Evening star., 1896-03-24
HAS NO USE FOR BARRIERS
The Kansas Statesman Resumes the
Role of Economist In
the Senate.

Early in the session he took the field in
srmor clad to fight against the extravagant
funeral customs Of the Senate, and, al
though he failed to secure the passage Of
his bill, he nevertheless attracted nation
al attention to the absurdities of the Gus
tom that has grown up of providing
elaborate ard costly junkets every time
member of the upper house adjourns from
this sphere. During the middle of the ses-
sion and up to yesterday he has been placid
ana compliment, but the announcement of
the legislative appropriation bill yester-
day awoke him from his apparent trance,
and 1t became quite evident that the states
man from Medicine Lodge was on hand
with his double-handled, two-edged sword
| ready to lop of the heads of iuxuries wher-
ever they might appear.
Mr. PETER Still I'm the Pairing Busi-
The nrst discussion came on the PROPOSE
ticn to Increase the salaries Of the clerks
OF several committees, and after there had
been considerable said by those defending
and opposing the amendment, Mr. PETER
said that he was still in the business of
| pairing down expenditures. He said he had
on his efforts to reduce 1.-The expenses of
dead Senators that there was a good deal
OF interest manifested to see whether some
sort OF legislation could not be effected
-.
He was very much gratified to see, a short
time ago. ttat his amiable friend, Mr.
Chandler. had joined in what he thought
were laudable efforts in the direction of
economy, end asked for certain informa-
ton about the expenses Of the Senate
He was row rather grieved to fini that
MI Chandler had taken the other tack. He
thought 1t might be because Mr. Chandler
was connected with the navy for SO long a
time. With This mild Pefferian pun, the
senator from Kansas moved an amendment
to the pending paragraph. which resulted
In Its postponement for the time being.
He returned to the front again when an
other paragraph was reached ostensibly in
creasinS the number Of messengers under
the sergeant-at-arms Of the Senate to forty
six He asked for an explanation, and was
told that ten Of this number are now car
ried on the rolls as skilled laborers, while
performing the duties Of messenger and
the amendment merely changed their desig-
nation.
His Persistent Question.
In the next paragraph Mr.. PETER discov-
cred skilled laborer at $1,000" He wanted
to know what kind Of work this individual
performed.
Mr.. Cullom, who was in charge Of the bill,
could not exactly tell him. The man, he
said. had been I'm the service Of the Senate
for twenty odd years and worked some
where down in the basement.
1Edt uoes Not answer my question:, per-
sisted Mr.. PETER. "Is it not the fact tina.
this man is a barber?"
Mr.. Cullom did not know the exact duty
In which the man was engaged and 50 Mr..
PETER objected to the amendment. At this
point Mr.. Chandler, once Mr.. PETERS COM
panion in the fed Of economy, came
to the front and protested against Mr.. PEI
fer's objection.
Suppose this man is barber" he said.
Does it n,.t require skill to shave the other
Snr1o of.ar- mot he L
myself. If this barber is doing this work,
does 1t not require skill in handling a razor
upon the faces of Senators?"
Not in my case" said Mr.. PETER. whose
flowing chin adornment has practically be-
come the trade mark Of the pcpulist party.
For and Aeninst the BARRIERS.
''The Sc lator wants to know whether the
provision means the employment of skill
full barber to shave the ether Senators of
this body" Ietorted Mr.. Chandler II think
it does."
MY object" said Mr.. PETER. "is to get
rid of the BARRIERS in the Senate.
Il will ask the Senator" continued Mr.
Chandler. If 1t Is fair. because he and 1
do not need a barber, that We should not
be willing other Senators should have the
little luxury of this skilled laborer 1 want
some large measure Of reform. and am
willing that some small measure of reform
shall be made. But, Of course, il the Sena-
tor insists upon having a vote of the SEN
ate on striking out this provision, we will
have 1t; but think we had better seize.
on reflection, the $1O,OOO and fasten It onto
the committee, for otherwise there is dam
ger. If it is not done now, that before the
bill is disposed Of they will withdraw that
economy"
What object to-" Mr.. PETER said. els
that Senators employ BARRIERS to do their
barbering work for them at the expense of
the people of the country. 1t is time that
public attention should be called to this
and great many other items of expendi-
ture which are not only unnecessary, but
are viciously extravagant, and 1t is time
that a halt be called somewhere. II We go
through this bill we will find a great many
different items that ought to be stricken
out, and 40 far as 1 can keep up with
them 1 propose to ask that they be
stricken out, rot only In reference to la
borers and BARRIERS, but in due time for
Senators themselves, SO that we shall show
a --spoSition to economlze in the expendi-
lures for ourselves as well as in larger
trans lctions"
With this Mr.. PETER discontinued his as
sault for the day, and the barber was
spared from the slaughter.
Some Changes Made.
The bill was proceeded with 20 the end of
the session at about 5:15. and tine items re-
lating to the Treasury Department were
reached. The force of the librarian for the
execution of the copyright was on motion
Of Mr.. Hale increased from eight to eleven
The salary of the controller of the treas
ury WIS fixed a &5 fd0 and fnaf Of tho