New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-30
THE STATIONERY SCANDAL.

THE STATIONERY SCANDAL.
THE AMOUNT or STATIONERY FURNISHED NEWS
PAPER CORRESPONDENTS TO BE AsCERrAINED-
$4,000 WORTH USED BY "A SENATOR'S AND Sl6o
WORTH BY So CORRESPONDENTS. 4
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON Jan. 29.--Mr Carpenter, Vice-Pres-
ident pro tem threw bomb-shell into the Senate
this morning by announcing from the chair that he
| desired the advice of that august body on very
grave matter. Stilluess reigned in tho hall Sem
ators who were writing dropped their pens. news
papers were laid aside, and the dlgn-
fed assent lage solemnly waited. Mr. Car
penter then said that the press OF the
country had frequently called attention to the
abuses of the contingent fund of the Senate. The
| Chair was aware of but one, that OF furnishing
stationery to the reporters gallery OF the Senate.
The Chair had this session. signed two or three re-
ouistious for stationery for the reporters gallery,
and another was now in his desk awaiting his sig
nature. He had been unable to find any authority
for so doing and he now laid the matter before the
| Senate for its own action"
| Having delivered his prologue, Mr.. Conkling
came promptly up to time and spoke his part of the
prearranged dialogue in those measured tones that
add SO much impressive dignity, If not weight, to
everything he says. Mr. Hamlin also, though prob
ably no part had been previously assigned to him,
contributed his mite and Mr.. Morrill, of Name and
Mr. Fenton closed the momentous debate Mr.. Nor
rill moved to refer the Chairs request to the Com
mittee on Contingent Expenses, and Mr. Fenton,
while he was opposed to the whole practice of dis
tributing stationery. did not think that the abuses
that had been complained of existed Ill the report
ers gallery.
The apparent object of the whole proceeding was
to give Mr.. Carpenter an opportunity TO submit
funny report that shall demolsh the press The in
. 10 will Ghn
newspaper men to whom seats in the gallery have
been assigned, and including tho editors and re-
porters of the Washington dailies and the CORE
spondents of all the leading newspapers in the
country have been furnished by the Senate since
the present session of Congress began, with just AZ
cents worth of stationery each, about one-ffth OF
the cost of one gold tOoth-pick The total amount
Of stationery thus far issued to the doorkeeper of
the reporters gallery this session has been valued at
Senate prices at S35 As, of which S11 9S worth is
still on hand. The following are the items:
Three and Q half reams commercial motto paper. two
reams cap paper two quarts ink, one quart muclage
thrsa inkstands one mueiage stand and . half
dozen sheets blotting paper. package botng pads
SIX pieces Of rubber spools tape twelve dozen pen
oils six dozen penholders two gross steel pens ono
sross rubber bands $50 letter envelopes, $50 ofcia
envelopes .'
or this there is still hand ono and half reams
all Of the red tape, and onethrd OF all
the other articles. q..t .la.
Correspondents have actually received about one
half sheet of paper day each since the session
began. ono pencil month. four envelopes week,
less than one penholder each In two months. 20
centa worth of rubber bands for Sc men, and one
niece of rubber for each nine men. The reporters
have in this limited way been furnished with sta
tionery for about thirty years. Ii is SIMPLY con-
venience that has never been abused. but one that
the newspaper men will dispense with without
murmur, and probably without bankrupting many
of the journals they represent If the Senate thinks
tho amount used extravagant. or that the principle
ia had one. The fact is that fifty six newspaper
men have Generally had, in tho course OF seven
months session. about $50 worth OF stationery
There has been annually appropriated for stationery
for seyenty.four Senator'S and for the Committees
and officers OF the Senate. $4,000. -.,..
AN IMPORTANT FINANCIAL MEASURE.
THE suL OF Mr.. DAWES AND SENATOR SHERMAN
PROVIDING ADDITIONAL GOLD INTEREST BEARING
BONDS. anna ..... a .a...t-.. H..r
(Br TELEGRAPH TO rHK rRBUSEl
W.suJyGroN, Jan. 29.--The following Is q
eopy OF the important Financial bill which, for about
fortnight has been discussed by the Ways ana Means
Committee from day to day The nil WAS considered
AGAIN this morning but up to the present time