The Laclede blade. (Laclede, Mo.) 1890-1945, 1905-01-21
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Our Regular Correspondent Writes From the
National Capitol.

AuC JuulCiuAy COmuAoC00 VI oh
senate now has under advisement
bill introduced by Senator Gallinge
last March providing that after tn
4th of March next the salary of tn,
president Of the United States shall
be increased from $4,000 to SIS, 900
of the vice-president and of the cabi
net officers from $4,000 to $15, 200; o
the speaker of the house from 5000
to $4,000, and Of senators and rep
resentatives from $4,000 to $4,000
Still more recently bill was intro
duced in the house providing for a
salary of 100000 for the president
and also providing that the president
after his retirement from office should
receive $25, 900 year during his life.
These bills are in no way like the IA
nous salary grab of the seventies
when congress voted itself not only
increased salaries but back pay, for
the senate recommendation states that
the bill is not intended to take effect
during the life Of the present con-
gress. 1t is interesting to observe
with what unanimity the desire for an
increase of the salary of the president
is felt. Almost without exception the
I senator's and representatives declare
themselves to be in favor not alone of
an increase, but of a permanent in
come for retire'l president. There
is consensus of opinion that the
work of a president has vastly increas-
ed since the law was passed giving
him salary of $4,000 a year, and
that, compared with the compensation
paid by other countries to their rulers,
the sum of 100000 would not be.
large. Concerning the amount to be
paid after the retirement Of a pres1-
dent, many congressman are emphatic
in saying that it is the business Of the
country to see that her ex-presidents
are provided for in way that be-
comes the dignity of the Office and the
nation. The democrats in congress
who have been interviewed on the
subject are of course less enthusiastic
for they have but one ex-president,
and Grover Cleveland is already a |
wealthy man, and rejecting that
Roosevelt is still a young man and
after his term has expired would
draw a salary for perhaps forty years,
their Indifference may be understood.
***
Humane people in Washington are
much interested in bill that has
passed the house and is pending lin
the senate to prevent the cutting off
of the feshy and bony part of the
horses tails-docking, as it is called.
The operation is really a severing of
an extension of the vertebral column,
and besides causing excruciating pain
it renders the horse defenseless for all
time against tormenting flies. 1t is
urged by the societies for the preven-
tion of cruelty to animals that all hu-
name people shall write to their mem
bers and senators, urging their sup ,
port of this bill. 1t is known as SEN
tie bill 2O86, and applies only to the
District Of Columbia, but it is proba- !,
lie that inasmuch as some states, led
" Colorado, have passed such bill,
imilar bills will be taken up and !,
passed in different states. There
hould in fact be an amendment to !,
he bin making it a penal ofense to :
lip horses in the winter season. Elec-
rical shearing machines are in use in !
IAny stables and remove the longl
|ir which nature provides all ami
ais in cold weather, and at the very
sason when men and women don ex-
y underclothing, furs and overcoats,
horses, at the behest of cruel
fashion. may be seen in Wash T
a and in other cities naked to Ii
|eskin in coldest andwettert weather. R