The Dillon tribune., 1882-04-01
(orrexpo'ldrrre.
WASHINGTON LETTER
INFom our rekuIaf Cos5esposioe"eJ
\yAs,ryxf.rnN March 1Sth. lS,

WASHINGTON, March 2sth, 1852.
Some uns,emlv bits of scandal have
been going round and are still coming
out concerniny the expense OF President
Garfield's sickness and the funeral obsc-
uuies. Many Of the statements made are
doubtless more or less exaggerated, but
there j. truth enough to make some people
ashamed OF themselves. This is particu-
larly the case relative to the expense Of
the funeral train from Washington to
Cleveland. Besides an item of $l,,oo for
white gloves there is one OF $l.7uo tor
champagne, brandy and cigars and one OF
$500 for cocktails" while the whole cost
OF the Congressional party OF mourners
tt,ots modest little bill Of $1,000. 1t has
been denied that the items referred to
were in the bills rendered, but from the
best information that can be obtained the
statement appears to be true Congress
III IN Page, of C.ltornil, VIII, was dclegat.
Cd by the Committee OF the House 10 ano't
the accounts, saws that after examining the
bills he collected them all into one lump
and DESTROYED the originals. lie consiered
that was the best thing to do, as he did
not think it was proper to have scandal
over such "a matter. Opinions may differ
as to Mr.. Pages right to take this course
hut opinions will concur that it was the
worst possihle course to take to prevent
scandal, It is remembered here that the
press was VERY carefully excluded from
the funeral train. Even the reporters tor
the Associated Press were refused leave To
accompany the Congressional mourners,
which is al, unusual thing.
Both houses of Congress have oeen
squirting all winter at the restoration ol
the franking privilege but, like all previous
Congresses since the privilege wa: ;: aoo''s;'.
ed, they lacked the courage to 90 IL ole.'s
and directly. At last, however, way mas
been found to practically accomplish INA!
end by indirection. An amendmsnt
tackled on to the Post Office appropriation
Hill nrovides for "otficial envelopes" like
those used hv the various departments I"
be kent on hand for the use OF the Secfcta-
nv Of the Senate and Clerk Of the House, as
we'll as members Of either body. ms
does not contemplate sending private
correspondence free but is intcndcd 70
cover all matter pertaining to pubic ons',
ness, Many objections have been raiseo
to this plan. chiefly by those who oes're'
to have the old franking privilege abso.
lutelv restored. but it has finally nee"
agreed to in the Senate as the best atun"'
able method. and will doubtless pass tne
House, There ought to be no oo)ectiom u
the free massage of matter actually re'at'n9
to public bu6ncss, but It was the WIZ .,'e,
sale abuse OF the franking pfi'"esc .'. ."
made it intoerable. Whether the IN new ~
plan will escape these abuses remains uns.e .'
BE- seen. The tendency OF Congress
especially the Senate to vote Its memoss, ;e.aoss,
privileges or donations OF money, increase
constantly and was illustrated recen.tl NJ
by the passage of a resol,S Son s'v'.S H.
Kellogg, of louisiana, 5000, anu or M er
Butler, OF South Carolina, $500, r' ;,
penses incurred In making their r'smSS sS..n
the seats they hold. There IS no p. "sner
for this action. Contestants n .',, s;ttin,
ally been paid their expenses '"' '