The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-16
Congressional FUNERALS
Senator William Alfred Peffer Fur-
nishes Some interesting Figures.
COST or BURYlNG THE DEAD
Items Of Expense Following the Shoot
ing OF President Garfieid-Outrase.
Gus Fees Charged by Dr. Bliss.
Step Looking to Reform.
Tribune Bureau.
5i5 Fourteenth ST., n. w.

NoSnltlSIOIl, lStN. ~.
Since William Alfred PETER entered
the United States senate on March l.
| 1891, he has figured more or less con-
| spicuously in one thing or another. He
has been looked upon by his colleagues
| and the world at large as u most pecu-
| liar man in many respects--in fact, he
| has been regarded as crank of the lat
| est and most approved pattern. He has
been the butt of every newspaper para
! grapher in the United States, and In
parts of Canada and the United King
| dom. His whiskers have furnished col
unns upon columns for the caricatur-
lists and funny men. Senator PETER has
taken the slaps and insults in n Chris
tian-like manner. He never criticises
his critics, but goes along in the even
tenor of his way.
Since he has been in the senate Sena-
tor PETER has not been idle. He Is one
of the hardest workers in the upper
branch of congress. Several months ago
he began gathering data on Congress
sional funerals" since the foundation
of the government down to the present
time, and last Thursday he addressed
the senate on that question. He fur
nished facts and figures which are cal
cUlated to take the breath Of political
economists. as well as throw some light
upon the extravaganza practiced by
both houses in burying their dead men,
bers.
After telling how the money is appro-
priated and how the expenses OF Con
gressional funerals" have grown with
the government. Senator PETER
launched intn
which are really startling. Many of
these have already appeared in The
Tribune.
Personal Experience.
Senator PETER was the master of
ceremonies at the funeral Of his coll
league. the late Senator Plumb. of Kan
sas He admits that that funeral was
conducted as cheaply and economically
as possible under the circumstances, the
total expense being s3OS2.75. In COM
| menting upon the expense of burying
the late Judge Chipman. of Michigan,
member OF the house. Senator PETER
furnished an itemized account. Among
the items were $35 for a soloist and a
male choir; four clergymen's fees, $40.
and surpliced choir and organist, $40.
The senator said these items might ex-
cite wonder, but they were down on the
expense account just the same, In
conclusion he said:
without going further into details. I
nave shown enough to satisfy every ona
who cares to consider the subject at all
that the custom of congressional funerals
mas grown into an abuse. 1t is not gem
erally respected as serious proceeding
by the people at large. Indeed, 1T IL hard
ly referred n in
any case of public criticism But place
my objection on the broad ground that
1t Is not proper object of public expen-
diture. Nor ought the contingent fund
OF either house OF congress be drawn upon
for such outlays. Whatever may be. and
ought to be, appropriately done on the oc-
casion of the death of senator or member
of the house ought to be done as a mat
ter or public decency and the expenses
should be paid out of the public treas.
ury.
AS to those cases where the death occurs
at home or away from the capital, or when
congress is not in session, thew are no.
matters that concern the nation so much
as to Justify any expenditure of public
money. Whatever is proper to be done In
such cases Is for the people at home TO do
and congress ought not to interfere In any
manner with that If members of this or
or the other house Of congress wish to at
tend and participate in the obseouies. Mt
their own expense, nobody will be found to
object. Such personal sacrifice would
be good evidence Of a devoted friendship.
Nothing better illustrates the depth of
mans convictions than that he show
his faith by his works. Friendship. II
sincere, does not need artificial stimulus
TO bring 1t to the surface. Grief comes
from the heart-one's own heart: II does
not originate In the pockets Of other peo-
pie. The average congressional funeral.
so 1t Is commonly charged, is nothing more
than a party Of good-natured gentlemen
having good time at the public expense"
The Garfield Funeral
The greatest expense ever Incurred by
the government In the death line was
that of President Garfield. From the
time Guiteau fired the fatal shots into
the body of the late and lamented presi.
dent until the time his remains were
laid to rest in the cemetery at Cleve-
land, 1t cost Uncle Sam just $39, ,7s3,O1
This gigantic sum included the fees of
six physlcians, $24, 500. The largest fee
was that of DIR. d. w. Bliss. So 500. Tho
others charged "a, 900 to $1,000 each.
Senator PETER has introduced bill
regulating the cost of each funeral in
the future. His main object is to break
UP the custom of "picnic parties" at
tending the funerals Of deceased MEM
bers at the governments expense.
w. r. B.