The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1910-12-01
EXPECT RICH
MELON SLICES
INDIANA DEMOCRATS HAVE
PRIOR CLAIM OVER OTHERS
FOR CONGRESSIONAL JOBS
Many Office Holders Nervous Lest
Special Session Shall
Be Called.

Washington, Nov. 26.-Hungry In
diana Democratic politicians should
cheer up. The patronage of the state
Legislature and state offices is not
the only melon that is to be cut.
Another patronage melon will be
sliced when the national House of
Representatives organizes for the
Sixty-second Congress. In size and
luscious characteristics this latter
melon will make all Indiana legisla-
i've patronage look like 80 cents.
Indiana will be entitled to a very
LIBERAL cut out of the Federal melon.
here are two reasons why Indiana
as a prior claim over a majority of
other states. In the first place, ii
5 admitted that the splendid showing
indiana made from the Democratic
iewpoint in the recent election,
when twelve out of the thirteen con-
r~essional districts were carried by
Democrats, sufficiently entities the
ioosier delegation to insist upon the
rcst liberal recognition. In the Sc
end place if Champ Clark, a South
rner gets the ~speakership and South
'rnble also a Southerner gets the
lcI,-ship the North will have a right
o I'D out its pate for a major por-
ION of the other plums and Indiana
eing a pivotal Northern state may
reasonably expect its plate to be fill
d heaping high.
Three Lead Pie Line
The pie counter of the House of
Representatives at Washington has a
'ery attractive and Turing appear
ince for many of the faithful. whose
mouths r watering In anticipation,
nut the general admission of the ad-
nee guard of representatives is that
;tates like Indiana, West Virginia
md Ohio, which made the best show
ng at the election will be entitled to
1T in at the first call for pie. There
ias been no casting up, of course to
determine how many places each of
he twelve Indiana Democratic rep
-esentatives elect will be allowed.
There never is any hard and fast rule
rs TO patronage allotments in the
House and each member proceeds
IN the theory that he is entitled to
I'll he can get.
Altogether the capture of the
House by the Democrats gave them
about hour hurried positions of which
indiana will secure its proportion
with an extra share for the reasons
Just stated These places carry salar-
es ranging from $1,000 a year down
TO $3.50. Counting $500 as the
early average the total amount paid
out in salaries to House employees is
not far from 5000, 900 annually. :.
Contrary to general opinion the
chaplain of the House is one of the
poorest paid employees his salary be-
ng 81 900 a year. He is also one of
he most regular in attendance. I'm
memorial custom requires each ses-
sion to be opened with prayer and
thee haplin is very p~unctual at the
morning hour. -
Following are some of the other
positions that come under the de-
signation Of "House spoils':
Secretary to the speaker, $3.50;
parliamentary clerk, $4,000; journal
clerk, $4,000; two reading clerks,
$1,000 each; tally clerk $4,000: print
,ng and bill clerk, $500; disburs-
ing clerk, $500, file clerk, $3.50;
nrolling clerk, $500: assistant dis
,ursing clerk, $1,000; assistant chief
clerk, 5000; librarian, $1,000 dis
mrsing clerk, $500; assistant post
naster $500; doorkeeper, $500.
This does not include an army Of
ssistant doorkeepers clerks, elevator
nen, janitors, etc. who get good wag-
$ for short hours.
The typical position connected
With the National House of Repres-
natives might appropriately the de-
cribed as a "'lazy mans job"
When Congress is not III session
here is nothing for the average
mploye TO do.
There is uncertainty as to when
he; Democratic hosts will take pos
ession of this pie. counter. Under
rdinary circumstances the House
would not organize for the Sixty
econd Congress until December 1911
md until the House organizes the
Republican incumbents will continue
O hold the places and draw the sal
lries. On the other hand if President
raft should call Congress in extra
session. next spring the House will Or
yanize Immediately after the call of
The Republican incumbents will be
urned out of office and their places
filed with Democrats.
1t is known that a good many of
the persons holding positions in the
House organization are nervous lest
a special session shall be called.
New Suits Filed. !