The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1897-12-09

Zone of the Few Men Who Do Not Care for
Swelldom)
they make senator or representative
for himself and wife pay anywhere
from $500 to $500 per month. They be-
lieve that senators and representatives
are rich men anyway, and that each of
them ought at least spend his salary of
$500 per month while he remains here
In his official capacity.
Strange as it may appear, the states
men appear to coincide 18th the hos
telry robbers. They know very we'll
that it is not fair to be taxed so much
for the mere privilege of existing in
Washington, but they find that all peo-
pie engaged in the business charge APP
pccximate,y the same price, and hence
they. submit like lambs led to the
slaughter.
During the two weeks preceding the
opening of congressional session the
legislators begin to arrive at the capt.
tai. and it is creditable to these states
men that a majority of them are ac-
companied by their wives and children.
although it is exceedingly expensive to
maintain families here
The men in public life who come
without their wives, as general thing,
do not last long. They fall into evil
ways, get into the habit of handling
cards and cut glass. and thereby lose
sleep, while at the same time they lose
their self-respect and soon cease to be
on speaking terms with themselves.
But that is another story. We want just
now to talk about their living expenses.
Very few men in public life save any
money out of their official salaries. As
general thing senator's and repre-
sentatives spend more money than they
receive from the government. Not only
is the cost of boarding exorbitant, but
the disposition to put on airs" particu-
larly among the ladies, costs many hun
dreds of dollars.
Senator Knute Nelson, of Minnesota,
is one of the few men who do not care
for expensive appearances There are
few men like him. He wants official So
ciety to take him for what be is, with
out any tinsel veneering. When he was
q AACuAO CA "a NhC uOuSC Vi SSCu lde
tives he was frugal and careful. For
several years he lived here alone in
quiet boarding house and left his fam
lily in the Minnesota home Thereby he
saved little Of his salary, but finally
left congress of his own volition be-
cause he could not afford to remain in
public life. Now that he is in the SEN
ate he is living just as quietly and un-
rretentiously.
Senator Allison, of Iowa, lived for
several years IN the hotels of Wash
ington, but that was IS years ago. For
many years he has occupied the resi-
dence of his late mother-in-law, Mrs.
Grimes, and has lived there prudently
and with comparative frugality.
Senator Cockrell, of Missouri. lives
as modestly in Washington as he does in
his Missouri home. and his family is
likewise unpretentious. By careful
economy Senator Cockrell has managed
to buy house on II street. more than
two miles from the capitol building;
and. although he is we'll advanced in
years, he frequently walks from his
house to the capitol to save street car
fare. But there are few men who are
SO economical and saving. However,
that is the only way for public man
to live within his means.
Senator Brice, of Ohio. paid $4,000
year for the rent of a magnificent resi-
dence, but Brice is millionaire aud
can afford to spend money that way If
he wants to do so. Moreover, inasmuch
as Brice began life as barefooted or
phan and made all of his money out OF
his own brains, liberal-minded people
do not begrudge him his princely lux
ury. While he was in the senate he
gave away more than double his salary
in charities. ::
Senator Hanna has been paying at
the rate of nearly $1,000 month for
apartments in a prominent hotel ever
since he came to live here as a states
man, but he also is very rich man. and
his senatorial salary of $4,000 year is
a mere bagatelle to him. We poor peo-
kle. however. who are obliged to work
in our various capacities to keep the
wolf from the door cannot help looking
with envious eyes on the men who can
make money enough to spend money in
that grand manner.
Senator Turpie, of Indiana, the man
who succeeded Benjamin Harrison in
the senate. has always been very un-
pretentious man in the social world.
and hence his living has not been very
expensive. But. if it had been. he
could have met all bills, for he makes
great deal of money as lawyer. Al
though he has not made airy effort at
display as an expensive liver. Senator
Turpie has been a prominent figure in
the senate. and has spoken learnedly
and eloquently upon all important
topics. AS a matter of fact. it makes
very little difference whether a man.
dimes on, canvasbnck duck or on ham
and eggs provided be is an earnest, sim: