The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-12
Uncle Sam is a Very Eco
nOmiCaI Employer.
Many Poor Men Now Hold PO-
sitiOnS of High Honor.
Allison, Carlisle ami Dingley Not
Even Fairly Well OFF,


retary of state feel at liberty TO say that
certain conscientious not generally known
70 the public at large have had 10 be taken
account OF In the framing Of the cabinet
For instance, Senator Allison declined to
be secretary OF state pGNpiy because OF his
pleasant place in the senate and because nc
prefers senatorial 10 executive work. But
among tho considerations which he took
into mind was bis lack OF wealth. Senator
Allison is poor man. Ho has little
property out in Iowa, and he owns house
and lot in this city, but his property is not
productive OF income, and no has practical
ly nothing 10 live on but his salary as q
senator. lie could not afford 10 accept a
place iu tho cabinet for this reason, II foi
no other A cabinet minister, especially q
secretary or state must spend moro than
bis salary II ho is TO discharge tho social
part of his duties In becoming style.
Whilo General Gresham was secretary OF
stato ho was hard up for cash all tho time
ana spent eath year several thousand dol
lars more than his salary, although he lived
and entertained in very modest way. lie
was not nble To take house and found ID
cheaper To 1.-Two in apartments at a hotol,
where tho rates were made very low by the
landlord, personal friend OF tho secre
tary $, who was not unmindful of the ad
vantage TO Lis house of having so distin
guishCd an ofilcinl as the secretary OF state
among his guests. Ii General Gresham had
lived in "A house of his own and carried out
his social obligations as secretaries OF state
usually do, bo could not have got along
with an expenditure Of less than $50, 900 a
year and perhaps $500 AS 10 was, he
managed 10 ecrape through on about Sl2,-
0O0, n net loss Of $4,000 for every IL
months of his incumbency of tho state de.
partment. In the ono item of dinners and
lunchcons Mr. Gresham had an advantage
through bis residence In the hotel, for the
landlord could servo meals for him from
his regular kitchen at much lower rates
than caterer would hayo charged or less
than 10 would have cost had the secretary
had his own esta tablishment
They Have Modest Incomes.
Senator Allison could not take the state
department without running into debt,
and this ho was unwilling to do. While
he might Lot hayo been willing to leave
DIS pleasant place In the senate even II lie
wero rich man or well enough TO do to
enable him to afford the sacrifice, as mat
ters stood 1t was purely out OF tho ques-
ton. The same considerations had their
weight with Gov Dingley, who declined
10 be secretary Of the treasury In tie Nc
kinley administration. Governor Dlngley
Is far from being rich man. He owns
newspaper in Lewisto'. Me-, which pros.
pcIs fairly well, but In tine nature of things
II docs not make "a great deal of money.
Governor Dingley's chief income is his
snlary, and while ho manages to 1.-Two COM
fortably upon that in his simple way as a
congressman, Us secretary Of the treasury
he would find 1t necessary to spend great
deal moro money. He and Mrs Dingley
now live In two comfortable rooms in q
modest hutel, where they arc very simple
and even ola fashioned In their tastes. AS
secretary Of the treasury bo would find Ii
necessary to set up more pretentious es-
which would not only be
contrary to the tastes and desires of Mr..
aud Mrs pingley, but more expensive
than their modest income would warrant
without too much sacrifice.
He VIII Soon he Free.
Secretary Carlisle will leave tho treasury
department. in u few weeks u very poor
man. / doubt If he is worth $4,000.
Probably il bis debts were paid he would
not have cert. This is "a pretty good rec.
for man who has been |
a.
life. Mr. Carlisle has really been public |
servant, counting his service in the Ken. |
tucky legislature, in tho house of represent. |
atiyes, Ia tho senate and in the cabinet, for |
81 years, nearly tho whole of his active life. |
He is now Cl years old and without any |
or income for his declining years. |
During tho four years Of his occupancy OF |
the oflico Of secretary of the treasury he |
has lived up to his salary, and / am told |
that but for tho good management of Mrs. |
Carlisle, who IL model manager and |
housekeoper, the secretary would have |
found it necessary 10 run into debt
Fortunately for MIR. Carlisle, he can now
turn his attention To the making Of some |
money. L understand ho has an offer Of |
S25, 600 year to go to New York and be-
como counsel for big corporation on such |
terms as would leave him free to do u gen.
oral law business. He also has an offer of |
a sum nearly as large To go to Louisville To
engage In the practice OF law. He has not
rs yet decided what ho will do. But with
his talents and reputation no will have no
difficulty in acquiring "a competence during
lho noxt ten years of his life, IL his health
md strength bo spared. lie has given all
The best years of his lifo TO his country and
has the satisfaction OF knowing that he has
served IL well and faithfully even II it has
not recompensed bim with an opportunity
20 save up something for his old age.
because He lis Rich.
j know other instances of men who have
leon considered for tho Mckinley cabinet,
Iut who arc 100 poor Ia this world goods
20 make tho sacrifice required. One man
5 likely 10 get place in the Mckinley
abinot moro because he has largo wealth
md Is willing 10 employ a part uf 1t in
making social display in Washington
han because OF bis talents or reputation,
hough ho Is well qualified for the Office to
which ho is likely TO be appointed.
Those facts and many others of like ma
uro that constantly come To our notice
zero I'm Washington convince all disinter-
stcd observers that the United States gov
rnmont ought to pay its members OF the
aihnot and porbapa many other public Of
lcials larger salaries. 1t ought to no pos
ibIc for every poor man whose ability and
amo makc him eligible 20 appoint 90 ac-
cpt publlc service without the feeling that |