The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1890-05-01
Do OUR SENATORS STEAL?
PsFqulsltss 10 StatlonsFy--HuE Some
Swell Their Salary.
The way They Keep . supply sf Jack
Knives and setter PapeE-NameO Of
Them Defraud Uncle sam.

WHICH enuehNoreu 10 snow tnht tne bend-
tors Of the United States are in the habit
Of petty thieving by way Of drawing upon
the funds Of the government for exorbi-
tant quantities Of stationery, has been
copied into certain sheets In this country.
Naturally enough, this has led to the Crea-
ton Of an erroneous impression. The facts
are that the United States senators and
representatives have u perfect right to get
all the porket knives and porket books,
Us well as all other aTtiles Of stationery
that they wish, providing they do not
exceed the limit Of tl25 year.
The pay Of all members or congress In
both houses Is $500 per annuu, and to
this is added the sum Of sl25 per annum
for stationery. This allowance for sta
tioneTy was made uniform some years ago
when the franking privilege was abolished.
This PRIVILEGE was abused to a scandalous
extent, insomuch that honorable mem.
hers literally obeyed that proverb which
directs mankind to wash their dirty linen
OF home. To this end they would send
their solled underwear through Uncle
Sans mails, thereby availing themselves
Of their mail franks In manner that was
hardly contemplated when the privilege
was first granted. At one time, too, an
unlimited amount Of stationery was sup
Piled on demand OF member. While .
careful man would use but SS or "A worth
OF goods a reckless, not to say d'ri.onest
member, would draw iSJO or t4JO worth.
AT each end ot the capitol Is station
cry room, and in each large supply of
paper envelopes, Pens' ink, ,pocket knives,
mucilage, eTasers and such minor articles,
and occasionally the chief clerk Of the
stationery room will lay In stock OF the
usually fancy adtuncts to the stationery
business. These are bought and paid Tor
with government money, 1t is true but
not one single article leaves the room un'
less It is charged up to some member Of
the house or senate.
A member who desires to present some
admirinG constituent token Of regard,
takes him down stairs and orders for him
q gold pen, a knife, or some otl.er useful
little article as a keepsake. Perhaps
about Christmas time he wants to make
himself solid with sOme influential family
who may be visiting in Washington and
the ladies are escorted down stairs into
the stationery room and given carte
blanche to select any artirle which may
take their fancy that Is there displayed.
Whatever Is seIerted Is charged up to the
account IL the member, and Il may be
that at the end Of the year lie finds TO his
credit ~, $75, or even SIO0 Of the allow.
ance made to him. In that event he will
ask for a statement Of account and, when
tile stationery clerk furnishes Il to hiln
he can carry il to the disburing officer Of
the house, who will pay him in cash any
thing which may be due him. On the
other hand, Il he has overllrawn this ac-
count, the amount Of his overdrawul be-
comes first lien on his pay and will Le
charged up against him In the office Of
the sergeant-at-arns, Who Is, under the
decision Of the court Of claims, just rem.
dered in the case Of Crane against the
United States, an officer also Of the treas
ury, as well US the house, for the dis