The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-20

| having actual travelling expenses
wn.ch should be dull certified to TN
| de-. the members signature-buf the
| bill was lost by vote of loo ayes to
| rs nays.
| II the compens ID of S5000.00 was
right in 1866, surely in 1906 it ought
almost to be doubled Rents and ser
vices are now SO expensive at Wash
ington that many a congressman can
not afford to bring his family &c the
National Capital.
congressman from western
state, who had rented a modest house
for his family consisting Of wife and
three children, remarked to friend
on the last day of the session as he
was drawing checks TO meet the bills.
There goes the last penny. I've got
to go home and saw wood. I his is
not an unusual contingency. a con-
gresham from Alabama, who main
tanned just a few days ago that he was
satisfied with his salary in response
to a question, replied that he saved
nothing whatever at Washington, but
he made uD for the loss while at
home Board which cost $1,000 to
$500 per week in the early 70s now
costs from $500 to $4,000. A member
who takes a suite of four rooms in
one of the better class of apartment
per month.
What should be the compensation?
1t should support family of five re-
specially and in 4 manner consistent
with the dignity of the position,
This salary should provide no luxu-
ries no automobiles. not even
horse and cal riage. nc retinue Of SER
wants, no large mansion, no appear
ance of ostentation. 1t should be en-
ough to pay the rent of a comfortable
home, or suite of rooms. to pay the
services of a maid, to meet the bills
from the grocer and butcher, or to
pay the expensive rates for boarding.
to educate the children suitably, in
general to maintain style of living
which while representing the simple
life yet is dignified and respectable.
1t is true that if the salary were re-
duced to one half the present COM
/ ensation, there would be abundant
candidates for the congress. The con-
gress would be full without any COM
pensation for services But there
would be only three cla of mem
bers. The congress would be comros-
ed of the wealthy, the -oeUes who i've
by graft. and a few who would be SIP
ported by charity like paupers. The
members OF the English parliament
receive no salaries, 0uI chere is a
large fund rsJsed every year TO help
the Irish members 10 retain their |
places.
1t is evident that in our country a |
fair representation of the various |
classes which make up our hetroge /
MUGS population must involve some /
compensation.
1t is only just that the men whom /
We appoint as members of the great /
est legislative body in the world i
should receive such a remuneration +
that will reasonably allow them tn re- +
serve a small portion for the contin- +
of the future While nearly /
every congressman will scout the idea /
vet it can be done even at the present /
rate of compensation. There vas
Southern congressman of the last de-
eade who made enough money to pay
of a mortgage On his farm. He ieft
MS family at home 10 work while he
out in Washington almost
ike an Arab He took a cheap room
n 4 cheap part OF the city. ci 1ad and
unched at hobo restaurants, carried
lis three cent sandwiches TO the hall |
If Representatives and munclled his
'1agal reparf in the cloak room But
neither you nor recommend this
sort Of parsimony IL our congress