Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-07-28


making Viii Is In operation-Cap-
itoI Maintenance.
WASHINGTON, July 20. Especial J.
The last extra session of congress was
in 1898, and a disagreeable season it
was for the representatives and sena-
tors and everybody else who was
thereby compelled to put in time at the
national capital during the usual hot
weather vacation.
That extra session was called to re-
peal the silver purchasing law AS
there were big differences of opinion
about the ACCESSIBILITY OF repeal, the
session was long drawn out and CORE
spondingly eXhausting- much longer
and more exhausting, probably, than
an extra session would be this year If
called to consider the Chinese ques-
ton. Still an extra session this year
would have drawbacks peculiarly it's
own. the chief of which would be due
to the fact that presidential cam
paign OF unusual importance in the
eyes of men of all political faiths is on.
Cost of an Extra Session.
/ have no figures at hand showing
what the extra session of 1893 cost in
dollars and cents. but the total was
very high-so high. indeed, in the then
depleted condition of the treasury as
to make it a matter for very serious
consideration. The cost per diem of
sittings would probably be greater
now than 1t was then, but it would not
be considered with such apprehension,
since the treasury is not now SO low.
The pay of representatives and SEN
ators mounts up to nearly $2,500,oO0 a
year, but, their compensation being
calculated Oh the annual basis, they
get nothing extra for an extra session
beyond their "perquisites," such as
mileage and the like. Possibly this is
one of the reasons why they object to
sittings out of the ordinary, though
truly the hot weather horrors of Wash
ington are quite sufficient to account
for all the aversion they feel toward
coming here in July and August.
some of Uncle Sans Expenses.
Speaking of congressional expenses
it is not generally known that the
costs about $50, 600 a year, but so it is
The building is in charge of a specially
appointed architect whose duties are
20 see that all needed repairs are made
promptly from time to time and TO
give the great structure thorough
overhauling every summer. This in
oludes painting the big rotunda inside
and out, besides other parts of the
building, and there ought to be some
curious statistics concerning the tons
of white lead and other colors, barrels
of linseed oil, etc, that are thus used
up every summer.
Seven carpenters are kepL busy the
whole year fixing things and doing
odd Jobs Six painters are likewise
continuously employed keeping the
surface of the walls in good order.
-Four plumbers devote their entire time
to looking after water, gas and steam
pipes. A skilled eoppersmith does
nothing but inspect the roof and mend
leaks therein. To the keeping up of
tile grounds half dozen gardeners and
Is or 20 assistants devote their entire
attention, while young army OF scrub
hers and sweepers and busters keeps
the rooms, the corridors, the outside
steps, etc, preSentable.
All these expenses are in addition to
che care and repair of the house and
senate quarters proper. They are look
ed after direct by the two branches of
| the national legislature, tens of thou
sands being spent annually this way.
Inv .isaF Al
ment on the smarter, more splendid APP
pcarance of the senate wing as COM
| pared with the wing occupied by the
! larger 'lower' house This is by no
means imagination, but few only know
the cause of the difference. Among
those who assume to be posted it is
said to be due to the fact that while
the senators are elected for compare
lively long terms by the state legisla-
lures, the representatives tenure of
office is shorter, and they are chosen
directly by the people. Thus the latter
are directly responsible to the voters
and do not like to risk being thought
too eXtravagant. while the former are,
in a measure, more Independent of the
popular judgment on their doings. 1t
seems a pity that such a difference
should exist, since white the senate is
sometimes unduly extravagant, the
house is sometimes too economical 10
make really dignifed showing.
Police, Transportation, Etc.
Perhaps $4,000 year is paid out for
senate and house repairs and renewals
of furniture. Fuel and lighting cost
$4,000. Engineers, elevator men and
worlmen cost nearly as much more.
Capitol policemen draw almost $4,000
a year. Possibly the most economical
OutlayS of congress are for religion.
Unless there has been change re-
Gently in this matter, only S1,S0o
year is paiG out in this direction, the
salary of the chaplain of each house
being only 5000. This is not so very
L.