Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-23
MANY CHRISTMAS GIFTS.
Queer Scenes in the stationery Rooms
fin the Capitol at Washington.
From NE PhiIadelDhta Times.

From the PhftGdekDhtd Times.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 20.-The stationery
room in the House wing of the United
States Capitol had It's "opening'' OF Christ
mas goods few days ago, and looks very
gay indeed. 1t is there the members of
the House and the ladies of their families
get most of the Christmas gifts they give
10 their friends, for each member of that
House is allowed by law 1925 per annum
for stationery, which he can take in
money or get its worth in the numerous
articles that come under the bead of
STATIONERY" on which term a most lib
eral construction is placed.
There can now be seen in that room
dressing OXes for ladies and gentlemen,
shaving cases for the latter and manicure
boxes, all of the finest varieties, the boxes
being in cOlOred plush covers; toilet mir
rOrs, fancy stands Of perfumery in cut
glass bottles, ivOry-handled and other
brushes and combs IA boxes and separ-
ateiy, opera glasses and plush bags to
carry them in. fans, music covers, clocks,
candles for sealing wax and candlesiicks
for them, autograph and photograph al
buns, scrap books, card cases, pocket
books for ladies and gentlemen, as well
as portfolios, knives, pencils, pens, ink,
boxes of fancy paper, cards, ETC., and all
/ that comes under the head of stationery
/ ordinarily. All OF these goods ale supe-
riOr in quality and made after the newest
/ STYLES. Many ladies' have been visiting
/ that room daily during the past week to
/ get their Christmas supplies.
The law making the allowance OF St25
to each member for stationery for each
session or Congress was passed at the
time the ranking privilege was abolished,
and it 10 said many members purchase
more than double that amount in postage
stamps for their necessary correspond
ence. On the other hand. some OF them
draw more stationery OF the nature above
| indicated than can be paid for out of the
specified sum, in which case the excess is
charged against them and deducted from
their salaries.
Some OF them rarely have ANYTHING for
themselves from the stat emery room ex-
cept the least costly and most absolutely
necessary writing materials and let Their
wives or daughters get what they choose
there for themselves and friends. One
distinguished member, who bias served
eight years. has from the first told bi.
wife tnat the stationery fund was her per.
quisite, and she has drawn Literally upon
II, but mas given away most of the articles
in rCsents to friends. One generous and
cOntding Congressman told constituent
to 20 10 the stationery room aud get some
thing for himself as a souvenir, and later
found that the man had helped himself "a
$40 worth or goods Some others com.
mute for their stationery and draw all Of
1t in money. 1t was charged that a Ger
tain Western Senator who lived IN the
most miserly way during his term, paid
for his board wholly with his stationery
allowance drawn in money.
The Senate also has It's stationery room
but as the House has so many more mem
oers the supplies of stationery can be or
dered for 1t in greater variety, and the
Senate's stationery room, in which Christ
mas gifts can be obtained by Senators and
their families, looks very contracted in
deed as compared 10 that Of the House.