The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-02-24
EX-SENATOR BRIon's EXPENSES
Entertaining in Washington Comes
High to Social Aspirants.

From the New York Herald. Tt-h
The late Calvin 8. Brice was one Of the
most lavish entertainers who figured In
official life in Washington It Is estimated
that he spent upward OF 100000 year upon
himself, his family and his large circle OF
social acquaintance. One OF his former
associates in the senate. referring to the
death OF Mr.. Brice. relates this incident
of him.
1t appears that Mr.. Brice and his family
were rounding up their expenditures at
the close of a particularly brilliant but
expensive season. 1t was discovered that
the outlay for the year amounted to S225,-
900. 1t is said that Mr.. Brice said to his
wife:
my dear. IL you are willing to retrench,
think we can do so. Now. propose that
you run our household expenditures with
in $4,000 a year, and Twill promise to put
away 100000 year for a rainy day.
Either the suggestion was made in
spirit of jest or Mrs. Brice was not pre-
pared to retire from the field OF her social
triumphs, for the proposition was not ac-
cepted.
If vice-President Hobart depended en-
tirely upon his official salary, which is but
5000 year. he could not entertain as law
ishly and delightfully."- as he does. The same
might be said of Senator Foraker, of Ohio
Senator Mcmillan, OF Michigan; Senator,
Fairbanks, of Indiana: Senator Murphy, OF
New York; Senator German, of Maryland.
Senator Quay, of Pennsylvania Senator
Lodge, of Massachusetts,; Senator Elkins
of West Virginia, and Senator Wetmore, of
Rhode Island
In the house of representatives there are
number of men who live away beyono
their official salary, but they do not make
as much display In the social world as such
men as Representative Hit, of Illinois;
Spraque, OF Massachusetts,, and Newlands,
of Nevada. Senator Hanna Is known to
be very wealthy man. but he does not
spend much more than his salary for his
legitimate living expenses. There are many
other rich men In congress VINO live plain
ly. but comfortably. within the limits Of
their official income.
Looking southwark, 1t lie not difficult to
find number of senators and representa-.
tives from that section who manage to live
happily and contented upon the 5000 per
annum they draw from Uncle Sam. A
glance over the minority side OF the sem
ate, and one may count the men Of wealth
upon his two hands. In former years the
south sent her rich planters and slave
owners to represent her In congress. Times
have changed and the majority Of the DEM
ocratic senators are poor pen who have
nothing but their salary to live upon. They
do not make an effort to plunge In society
of course. there are a few exceptions-but
they own or rent comfortable homes in a
quiet neighborhood, and some of them maui
age to save something each year from their
salary.
In the house of representatives the south
ern men are, as a rule, exceedingly econom-
ical. They spend es little time in WASH
ington as possible when congress is not In
session, and while here they live In small
homes and in modest boarding houses re-
moved from the fashionable whirlpool.
Some of the members are so frugal that
they do not draw the $75 worth of station.
cry allowed them each session, but they
draw the money instead, and buy outside
the capitol cheap stationery, or use the pa
per and envelopes supplied to the various
committees on which they serve.