Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-17

The question is being asked, Was it ne
cessary for committee of Congressman,
with an assistant sergeant-at-Arms who
was authorized to spend money without
limit for champagne, cigars, gloves,
sashes, hotel bills, carriage hire, ETC., to
accom- pany the remains of Senator Miller
to san Francisco! There is, of course, no
reason except that it has become Gus
tomary for committee Of Congressman
to take junketing trip whenever a men,
Der of either house dies.
1t is said that the special car engaged
for the committee will cost 10000, and
the other expenses which the government
will have to bear will doubtless amount
to several thousand dollars more. The
various items Of expense Of Congressional
funerals have frequently been published
with the view Of creating public senti-
ment against such funerals, but it seems
that there is yet no disposition on the
part OF Congress to abandon its extraya-
gance in this respect.
OF course, there is no reason why Con-
gress should not pay all proper respect to
the memory of any of It's members, but
there is certainly good reason for object
ing to the extraordinary expenses which
are incurred in attending the funerals Of
Congressman. II the Congressman APP
pointed 10 attend the funerals of members
were so disposed they could get along with
about one-fourth the expense that they
now incur. They are not, however, dis
posed to deny themselves anything. They
are not satisfied TO spend only the amount
OF money which they would spend in
travelling at their own expense. Know
ing that the government is to foot the bills
they indulge in all sorts of extravagances,
and the undertakers and tradesmen, fol-
lowing their example, charge double
price tor everything they furnish and for
their services.
There is certainly room for reform in
the matter of Congressional funerals. and
the member Of Congress who starts a
movement in that direction Will earn the
thanks of the entire country. II there
were indications Of the solemnity of the
services which congressman are supposed
to render in attending the remains of
deceased member to his last resting
place, there would be greater willingness
to submit to a reasonable expense for
such services, but when what is meant
for mark of respect is turned into a
pleasure excursion, and the Treasury is
drawn upon for the finest wines and
cigars, and for the most expensive enter
tainment that can be secured, the people
begin to wonder whether it is not about
time to call a halt in this sort of iunket-
ing.
Nothing more could have been done by
Congress to show respect to the memory of
Senator Miller, than was done at Wash
ington. Services were held in the Senate
chamber and members of both houses and
the leading officers of the government
were present. When the services were over
If the body OF the dead Senator had been
delivered to his family, or sent in charge
Of an officer Of the Senate TO San Fran
cisco, the country and the Senator's
friends would have been satisfied.
On Monday Gov. Hahn, member of
the House, died, and committee was
sent to New Orleans with his body. The
expenses which that committee VIII incur
will be large. Indeed, it would not be
surprising If the funerals of Senator Mil
Ter and Representative Hahn cost the
government an amount equal to a small
fortune.
The cost of the funerals will not be the
only tax upon the country in connection
with the death of these two congressman.
The Senate and the H 0use will each set
apart day for the delivery Of eulogies.
If the value of the time of Congress given
to funerals and eulogies IS taken INTO con-
sideration, the cost 20 the country of Con-
gressiOnal funerals in the course of year
is pretty large. Let there be reform in
this matter, and let the reform be inau-
gurated as soon as possible.