The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1893-03-31
LIFE OF LAWMAKERS.
Bathed, Shaved and Shined Free
by the Government.


share. For example, let it be sup
posed that senator feels tdtlgued al
the close OF an afternoon session.
He descends TO the basement of the
capitol and has warm bath drawn
for him in superb tub of white
marble. If he prefers he can make
it Turkish bath, for which all the
appurtenances are at hand. There
are negro attendants skilled in mas
sage who will Ihump and slap him
to his hearts content. For all this
he Is not required to pay cent.
Perchance a favorite corn has an
noYed him during the day. He
summons The official chiropodist, a
salaried expert in government em>
ploy, who operates tree OF charge
If he expects to spend the evening
out, he may want a shave and a
haircut. which are readily obtained
at tue hands of deft-ingered bar
hers, likewise In the service of
Uncle S I'm. The hair-tOnic applied
to his lucks, the brilliantine' tor
his m ustache, and the cologne be-
slowed upon his countenance
through an atomizer are all pur-
chased out of the contingent fund
of the senate. Finally, a gralui-
tous "shine' is put on his boots by
by stiPendiary shOeblack.
Among other things which the
contingent fund pays for are castor
oil, of which any senator can get a
dose for nothing. quinine pills,
pond lily wash" and court plaster.
These are but a few OF hundreds
of such queer things which are
enumerated in the accounts OF the
secretary of the senate, together vii n
ginger ale by the case and lemons
by the box, as being required at
government expense for the comfort
of that august body. The repre-
sentatives at the other end of the
ca pltol have their barber shop a So,
but they pay for their shaves and
hair-cuts. For some reason which
has never been satisfactorily ex-
planned. a senator is supposed to
have need of many more luXurles
than are granted to member of
the house.
BLESSINGS OF THE PAST.
Several hsefui prlvi eyes which
congressman formerly had they no
longer enjoy. They abused The
right of franking to such an extent,
using it to obtain free transportation
for all. sorts of packages and bum
dies, that 1t has been restricted.
At present they are only allowed IT,
frank public documents and official
letters. Each senator or represents
alive has an annual allowance OF
1925 worth OF stationery. This is
nrawn upon by reqnisluon for any
thing that is wanted from the big
sta,iOners' shops at Ell her end OF the
capitol. Until recently these shops
kept such things i'll stock as pen-
knives, opera>glasses, clocks, etc.,
the consequence being that many
legislators bought their Christmas
presen at cost prices out OF their
allowances. This was put a stop 10
finally. Railway passes are no
1nger so readily obtained as before
the interstate commerce law came
Into force. but 1t is believed Ibat
mDst congress men get them just the
same.
Congressman are allowed ten
cents TOR every mile travelled in go
ing one round Trip from home t.
Washington and back during EACH
essiOh of congress. A member
from California would draw $500 on
tins account. In the early days IF
'he national legislature senators and
representatives were paid at the rate
ct So per day for every day of act
uaI service. The roll call thus
served as salary list. There be
lug no railways then, instead of ten
cents a mile. one days pay was
drawn for each twenty miles travel
ed. Twenty miles was considered
d fair days journey ON horseback
rr by stages. Nearly every crn-
gresham has book of franks tor
elegrams, supplied by the Western
Union company. Such book CON
Iains 100 detachable stamps, and
Il he holder, when he wants to send
a message, simply tears out one and
8 icks it upon the telegraph blank
These franks are being used t.
considerable extent at present for
kilograms which have relation to
appointments TO Offices. The pos
SCISSOR is not supposed to employ
them tor business purposes, but only
on private matters.
Representative used 10 be allow
Ell to draw on their salaries in adj
vance from the sergeant-at-arms If
the house. When the famous ST.
colt defa cation occurred a number
of n.em bers were found to have I
money ahead on their salaries. The
sergeant~at-arms did a large busi>
ness IN lending money TO members
and shaving their notes at high !
rate of interest. He would make
loans which were secured by the
members salary and by a life insur-
auce policy guarantee the latter'S |
survival. He could only lose in
case member resigned, which did |
happen on two or three Occa si0ns.
L. one instance he ent a an S10.- |
100. The entire amount OF his salar. |
- t,po voxrs ~ Saryia, ahead |