New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-24
TYPICAL DAY OF A UNITED STATES SENATOR
At ITS END HE WONDERS WHAT INDUCES Any NAN
TO ASSUME DUTIES OF THE OFFICE.

is supposed to be charged against the Senator at
cost AS q result of the last provision, Senators
usually overrun their accounts. paying the differ
ence in cash. Whether the goods are charged az a
price that would be to the average merchant
has always been a question, but the convenience
OF a stationery shop at ones office door, where
there is never any question as to the trustworthi
Of the wares and the price is always at least
reasonable. naturally leads TO unstinted trade.
Every Senator pays cash for any excess over his
credit of $l20 year.
Another perquisite sometimes commented IN
the press is the Senate restaurant but that IS
blessing which IS not denied the public. on the
same terms "a a Senator, with its Waldorf"
prices and "Bowery' quality. lack Of quality.
Tho only difference IS that the public. having
perienced the delights OF the Senate restaurant
once, gives # a wide berth after. while the
Senator has no time 10 elsewhere. Just why the
Capitol restaurants not better is mystery
man has ever explained. Ask Senator, and he
will shake his head and sigh.
OF course. Washington IS ere round OF gaysty
in the season for which the Senator pays two
prices while etiquette denies him tho freedom OF
the private citizen. For his residence the Senator
must pay varying rental the minimum being
Slo00 a year. He must keep a carriage for the
wife OF practically every Senator and Representa-
tive besides the wives OF several hundred officials
will call on his wife formally. and those calls must
be returned. There $50 members OF tho House.
mostly married. Then there are the receptions
dinners. musicals. etc. al the White House. and
probably a hundred other formal entertainments
during the season. which must be attended in a
costume that procludes walking % the
streotcars. Domestic service in Washington Is
comparatively reasonable. thanks to the colored
population, but everything else Is unduly expensive
Everybody goes away I'm the summer. and the
tradesmen must make their years profit during
the season-and why should not the peoples SER
wants keep their prircely incomes IN circulation
To illustrate sample day Of q single Senator
take the experience Of Senator Blank. lie Is n
new Senator and has compiled with the usual
formalities at the beginning of the session. With
the aid OF his private secretary. who has had
years Of experience around the Capitol and who is
also the clerk Of his somewhat unimpcrtant
mittee-every Senator IS chairman Of a COMMITTEES.
with two eXceguons-Sengtor Blank has sent his
card to every other Senator, has burned the mid
night oil figuring out whether the Senator
from Idaho, who elected on the same day as
for it is an nfexble law that the Senator elected
last must send his card first. ant has received
somewhere q bushel OF calling cards in rc-
turn. lie has. this particular Cay, risen early.
breakfasted, and o'clock finds him I'm the room
which he has set apart for study. His serre-
tary Is already there opening his mail. There
thirty letters asking Cor government positions Ills
secretary informs him that since the Civil Service
law has been extended he Will have the privilege
OF naming one OF the charwomen who keep the
Capitol clean, ~ a remuneration of $50 month.
and II he is popular and there many bills re-
ferred to his committee, no may DO fortunate
enough TO get another clerk before the session is
over. He has several applications from widows OF
old soldiers One OF these must be selected
charwoman II she will accept a mental position;