The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-12

Mr.. Ierritt's Bill Still Unpaid-HOw He Has
Been Embarrassed.

MT. Merrltts Bill still UnpaIO-HOW He Has
Been Embarrassed.
New York Tribune.
Undertaken Stephen Merritt is in peck of
trouble Yet he bears himself as of DID, like
philosopher He has vainly been knocking at
the portals of the government to get his bill of
$14, 1913. rs for the funeral expenses of General
Grant paid He has invoked the aid of Congress
man Me-rirnan, and his son, William Merritt.
went to Washington on Tuesday and is now
there hunting with the congressman for the
pigeon hole which may contain the unpaid bill.
Mr.. Merritt sat in his Office yesterday.
thoughtful, vet hopeful mar. He leaned back
comfortably in his chair, twirled his thumbs
looked up with reverent air and said "Yes, it
is now going on six months since General Grant
died, and the government has not paid my BILL
have tried every means in my power to get the
money, but have failed / don't know posi-
lively what is the matter, but think the bill
has got into pigeon hole. There is nothing the
matter with the bill ITSELF it is perfectly reason
able. / was urged by some to make it $40, 600;
they told me might just as well make it that
quickly as a small bill. But" and Mr.
Merritt grew thoughtful, 81 don't
believe in that sort of thing. put IN my honest,
legitimate expenditures, and the generals went
over all the items. That's right they said to
each one, and they thought my bill perfectly
reasonable. They are ali chagrined that the bill
has not yet.been paid. sent 1t to General Han
cock and he forwarded it to the War Depart
ment; it was audited and that's the last heard
of it. have writsen to the department., and
have been told that the bill was progressing
going through red tape, suppose. l wrote last
three weeks ago, but / have had no answer to
the letter. don't know what to make of it, and
so my son William has gone on to Washington
TO hunt up the pigeon hole l spoke to Congress
man Merriman about it last week. and he said
he would look into the matter. He is new
member" said Mr.. Merritt, obviously, land he
may not know where all the pigeon holes are"
Mr.. Merritt paused, as a look of benevolent
commiseration overspread his face. lie APP
peared to be looking next into depths of double
dyed viany, for he went on: 81 have been
told tina if would put up something that bill
would fly right out of that pigeon-hole and the
money would be in my hands in week; butn
II won't put up one.cent--no, sir; not il / lose
every dollar of that bill! That's an honest bill
and reasonable one, and | shant pay any
body a cent to hurry up the red tape But
the bills which | incurred for the funeral
have kept coming in. l told by
the generals that the money would be
paid right after tho funeral so, when the bills
came in. gave my notes. These notes have
been coming due. The other day one for So 500
for carriages came due. paid it like little
man. So another for $3.50. 1 don't believe
there's another undertaken in the city who could
have gone on and run up the billsI aid on credit.
I've been paying them right along / have had
to draw on my capital. But when / get that
$14. l63 70 | shall have so much clean money in
my pocket-all my bills paid. / am expecting
the money every day now" he concluded hope
fully. II am looking for that check by every
mail. Although I've been called queer names
because didn't make the bill larger, would do
just the same thing again"