Montgomery County sentinel., 1891-04-03
PLEASURE AT THE EXPENSE OF
THE TAXPA YERS

The time is at hand when committees of
will prepare to start on their Summer tours
of inspection and investigation, for which
provision was made in the Senate before the
Fifty-first Congress adjourned. The tours,
although they are conducted at the cost of
the taxpayers and cost many tens of thou
sands Of dollars, are not of any practical
value, and their main, if not sole purpose, is
that the Senators composing them shall see
the country under pleasant conditions and
have generally good time.
The Senators from the North and East
who generally succeed in getting up these
junketing committees, and the two Massa-
chusetts men, Hoar and Dawes, are special
adopts at it. II seems that these two gen.
tlemen have not failed any one Summer to
put their time on some roaming committee
or other these many years.
Senator Dawes committee is on Indian
affairs. That committee, we see, as is usual,
is making preparations already to camp out
on the praires seeking information regard
ing the noble red men, and it is to be accom-
panied by the families and female relatives
of its members engaged in the same patriotic
occupation. Senator Dawes, the chairman
Of it, has, ii is said, during his long career
IA Congress camped out at the country'sex-
pense on almost every foot of ground west
of the Mississippi river. The scene OF this
committees arduous labors this Summer
will be North Dakota, South Dakota and
Montana and other neighboring States.
The expense of the trip to be charged to
the contingent fund"
There will be the usual Senatorial trip TO
Alaska, which is always long, cool and pleas
ant. Senator Allison went last year and
had delightful time, but this year it is the
Committee on Territories, with Senator
Patt, that old nutmeg from Connecticut,
at Its head, that is going to have treat
in the cool seclusi0n of our latest acquisi-
ton. Mr.. Platt and his fellows will in
quire into the resources of Alaska, the need
of more efficient government, or to the
character of the legislation necessary for the
development of the district and the protec-
lion ofits people, There will be i've mem
bers on this committee who will remain
away all the Summer and the expense to
ne charged TO the contingent fund" of the
Senate. 49,
One junkcting committee started ten days
ago and was few days since visiting the
White Squadron at Pensacola. II is the
Naval Committee with Senator Cameron at
its head, and comprises Senators Butler,
Gray, Chandler, Stanford, Hale, Blackburn,
Mcpherson and Stockbridge. This sacred
nine" is going Eot only to inspect Uncle
Sans ships that may be found anywhere
scattered along the coast, but also to visit
all the docks and navy yards and insttu-
tions of that sort. They will put in much
oi their time, accompanied as usual by a
stenographer and clerks and their wives
and other female relatives, at Newport,
Tampa, San Francisco, Puget Sound, Bar
Harbor and other well known watering
places The expense will be charged to the
contingent fund" of the Senate.
There are twice as many committees of
the Senate going on Summer outings as we
have mentioned, but these will suffice as
examples OF the delightful way in which
this committee junketing business is worked
by knowing Senators to have an agreeable
time for themselves and their friends at the
expense OF the taxpayers during the long
hours OF the Summer.
Is it not about time that an inquiry were
instituted into the resources and purposes
OF that inexhaustible contingent fund" of
the Senate, which not only supplies Sena-
tors in Washington with "lace curtains, pri-
vate clerks, Turkish rugs, hair oils, per
fumes, periodicals, &C." but which gives be-
tween thirty and forty of them every year
The means of enjoying delightful excursions.
Taxpayers for all these excursions
would it not be well to inquire, once
in way, whether you are getting your
moneys worth in allowing the charming
arrangement to continue?
o