Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1868-07-31
bers Of Congress. Misappre-
tensions Explained
AUGUsrA. MAINE. June 9ti 1888.

AUGUSTA. MAINE. June 9th, 1868.
Hon. EDWARD McPHERSoN,
CLERK Of National House Of Representa-
tives;
Dear sir;-Thcre is a misunderstanding
in the public mind in respect to what are
t"fincd the contingent cypenscs NJ Scna-
tnTs anl representatives. IN Congress. for
stationery, newspapers. and other incident-
abs in excess Of their annual salaries.
Will YOU state what is the precise provis.
ion of law on the subject and how long il
has been in force Is it the same in it,
application to Senators and Representa-
tiees Your answer to these vii afford
oenclasive aud satisfactory information on
the subject.
Respectfully yours.
JoHN l.. STEVENS,
Clerks Office House of Representa-
tites U 8.
WASHINGTON. d. c., June Is, 1868
Dear Sir I'll have received your letter
Of the 9th inst. in waish you alludc to the
misunderstanding in the public mind in
respect to what are termed the "cOutingent
expcuses' Of Senators and representatives
in Congress, for stationery, newspapers
aud other imcidentals in cxcees OF their an
nual salaries, and inquire what is the pre-
else provision Of law on this subject, how
hong It has been in force. whether it is the
same for Senators and Representatives. aud
and whether it is enforced.
In reply, have the honor to state that
by law. tke allowance for stationery and
newspapers " limited to 1852. for each SEES
sion Of Congress. that this law applies
equally to Senators and Representatives.
tllst no other incidentais are provided for,
and that no additional sum can be drawn.
In the House, the newspapers are order
ell for members through the clerk of the
House who settles the bills and pays the
balance. if any to the members or the
members ordcr:the newspapers themselves
aud settle the bills therefor, drawing the
allowance from the clerk in money. BY a
law which was passed in 1912, it is made
the duty Of the clerk Of the Houss to pu-
chase. the stationery tor the use OF the
House, by contract with the lowest bidder,
after four weeks. public notice. which is
done annually, The distribntion Of the
si...i .Irry is and. l.irJI, h III, Past Al e
ter Of the House, who is required by the
r.ies to keep a"true and accurate account Of
all stationery which he may 50 deliver to
the several memhers;" and it any member
overdraw his allowance article he
ing furuishe1 to him at the cost price in the
stationery rsem-the Post Muster is re-
quired TO furnish an account Of such excess
to the Sergeant alarms who 10 required to
deduct said amount from the pay aud mile
age Of members aud refund the same into
the Treasury. II the allowance he not
exhaustt in kind, the balance is paid in
money by the clerk out of the approPria.
ton annually made for that purpose, Or,
if the member prefers to buy his stationery
elsewhere. he can draw the entire allow
ance therefor from the clerk,-in money.
The law is rigidIy enforced, and applies
equally to the two Houses. In the House,
the existing system. as now defined and
limited by law, has practically existed,
under the rules, for many years.
am Sir.
Very Respectfully.
EDWARD MCPHERs IN,
Clerk House Representatives, U. s.
Hon JOHN L. STEVENS. Augusta. Maine.