The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1907-03-08
WASHINGTON LETTER.

approaching the storm of disapprobation
which assaled the "billion dollar Con
gress." The people have perhaps come
to an understanding of the enormous in
rease in governmental expense in the
last decade and they accept with surpris-
ing equanimity the announcements of
the huge appropriations. It takes but
g ance to see how the expenses of this
government have gone on increasing at
this astounding rate. The requirement of
our foreign dependencies has been one of
he most prolific sources of our expendi-
ure, and the defense of these colon es
'alls for even more than for their admin
stration. Previous to the Spanish war
our army numbered about 26, ooo Now
we have force of 60, 600, the greater
part of which is employed to protect our
Oriental possessions. The Pearl of the
Antilles has been the costliest jewel in
our diadem and our latest intervention
here has added several millions to our
rational budget, though this will finally
fall on Cnba Then we have engaged to
iig a canal that will connect the great
oceans, and the job has already proved
an expensive one These are all what
,ue might call outside expenses, compar
able in household economies to the lux
,ries. But our home and necessary dis
'ursements have gone on increasing in
bout the same proportion. Our Postal
vstem has been greatly extended and in
act all the departments of the civil ser
ice have been increased as a result OF
he unparalleled growth aud prosperity
If the Nation. 1t is true that we have an
-xtravagant and cumbrous system and
hat many millions could be saved in
every department if the proper admins.
ration of the departments were to be
naugurated, but it is as we'll to look for
he millennium as TO look for thrift in
Government affairs under the present
'ystem. But if there is extravaganza and
waste everywhere at least the house.
leanings of this Administration have
lone away with much dishonesty and
graft, and if this regime can be continued
or decade longer we may expect great
economical changes for the better.
*x*
One of the most serious blows to the
Congressman's pocket came in the sur
render of railroad passes last year, so tina,
here were many serious faces when the
House Committee Oh Appropriations re-
ported this week that in their judgment
light cents mile was sufficient allow
4nce for mileage in place of the ten cents
heretofore received. OF course Congress
men are flush now with fifty per cent
addition to their salaries, but loss of two
ents mile on their journeys to and from
the Capital is not a matter to joke about.
The average railroad rate is about two
'ents a mile and the extra eight cents
hat Congressman have enjoyed has not
only supplied them. with sleeping car
4ccomodations, meals and cigars but has
~ fact been source from which to draw
Tor the savings bank account. One New
England Representative with true Van
xee thrift, by cutting out berths AID
meals on the train, has made it sufficient
to bring his family of four to the Capital
each season. The average Representa-
tive is not above the small economies of
ordinary people, and many are the de-
vices for stretching mileage and clerk
nire and perquisites for keeping the
money all at home. An article appearing
recently in one of the magazines, written
ny Senator Beveridge and treating of the
vast expenses of life i'll " Washington is
provoking much comment and criticism
at the Capital People are saying that
either the Indiana Senator is an 'easv
mark" and has been pitifully done"
since he came to Congress or that he is
exaggerating the true conditions of living
in Washington, According to his find
iugs man can scarcely keep the wolf
from the door with an income under ten
thousand year, and that among his
friends there are many who can only
keep up the illusion Of appearances" by
spending FROM $25. 900 to SIS, 900 each
year 1t is a faVcrite plant with all
Congressional families here that the
Congressional salary cannot be stretched
over decent living at the Capital, but
the old residents know that in spite of
the increased cost in the necessities oflife
that five thousand a year will not only
keep family here as we'll as it will in
any Of the large cities, mt that in the
case of Congressman it will go farther,
since they receive many concessions on
account of their position II does not
ueed the word Of the old resident though