The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1869-03-25
GOVERNMENT GROCERIES.

1ney UldndSc IllllS HCaliy "o W
ington. Suppose that the purchaser OF
supplies in one of the Departments
wants -four, sugar, and such things, for
his private pantry, he does not neces-
sarily buy and pay for them as common
people do. No. He gives an order
lsay) for two dozen hair brushes, s24 ;
and do. do. combs, $l2-total, $50
These are supposed to be for sticking
NO the heads of Secretaries, Commits
sioners, Chiefs of Bureaus, &c, 50 that
after their arduous labors of the day,
they may go forth into Pennsylvania
Avenue with their ambrosial locks Cor
wigs) arranged in the most rakish and
captivating style. Oddly enough, the
order goes to a grocer, who, not deal
ing largely in hair brushes and combs
(perhaps being actually short OF those
articles), thinks it would be just as sat
isfactory to all concerned if he sent to
the Department one-half dozen brushes,
Sc; and do. do. combs, S3-total, 50;
and ordered his porter to take to the
private residence of the Government
purchaser the following nutritious sub
stances: One barrel of flour, $40; cot
fee, sugar, &c, $l7-total, S2T. Any
person skilled in addition will perceive
that these items figure up $50, the same
as two dozen brushes and combs would
have done. The Government purchaser,
having ordered in writing brushes and
combs as aforesaid, finds it much east
er and pleasanter to certify that the
two dozen of each had been received
than to have the -four, sugar, &c, Ia
ken back to the grocer's and make cor
rectionS on the books, ard incur no end
of bother. This plan of laying in gro
ceries is capable of indefinite applica-
ton. Bureaus, sideboards, sofas, car
pets, wardrobes, drop lights and gas
fixtures, may all gradually swell the
personal effects Of these buyers, and be
paid for as brushes, combs, and what
not. For such men to retire at the end
Of three or four years service with
$4,000 or $4,000 would not be at all
remarkable 1t is only a question OF
buying enough brushes and combs.
Another curious problem worked out
very prettily at Washington is how to
get horses and carriages at Govern
ment expense. Various solutions are
offered; but the best is that invented
by the Commissioner Of an important
Bureau. His Department has an Off
cial horse and carriage. These he puts
in his own stable, where they cost tc
take care of (say) SO a week. This
money Is paid out of Department funds
When carriage is really wanted at
his office, hack is hired, and that goes
into " contingent expenses. " Neat
isn't it? Well worth patenting.
A BILL OF DELIGHTFUL ITEMs-The fol
lowing list Of charges is copied from
the old records Of Darmstadt, Of tho
prices formerly paid the public execu
toner under that Government:
For seething a malefactor in boiling
water, "a forms; for quartering hin
while alive, Is forms and 80 kreutzers
for putting person to death by the
sword, 10 forms; for breaking the body
then upon the wheel, 5 forms; for the
rack, or gehenna, 5 forms; for putting
on the pillory, l form and so hellers
for whipping one with rods, 2 horins
and 80 hellers; for branding with hot
iron the shape of a gallows on cheek
forehead or back, 5 forms; for cutting
the tongue out, Or ears and nose off
5 forms.
A PIoUs MUss.-The Ritualists and
anti-Ritualists are at it in England, ham
mer and tongs. Mr.. Maconochie hav
ing published letter arraigning the
decision of the Privy Council in ST. AL
bans case, the Dean Of Carlisle pro
nounces the letter criminal docu-
ment," ."couched in language of intol
cradle arrogance and indecency," anc
asks if there is no remedy against such
a libel upon her Majesty, the Archb Dish
ops of the church, and the Chief Judges
of the land. He also stigmatizes his
reverend brother as a convicted OF
fender" and "seditious slanderer."