The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-02-24
VOL. XXXV.--NO. 1S.
MEDICINES FOR THE SENATE.
These and Toilet Articles Cost Large
Sums.
washington Letter in Philadelphia Times.

Washington Letter In Philadelphia Times.
The United States Senate has been pop
ularly dubbed ''The Millionaires' Club"
1t is the cheapest club in the world for a
poor man to join. Its perquisites, daily
increasing, are too numerous for reckoning.
Nevertheless, its extravaganza cannot be
brought to the door of any particular party,
administration or Congress. The Senate
is perpetual body; its perquisites have
been of perpetual growth since the birth
the nation.
The newly prepared report of the secre-
tary of this dignifed body reveals some
amusing facts. 1t shows, for instance,
that a local drug firm received in the last
fiscal year more than 81, 700 for medi-
cines and toilet articles These were sup
piled to the senators for their individua al
use and paid for out of the generous pocket
of Uncle Sam. At the rate of 5000 per
head, each senator should have kept clean
ly and healthy during the few months en-
ployed at the Capitol. No small item of
this expenditure was one Thousand doses
of bromo- -seltzer and bromo caffeine. The
reading public, of course, is too charitable
to regard such a purchase as at all sugges-
tive Of lax morals But these figures are fish
in the nets of the Prohibitionist spies now
said to be shadowing the ''powers that be. -
Three dozens of caffeine powders, four
cases of lithia water, two bottles of bromo
lithia and so. 20 worth of lithia tablets
further contributed to keeping the sena-
torial system in good repair.
Fourteen thousand quinine pills, or 163
for each senator, made small item for
city where malaria and grippe are notori
ously rampant. Add two pounds of cough
lozenges, one pound of chloride of potash
and two bottles of 'tgargling oil. y
But this was not the end of Uncle
Sans generosity in warding off senatorial
colds 1t has long been his custom to send
members of the upper house snugly home
in hired carriages whenever it rains, halls
or SHOWS. An undertaken is usually IA
yored with the contract During the biz
zard of last winter S132 was spent thus in
one day. The total bill for extra carriage
hire during the year was $461.
The funeral of the late Senator Morrill,
cost the government SO, 2O579. OF this,
the railroads received over 81, 1000, the
undertaken $500, local quartet choir,
$40, decorator 1925, while $3.50 was
paid for Grape, ribbon, gloves and regalia
Five thousand dollars in addition was pre-
sented to the heirs of this senator, and, in
the same year, an equal amount was
voted to heirs of two former senators who
had died
BY far the greatest proportion of ex-
pense incurred each year for toilet articles
is demanded by the Senate barber shops
and bathrooms. 1t is not general known
that each member Of this distinguished body
is barberized gratis as many times day
as he selects.
The stationery room of the Senate is
likewise an institution of great economy,
medium through which no end of necessi-
ties can be purchased at cost price. Over
81, 100 was exchanged through this room
for card eases, purses and pocketbooks
during the last year. Seven hundred and
fifty-six knives and numerous cases of cut
lery were bought in the same manner, not
to mention dozen manicures.
For the Vice Presidents S room were
bought during the same twelvemonth the
following items: A silver inkstand, 81, 900;
an antique mahogany desk to set under it,
1925, mahogany library tables, $50;
Davenport sofa, $3.50; two royal Sennah
rugs, S212; two pairs Brussels point lace
curtains, $500; Neapolitan silk-velvet por
tiere, $40; one clock, 5000; one silk
velour slumber robe, made to order,
S45.50.
During the hot weeks in June the Sen
ate paid S136 for lemons for lemonade,
and shortly afterwards returned no less
than 3, 700 empty bottles which had con-
tanned lithia water
Regardless of the enormous salaries paid
to its employees the Senate, during the last
fiscal year, presented them with $4,000
extra-an amount equal to the annual
wages of the President. This is entered
as zone months pay to officers and en-
ployes of the Senate, under the deficiency
bill " Such gift is voted sometimes
during almost every Congress, and in view
of the fact that the last was doubtless the
busiest in many years the allowance of a
paltry $50, 900 was more than justified by
precedent.
Trust Charges Here And Abroad.