The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1905-04-27
DepartmentaI Life in
Washington, D. G.
By Mrs. Martha Lemon Schneider.


from young lady asking to be
advised as to whether woman earning
good salary in one of the depart
ments, should resign her position to
enter the holy state of matrimony with
one whose only financial support was
derived from a government position
similar to her own.
To those who have never lived in
Washington, and whose knowledge OF
the life of a government clerk is
| limited to a belief that government
position signifies plenty OF spare cash,
plenty of spare time, and little to do
at any time, this may seem easy to
answer.
| These will not understand how two
people who love one another, could
hesitate to start life together on an
assured capital of twenty-five dollars
week. They do not realize the
difference between that amount in a
small town or city, and its equivalent
in large city and where not only
house rent is high but living expenses
also.
Washington is situated in the midst
of impoverished farms OF Maryland
and Virginia. A hundred years ago
these fed the states or we're capable OF
so doing. The best from these farms
now goes to New York, often coming
back here, with prices beyond the
means of government clerk.
Meat must be purchased at "Beef
Trust'' prices plus the railroad
charges.
There are no manufactures of any
account within the city. With the
exception of the bricks Of which most
of the houses are built, everything in
the construction of house and its
furnishings are brought here from
other cities.
1t is often stated that the average
clerk receives here larger salary than
he would receive for similar work in
large corporation, or even were he
engaged in business on his own
account. This may be true but his
environment would also be different,
the purchasing power of his money
greater than here. A government
position secured, his desk work
mastered, for time the young clerk
is of the opinion that he has sat last
got that snap for which he has been
looking;" but in the course of time he
begins to realize some of the differences
in his position here and if he were
serving some big reliable firm or cor
poration.
With these he would have daily
incentive in the thought that he might
sometime in the future be deemed
worthy of being made a member of the
firm; or has to buoy him up the hope
of recognition from the corporation for
services rendered. If he is in business
for himself, he works hard and saves
his money to increase his business,
taking from it for his living expenses
only what he absolutely needs. He
realizes that he must always lay aside
something to tide over the dull season.
He does not marry until he is able
to support wife, or if he does, his
wife does not know his income and
takes what he chooses to give her for
current expenses. If she is good
economical wife, she makes this do,
if not she becomes burden instead
of the helpmate she should be.
The wife of department clerk
knows her husbands salary to the
cent, and she soon realizes that she
must make every cent tell. She can't
indulge herself with things beyond
her means, consoling herself with the
thought that: "It is the busy season,
John can afford to let me have this"
or, "John says Cuisines is good"
he must give me an extra amount to
meet this expense"
Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter,
the stipulated sum of salary fixed by
the law of congress and the signature
of the President, is what confronts the
wife of government clerk.
No lucky deals, no generous gifts
from appreciative masters tides over
or enables them to pay a debt, in
Cured perhaps, through illness OF self
or little ones. When the government
says twelve hundred it mean just that
sum, no more, no less, and woe be-
tide those who get in arrears.
Take this young couple who are
anxious to marry, yet are afraid to
venture for fear that they will not be
able to get along on twelve hundred
year.
| they take small room and board
for the first year they may exist.
Table board range from eighteen to
twenty-five dollars month (all
expenses are calculated by the month
here) and furnished rooms from ten
to twenty-five dollars. Of course room
and board can be obtained for less,
but the average clerk is usually one
who requires through birth and breed.