West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1904-04-28
Our washington letter.
The Funeral o { Senator Hanna Cost
The Tax Payers $40, 900, Al
though He Vas a Millionaire.
How Gen. Sheridan Came 20 be APP
pointed 10 West Point
Feom oaI Issular eOrresp0ndenl.

discussed the bills providing for the govern
ment of the Panama Canal zone Ii now
seems likely that that vcrnifotm appendix
of Uncle Sans will be KEEP, in sanitary
condition 10y claws TO be ''enacird" 10y tho
Canal Commission of seven gentlemen.
Where Congress gets its authority to transfer
to the Isihmian Pleaides ihrfight TO legsIste
for American cilizens, Heaven only knows.
II probably derives it from the same source
whence President Roosevelt obtains the
right TO confer legislative functions ou his
subordinate in the Pension Once.
The Mccall Congressional Committee
appointed to investigate the great postotiiec
scandals. mas reported. The charge made
by the Fourth Assisian, Postmaster General.
Mr.. Bhstow. was tha, many copgressmen
were corrupt; tina, hundred cases could re
cited Ia which millions Of dollats had been
used for additional clerk hire as an official
perquisite ''for the benefit OF personal and
political friends - MeCan's committee
announces that this is false; that Congress
men are all honest aud that onlv two or
j, sets forth crystal jar Of the perfumes Of
Araby which can be used 10 sweeteu their
sweetness. The Senate has voted down the
Gorman resolutions for postofiice invesii-
CATION by Congress, Mr. Lodge saying. ''ln
our own way, in our own time, when we
think proper. We viii provide for an inves,i-
CATION" Mr. Lodge, however, is widely
noted for having crooked chronological
notions and as no, properly distinguishing
between time and eternity. Il is barely
possible but not probable that The Repubii-
cans In Congress will be compelled to pre-
vide for some investigation OF the scandals
by the unremit,ing demands aud salirical
prodding Of the Democrats CorruI lion is
popular.
The funeral abuses of Congress cry loudly
for reform. II il nov believed that not less
than 5000 will be paid GU, Of the Treas
urY 70. the bariaI Of Senator Hanna,
although he was millionaire. Congress
man Oates OF Alabama, in one of bis las,
speeches denounced ,he habit of sending
committees of honor to accompany the
remaias of deceased Senators and Repre-
sentaliyes TO their place If intermeui. and
said, "rhese committees. instead Of being
| genuine moarners. usually take pleasure ex-
cursIons or jnukets at the expense Of the
| public treasury. never have served on one
of them, but / note among the expenditures
one funeral which cost S5z, 900 and another
which reached near $4,000 " The first of
these was made up Of the foiloWing items
Transportation and burial. 1850. "a; vol
ume of eulogies, $40, 900; expense Of Con.
gEess adjourned one day, $40, 600; money
voted to widow, $1,000; total, $sz, $780, "a
Congress is not only 10 the habit Of giving
$1,000 as PratuiIy 10 the widows Of all
members who die in service, bu, Of making
a corresponding present 10 the widows and
aud other relatives Of all clerks of Congress
who die In service. On April 2S, 1888, the
Senate gave 81, z96 to Mary 4. X Quimby,
sister ot the enrolling clerk; ana when r.
II. SALISBURY, another clerk, died, SI,oos
was given to his family "lo be considered
as including funeral expenses aud other
allowances. And so on for dozens OF other
clerks. The expense of buryiDg a Repre-.
sentative or Senator is often Sufficient "a
make any poor family rich The eulogie.
Of Senator Logan were printed by the gov.
ernment al cost OF $4,000, exclusive oI
wrapping, addressing and postage, lsome
thousands iuore) and steel engrsyings. cost
ing $500 TO $1,000 each. One hundred
copies constituted an edition de luxe In
morocco ana gold for the widow. How
does Congress dare to infict such expeusr.
upon the American tax-payerp
There is a national convention in this ciiy
every day in the round year. comprising
people from every State in ,he Union. 10
day We fall into the hands Of the Knights Of
Columbus, 10000 Of whom come aockinl
from every point Of the compass 20 present
TO the Catholic University here $50. 900 {,
endow chair Of secular history This il
probably the largest check ever drawn, 70,
it is on cardboard len feet long and foul
feet vide, ornate 10 high colors Tn,
Knights nigh; have staid at home and b,
saving expenses have sent a smaller check
four times as large, but they wouldn'l hay,
seen the capital or had the fun We s.,
them all coming before IL is light, and ssiu,,
them At sunrise, GOOD morning. good
Knigh 3"
met the other day IN committee room
Secretary Wilson Of the Agricultural Depart
meni ! remarked that be bad 10 6eh, ful
all he gol, aiiuding 10 some sharp cddcismi
to which his appropriation bill was sub
jec,ed eyes" he said. "of course; maf
is born to fgbt as the sparks 20 ny upward q
/ made some allosion 10 bis predecessor. N.
gri olf fighter, General Rask "By n,
way, De said, 'did jo, eyer hear Rusi
tell h5y Sasdiau came 20 bee appomtd 4,
West Point" ACKNOWLEDGING ihai b.,
not, be went oa "reo buys passed ,hc ex
animation called for by he Ohio Congress
man and seemed equally competent 20 re-
ceiye ibe appointment 10 Wem Point TheA
fathers we're both pfominsn, mcu and o.,
Congressman vas in pickle They had
private meeting 10 setiic The difficulty and &
ended will ihe proposition that they boil
Withdraw aud confer ihe place on some poo
boy. fhcg decided on Johnny Sheridan