The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-09-26
QUEER STATE PAPERS.
Some Curious Things Done by the Old Con
tinental Congress.
Washington STAR


Some years ago Congress authorized
the late Ben: Perley Poore, then clerk
OF the printing records, to compile a
catalogue of the government publications
of the United States from September 5,
1774, to March T. 1881. The present Con-
gress is considering the advisability of
bringing this work up to date. The
Poore catalogue makes most formida-
BILE volume-1, 1922 pages, of which nearly
$50 pages are devoted to The index. AS
a book of reference it has an evident
value, but one would not turn to it
naturally for interesting reading to while
away an hour. 1t contains, however
much that is amusing and interesting
for anyone who wishes to hunt through
its pages. A great many men find en-
tertainment in the seemingly monotonous
occupation of reading the dictionary.
There is entertainments to be found-en-
tertainment of almost as varied a charac-
term Mr.. Poore's catalogue. This en-
tertainment is in the contrast between
the customs and ideas of the colonial
period and those of today. For example,
according to one OF the documents de-
scri bed in the catalogue, the colonial
Congress provided that counterfeiters of
have their ears cut off, and should be
whipped and fined. A dollar "would go
farther in those days." as Senator Evarts
said, and it was worth great deal more
than it is today.
Among the early documents printed by
order of Congress was history of the
American Indians, with Their Gus
toms. Descent from the Jews, ETC., com
piled from official sources, by J. Adair."
So began the study of ethnology under
the auspices of the government, which
is carried on with success at the present
time by Major PowelPs bureau. In the
early days Congress had more direct
dealings with the Indians than it has
now. 1t even addressed itself to them
direct. There is record of an address
dated Decem Der 16, IT'S, in which Capt.
White Eyes, Delaware chief, is well
coined to the council fire kindled for the
united colonies. In April, 1776. instruc-
tions were issued to &c. Morgann By the
committee on Indian affairs, in which
he was told that the Indians were to
be treated kindly and hospita bly,, inspired
with sentiments of justice and humanity.
and supposed to introduce the arts of
civil and social life.
A CLOTHING DEPARTMENT,
The men who fought the establishment
of the Department of Agriculture a few
years ago on the ground that it was
unnecessary will perhaps be surprised
to learn that one hundred years ago
there was Clothing Department. and
that Congress issued regulations for
clothier general, a state clothier, regi-
mental clothier and SO on. A depart
ment of clothing" would excite derisive
laughter now. There was a good deal
of inquiry and report on the subject of
cloJhing for the continental army, and
at one time Gen. Horatio Gates reported
that the cost of clothing each man was
S23
Congress today would be rather sur
prised at a proposition that it should print
an edition of the Bible. Yet such
proposition was made in memorial of
Dr.Allison, on which a special commit
tee made a report in Septemb er 1777.
The report OF the committee was adverse,
chiefly, it would appear, on the ground
of EXPENSE. The decision was reached,
latter conference with the printers, D and
the recommendation was made that,
instead of advancing money for import
ing type and printing this Bible, the
committee on commerce should order
10000 Bibles from Holland, Scotland or
elsewhere. Thus death blow was given
in committee to the first infant indus
try of America. In 1852 Congress was
asked to approve an American edition
of the Bible, and William White and
George Duffield, the chaplains of Con-
gress, made report recommending the
work.
BIBLES AND LOTTERIES.
At this time, when Congress was tax
ing SO deep al interest in the Bible. it
was practicing what Mr.. Wanamaker sue
ceeded some years ago in convincing
Congress was very immoral thing
promoting lottery. The committee on
war lottery reported i'll favor OF. the issue
OF 100000 tickets, at $40 each; the prizes
to be SIS, 600, 600 in treasury notes, paya-