
for display of frenzied 0ratory, may
hap for war-haS just come to the fore
in Washington. 1t consists of an at
tempt Oh the part of some of the East
ern representatives who live within
easy walking distance of the capital-to
cut off the mileage allowances of their
fellow members who are compelled to
travel thousands or miles i'm comfortless
Pullman coaches. and eat their meals en-
route i'll catch-as-catch-ca fashion In
the bare dining cars provided by the
tranScontinental railway companies.
Those who live in the Eastern states,
and in Maryland, Virginia, and North
Carolina are not subjected to these
hardssSps, and their allowances for mile
age are Small-scarcely worthy of con-
sideration. But congressman or senator
residing on the Pacific coast can
make handy sum in the course of
term at Washington. The law allows
twenty cents to each senator and repre-
sentative for every mile travelled in GO
ing to and returning from Washington.
All of these officials travel on passes is
sued by the considerable railway officials
and sleep in StateroOmS FURNISHED gratis
by the sleeping car companies, while
in most cases they eat and drink at the
expense of the same corporatio rs.
Nevertheless, they draw their milage
allowances from the government with
exemplary regularity. This. in the
case of senator or representative re-
siding at Portland, Or, will amount to
the snug sum of S1,312 for each session
OF congress. or, provided there are no
extra sessions, to S2,624 year. or S5,24S
for term of two years. This amount
Is clear profit over and above the sal
airy of $1,000 year, and makes the bust
ness of a congressman in the far West
Or Southwest an exceedingly profitable
one, and the Office one well worth striv-
ing for.
In the states located near the capital
this perquisite is not of great conse-
quence to the congressman. They are
entitled to and receive but little, and it
is from this region that the opposition
to the allowance of mileage proceeds.
These members insist that, in view of
the fact that the cost of travel is now
but little more than two cents a mile,
and the further fact that all the mem
b.rs of our national legislature travel
free, the allowance of mileage is merely
petty steal, and should be abolished.
The Western and Southwestern mem
berS consider the proposition an inva-
sion of their rights, and threaten to re-
sist 1t to the bitter end. The air of
Washington is full of threatenings and
slaughter, and the prospect of lively
times is exceedingly favorable.
But there will be no change in the eX-
listing system. The history of the ma
tional legislature does not furnish an
| instance of the cutting off of any Of the
perquisites of congress by the voluntary
act of its members. The salary grab
was repudiated, it is true, but only after
| the emphatic reputation by the people
| of those congressman concerned In It.
| The franking priyilegeswaS abolished in
| obedience to an imperative public de-
mand, but after the excitement on the
| subject had died away it was restored.
| The distribution of seeds by the agri-
| cultural department was curtailed, but
only because of the trouble which ii
caused to the congressman, not from
motives of economy.
And so it will be in this instance,
| probably. There will be a little stir
| over the matter of mileage. great out
cry for economy by few OF those who
| profit least from the pernicious system.
and eventually the demand for the cor
rection of the evil will cease, and
the abuse will be as fragrant as ever.
But in the meantime much bitter.
ness will be aroused. Maryland and
Virginia will be arrayed against Texas
and Louisiana; Massachusetts and Con-
necticut will be contending against Cali
fOrnia and Oregon; brothers in the
political families will be aligned against
those of their own kin, and there will be
a general sundering of the ties thai
bind. But the war will be of short dur
alton, and after it shall have ended i
will be found that the congressman art
drawing their allowances as OF old, and
the public treasury will be none the
richer. Spasms of virtue are Away:
ephemeral in congress, and while this
one promises to be vigorous while i
lasts, it Will soon pass off, and the paGien
will take his rations with as voraciOus al
appetite as ever.
And so the work of reform goes on.