g were considerably
advanced.

In 1864 I offered the proprietor of Willard's Hotel my monthly pay
of $250 for board and lodgings, in very modest quarters, for my
wife and myself, but he demanded $300 a month. This led me to
purchase a house in which to live, a change which I have never
regretted. It was quite the fashion then for the old families,
who were in full sympathy with the Confederates, to underrate
property (even their own) in Washington, on the ground that when
the Confederacy was acknowledged the capital would be removed, and
real estate could, therefore, be obtained upon very reasonable
terms.

After the war the feverish revival of business growing out of our
expanded currency led to such reckless extravagance in improvements
by public officials in Washington that for a time it threatened
the bankruptcy of the city, but, as this leads me in advance of
events, I will recur hereafter to the Washington of to-day.

During 1870 Congress passed a law increasing the compensation of
Senators and Members from $3,000 to $5,000 a year, and justified
this increase by the inflated prices of everything measured by a
depreciated currency. There would have been but little complaint
of this by the people had not the law been made retroactive. It
was made to take effect at the beginning of that Congress, though
when the law was passed Congress was nearly ended. This "back
pay," amounting to over $3,000, was very unpopular, and led to the
defeat of many Members who voted for it. At home they were called
"salary grabbers." Several Senators and Members, I among the
number, declined to receive the back pay. But it was said that
the Congressmen could apply for it at any time in the future when
the excitement died away. This led me to write Francis E. Spinner,
Treasurer of the United States, to ascertain how I could cover into
the treasury my back pay. His answer was characteristic, and is
here inserted. Spinner, long since dead, was a peculiar character.
He was with me in the House of Representatives, was appointed
Treasurer of the United States by President Lincoln, and continued
as such until 1875. He was a typical officer, bold, firm and
honest. He was also a true friend, a model of fidelity and courage.

"Treasury of the United States,}
"Washington, July 3, 1873. }
"My Dear Sir:--Your letter of the 28th ultimo has been received.

"I sympathize with you most fully. I too have had my share of lies