Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-09-06
Too Expensive.

Too Expensive.
At least half dozen representatives,
n congress, capable men. certain Of re-
nomination and reelection. have vol
UNFAIRLY retired to private life, and
they almost invariably give the same
reason, that the great expense of living
in Washington eats up their salaries
and prevents their saving anything for
their families aud for old age. Before
congress adjourned Mr. Sullivan of
Boston, brilliant and growing mem
Der, notified his constituents that he
could serve them no longer and pri-
yately to his friends gave the reason
as stated above. Mr. Shortell of the
Fifteenth Missouri district did the
same Now comes Mr.. McNary also
of Boston. and announces that be will
be congressional candidate no more.
Shortell is a new member and was gen
orally appraised by his fellow repre-
sentatives as being fit to render a good
account of himself McNary was adj
mitted on all sides to be strong and
rising man. In announcing his retire
ment he says:
Further service at Washington. in view
of its great expense, could only be given
at a sacrifice of the future welfare Of my
family and TO the injury of my personal
business interest here.
It is a pity that such men should be
forced out of public life. Consequently
it is pity that a great and fashionable
city ever grew up around the federal
capitol 1t is all right to boast about
the beauty and magnifcence of Wash
ington and to assert that it is the finest
capital in the world-whieh it is; but it
makes living there exceedingly expen-
sive and thereby works hardship on
public officials. The salary of a sena-
tor or representative is $1,000 per an
mum, which looks large and would be
ample TO enable one to live well in a
small place. far from the madding
crowd. and to save something, but the
average public official cannot live as
well and comfortably in Washington
on 5000 as he could on $500 at home.
Once liz awhile some malicious person
writes an article and gets it published
as to- how much representative or
senator receives. By adding to the
SIS 900 salary. the mileage, the station
cry allowance, garden seeds. docu-
ments. etc, be manages to run it up to
over $4,000 He thus counts these
things as increasing the salary when.
as matter Of fact, the seed and docu-
ments bring him out in debt. Year by
year. after sending to my constituents
all the seeds, books and documents to
which / am entitled. / spent from $fO0
to $500 in cash purchasing others to
send where they are asked for beyond
nv quota. It's easier to purchase and
send than to try to explain why
| don't send them At one session paid
out over 500 in cash for agricultural
reports alone to exc out my quota, and
] do not believe my case is exceptional
| The fellows who try to make It ap
pear that books documents and seeds
are a source of profit to Representatives
and senators In general are too igno
rant to write for the press or are ma
| Iicious liars. OF course once in a long
while some freak breaks into congress
who, instead of sending these things (
his constituents, sells them, but be |:
the exception to the rule. Because ons
western congressman sold bis quota O
garden seeds. ] Sterling Morton onc'
slandered all congressman and sena
tors by holding up that sinner as
sample, but ]. Sterling is dead and th'
SANDER ought to die with him.