Omaha daily bee., 1911-02-20
Washington Life
Some interesting Phases
ana Conditions Observed
- the nations Capital


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What's this? Cut down the first square
meal served up In fourteen years? Not on
your lifel We demand every crumb on the
, bill Of fare!" The words smote the ear
lhrums Of democratic congressman In caucus
/ assembled a few weeks ago. Some dis
tlnguished democrat, one Of the newly
elects, suggested applying the pruning knife
to the sinecures on the payroll Of the house
Of representatives 10 the end that demo-
cratic promises might Ibe with perform
anee Instantly the indiscreet patriot was
smothered by storm OF protest. No won
der. The layout at the house end OF the
national capitol has not the proportions Of
a barbecue on Baltimore banquet. but II
Is mighty fine luncheon just the same.
Especially appetzing after a painfully long
debilltating fast. The hungry are eager
for the feast and enthusiastically cheer the
/ New York Worlds screams for an extra
session An extra session means immediate
relief for expectant pie-eaters. Otherwise
the democrats will not take charge until
December. leaving republicans masters OF
the "chuck wagon for nine more long
weary months Truly, the mind Of man is
taxed TO picture a situation more harrow
ing to the souls Of famished democrats.
The patronage in sight for the democrats
| on taking charge OF the house. as COM
| puted by the Brooklyn Eagle correspondent
amounts 10 over a million a year, as the
| salaries Of secretaries of members may be
added to the regular payroll OF S744,3s5. Ex-
elusive OF the secretaries there are 57s EN-
ployes OF the house. This patronage lie dis
tributed by the speaker, the sergeant-st-
arms, the clerk, the doorkeeper, the post
/ mas oVa B,t 80
| committees. Champ Clark, who will sue
coed Speaker Cannon, will have the APP
pointment Of eighteen employees, whose sal
aries aggregate s66,s4O
! The clerk OF the house-and Il is practi-
cally settled that former Congressman
South Trlmble Of Kentucky, will land that
iob-will have seventy-flve appointees. who
will draw a total OF $4,000 in salaries each
year.
The patronage OF the sergeant-at-arms
amounts to SS4665 annually, divided among
sixty-four employees. Former Congressman
Ryan of Buffalo. is generally picked as the
winner Of this prize. although Stokes Jack
son. chairman Of the Indiana democratic
state committee, is making a hard fight
for the place
Joe Sinnott Of Virginia, who will be the
doorkeeper of the next house. will have
the appointment Of 211 employees, not in
Guiding special minority messengers and
l messengers on the soldiers roll. Their sal
aries will aggregate S2O3, $685. annually.
The postmaster of the house will have
| thirty employees under him, with annual
salaries amounting to S2S.72O, while the
slice OF patronage that will go to the SUI
perintendent of the capitol building and
grounds will amount to S46,6iO divided
among forty-one employees.
There are thirty-nine committee clerks
twenty-three assistant clerks. twenty-three
session clerks, three official committee
messengers to committees Their salaries
will amount to $17S,275.
Besides his secretary, whose salary Is
1900, the speaker has the appointment Of
a parilamentarian at $780, a messenger at
81. 40 six official reporters OF the proceed
ings Of the house at 5000 each, an assist
ant reporter at $500, an assistant stenog-
rapher to committees at 5000 and several
Jobs Of minor Importance.
The clerk OF the house has the appoint
ment OF a chief clerk at $500 a journal
clerk at $4,000. two reading clerks at $1,000
each and a number of other employees
whose salaries range from 5000 to $1,000
The sergeant at-arms names assistant
at 81 500, cashier at $S.4OO. a financial clerk
at $40 The clerk and the sergeant at
arms both draw salaries OF $500 them
selves. The doorkeepers salary is 5000
and the best job under him is that of assist
ant at $3.50. The postmaster draws $1,000 a
year
The chairmen Of the more important COM
mittees Of the house will have the distribu-
ton Of from 5000 TO $500 in annual
patronage.
I There are places galore created for the
benefit OF members who are importuned
for patronage. The employees Of the house
and the senate have the sinecures of the
government service. Being political and
having the backing Of the men who make
the laws. no questions are asked of the
men who hold their places There are
scores OF names on the rolls for such posi-
lions as folders in the document room who
never go\ near the capitol except to sign
their vouchers. This is a matter of general
information. II is the most obvious rem
nant of the old spoils system to be found
in government service today. These are the
people who are TO be changed for others of
their kind in the immediate future.
\ 1t has been long time since the senate
has seen such complete case OF the rattles
as was presented by the baby senator. Clar-
ence W. Watson OF West Virginia, on Sat
urday a week ago. He made his maiden
speech Mr.. Watson will never crowd Mr..
|, Bailey. Mr. Beverage Mr.. Cummins and
the others in the race for oratOrioal hOnors.
He had only about 400 words TO say. and
thaea had heen nrudentIv tvDed Vet On
rising at his seat It was plaza that the new
conner was overwhelmed with a sense OF
the importance the dignity and impressive
ness OF the United States senate He lost
his voice. and chung to his desk for support
He swallowed at the rate OF fifteen to the
: minute and his words carried not farther
than thirty feet It was plain TO everyone
that the young man was going through a