Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-11-19
Odd Things ROgEbf With 1.-THE Ac-
counts from 1859 10 1881.

PURCHASES OF CRACKERS CHEESE. WINE. BRANDY
ALMONDS RAIsINs ..sIRUP." UMBRELLAS. TOI-
LET SETS. SCARF BOXES PURSES PORT MONAIEs,
FISE-TOOTH COMBS. AUTOGRAPH ALBUMS. POCKET
KNIVES. OPERA GLASSES, QUININE PILLS, VAS
ELINE. ETC.
Tie manner in which the appropriations for
contingent expenses of the various departments
of the government are expended has been at
various times a subject. of sharp criticism be-
cause of the misapplicatiOn of funds. Recently
there has been good deal of sarcasm about the
lemonade and hay rum which figured in the
Treasury department investigation; and now
the whole matter of contingent expenses in that
and the other executive departments is to be
gone over by Senate committee. This has led
to the suggestion in certain quarters that the
Senate might find something to investigate in
connection with the expenditures of its own
contingent fund. 1t is conceded that appropria-
lions of money without specifying particularly
for what it is to be used sometimes neces-
sary- Expenses are always being incurred for
unimportant yet necessary, articles. which can
not be accurately estimated for in advance of
the emergency which makes them necessary.
That there should be some looseness in such eX-
penditures is not surprising; but it is hardly Just
to charge, some do that such lOoseness at
tends tine expenditure of every contingent ap-
preparation.
THE FIRST APPROPRIATION FOR CONTINGENT
EXPENSES
was an item in an appropriation act passed in
September, 1889. The accounts of contingent
expenses OF the Senate. commencing as early
as 1889, contain many items which show that
Senators then. as now, had no scrupes against
avaiing themselves of official perqusites. In
the early days of the republic Senators sub
seribed for all the newspapers they wanted and
the money to pay for them was taken out OF the
contingent fund. Stationery was used without
stint. Large quantities of English gilt-edged
paper at 80 and 80 per ream figured in the
bills Penknives in those days were purchased
by the dozen. and TO silver pencil cases. seals,
meinorandums and wafer boxes. there was no
limit. When committee of Congress called
upon the President of the United States their
hack hire was paid from the contingent money.
SENATORIAL WAKES.
For the congressional funeral of those days
hundreds of yards of black Grape and of white
sarcenet were used in making mourning scarfs.
and gloves were supplied. Some preferred
white kid. while Others more practical and with
m eye to the future utility of the funeral hand
covering. took beaver and buckskin gloves.
Senator Francis Mabone. of Rhode Island. died
In 1902 His remains were inferred in the Con-
greSSlOnal cemetery. Among the items OF eX-
penses for his funeral were the following: Is
pounds of crackers. g; IL L pounds of cheese.
$2.S1. The committee to audit and control the
expenses of the Senate evidently thought that
though their brethren seemed to be on pleasure
bent they should have had the accompaniment
OF frugal mind. Therefore they sagely Or
dered that payment be made for the crackers.
but rejected the claim for the cheese. This same
committee also had presented to them the fol-
lowing voucher
rail- ba-f No.