East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-05-09


Since the death of Senator William
Grayson of Virginia, a member of
the first American congress, 126 sem
ators have died during their term of
service. Nearly all of these mer
have been buried at the expense of
the government. Data is not avail
able covering the funeral expenses
paid by the United States in every
case, but sufficient records are at
hand to show that on an average
considerably more than $1,000 have
heen expended from the contingent
fund of the senate to provide proper
interment for deceased members of
that body.
Prior to 1925 twenty-three sena-
ice.
Three senators died in 1925, viz,
Nicholas Van Dyke of Delaware,
Joseph McIIvaine of New Jersey, and
John Gaiard of South Carolina. At
least a part of their funeral expenses
was borne by the government, for
the contingent fund shows an expen-
diture of sS77.41 for this purpose.
From that time until the death in
1850 of Senator John C. Calhoun of
South Carolina, the funeral expenses
of senators ranged from 5000 to
| $500. Mr. Calhoun's funeral was
the most expensive held under gov
ernment auspices in the first half of
the century, involving an expendi-
| ture of S3106.47. For the funeral of
his successor, Franklin H. Elmore,
who died 23 days after he had taken
the oath Of office, s1796.1O were ex-
perded.
S5I47 OF for Clay's Funeral.
The next senator to die in office
was Henry Clay Of Kentucky, whose
death occurred on June %, 1852.
Senator Clay's funeral bill was great
| than any senator before or since, ex
cept Senator George Hearst of Cali
fornia. To provide a proper inter-
Inent for the distinguished Kentuck-
ian, the senate contingent fun was
diminished s5447.02.
Senator Stephen a. Douglas died
in Chicago in 1861, no share of his
funeral expenses being paid from the
national treasury. Neither was the
government put to any expense when
senator Andrew johnson died at his
home in Tennessee in 1875. The
death of Senator Charles Sumner of
Massachusetts, occurred a year ear
lier. His funeral bill amounted to
s4sS7.s9. In 1877 Senator Oliver P.
Morton died at his home in Indian
apolis, and the contingent fund shows
an expenditure of s75O.3O in payment
of funeral bills. Only $3.50 was
expended to settle the funeral ac-
count of Senator Zachariah Chan
cago in 1879.
S21,2O1.O5 for Hearsts Funeral.
The high water mark in congress
siOnal funerals was reached when
Senator George Hearst of California
lied in Washington six days before
the adjournment of the fifty-first
congress in 1891. The body of the
California senator was taken across
the continent in a special train of
five cars. The congressional party
remained In California for severay
days, and returned to Washington
via the Southern route, the round
trip journey requiring 90 days. Sem
ator Vance wished to return via the
Northern Pacific, and Sl74 was paid
to cover his expenses.
To pay the hotel expenses for five
nv hn rtx Ia,
Francisco s777.40 was expended.
Hotel and carriage bills at Monerey
amounted to s212.5O and the cost of
meals en- the train was S2463.24. Be-
fore leaving Washington two dozen
pairs If silk gloves and one dozen
silk sashes We're purchased at a cost
of $75.71 The total expense of the
trip was $21,201.OE.
The most expensive funeral in re-
cent years was that of the late Sem
ator Hanna, who died in Washing
ton in 1904. The coffin containing
his body was brought to the senate
chamber, where services were held.
large delegation from each branch
OF congress accompanied the funeral
party to Cleveland. The expense of
this funeral was s53S2.SS. A state
funeral was held also for Senator
William Il. Bate of Tennessee in
1905, at an expense Of $4533.G.
Where They Are Buried.
Until about 1885 practically every
representative or senator who died
while holding office was buried in
the congressional cemetery. which
was established in Washington in
1907 There are 100 interments in
government ground in the congress
sional cemetery, sixty-eight being
representatives, sixteen senator's and
twenty-five persons occupying other
positions in public life. Among the
latter were Vice President George