The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1906-09-20


Sybaritcs-Evea in the Old Capt.
tai the Member From Produnk
Leads a Life of Luxury, With
Flunkies to Look After His Crea-
ture Wants and All at the Expense
of the People.
George Robert Agnews in the Char
lOtte Observer.
A glimpse at the Iuxuries generous
v furnished TO themselves by Con
Eressmen ont Of the peoples funds
may explain why Congressman are
% anxious to retain their jobs which
pay them only $1,000 a year, and
demand nearly as much IN order 10
secure reelection. They receive
more than $1,000, when comfort and
luxury are considered. In no coun-
rv in the world is the legislative
oody housed with such imperial dis
regard Of expense. Congress Is not
satisfied with the Accommodations that
served for nearly century, and Is
building two marble palaces adjacent
10 the Capitol, where prodigal ex-
pense Is used to add to
'he bodily comfort Of the lawmak-
srs.
Each of these palaces will cost
about $7,000,000 furnished The fur
nitWe has not yet been selected, but
It Will be of the finest and richest des-
eription. The buildings are of the
most ornate aud lasting construction
Quilt largely by day labor under the
direction of the superintendent OF
The Capitol, who has every incentive
to please his only masters, the Sen
ate and House. These great expen.
litures are made by Congress with
out regard to other branches of tn,
government. The President, for ex
ample, has nothing to say for o.
against the expense and could no
stop it if he would. If Congress saw
lit to make the pillars of these pal
aces Of jasper and chalcedony, ther
would be no one to say it nay. Unde
the circumstances it Is perhaps il
order to stand a2hast at the modera
ton Of men who have the Unite,
States Treasury at their disposal.
Old Capital Not Bad.
Until the new buildings are ready
congressman and Senators mus
struggle along under the hardship
Of life under the dome," as tn
Capitol Is sometimes described. O
course, there is no comparison be
tween present conditions and thos
which will prevail when the palace
of legislation have been complete
and stored with their treasures {
Persian rugs, marble baths, statue
frosted globes, fountains, muir;
paintings, mahogany desks, featht
couches, velvet carpets, and so o.
But public men manage to extract
little comfort from their present su
roundlngs, after all, assisted as the
are by an army of fiunkies and
force of workmen who are forev,
altering, repairing and improvil
the ancint Capitol
The Congressman from Podunk,
Smith Crossroads, is a little take
aback when he first experiences Il
pleasure of life under the dome. Th
is because he was not fully "onto Il
ropes" After he is sworn in, he
mighty apt in Tearing all about t
perquisites. He discovers that t
stationery A3om is open and tn
beautiful Christmas gifts may be ps
chased there for a trife. He finds
credit of $125 at this place, ready
be blown in. He is obsequieusly a
dressed by old, diplomatic servito
who take his overcoat and hat a
show him the way to the barber she
There expert BARRIERS greet him cc
daily, shave him, cut his rustic loci
give him an electric shampoo and
massage and hand him over to t
keeper of the baths.
Revel in Marble Baths.
These baths are the Joy of Ct
gresham serving his first term.
frequents them oftener than he e,
dallied with the tub and tea ket
IN the old home kitchen of a Sat,
day night. He finds the same ki
old servants ready to help him.
IS assisted III dlvesting himself
his garments, and his faithful he
er-an old darkey who is carried
the rolls as borer''-wraps h
IN a big, creamy Turkish towel
proceeds along the warm marble fl,
to the gigantic basin called a b
tub. 1t is a solid block of whit
marble, Voiupfiously carved into
bath, and fitted with cleaning sill
faucets, through which gushes fiji
ed hot or cold water. The attend
looks after the water supply, prodr
a fresh cake Of expensive soap
the bather and proceeds to init
him
The man from Podunk never
perienced bath like that before.
closes his eyes and imaeines he
lord of a harem in Stamboul.
drowsy gur9le Of the water, the
pert manipulation nfthe attend
the scent OF altar Of, roses. and
soft delight of fluffy blankets
towels on a dOW,ly couch IuII hin