Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-08-10
.PoRK BARRELS
Origin of the Famous Phrase In Con-

gress.
aPork barrels is phrase so long ar-
piled to certain congressional appropria-
ton bills that it would seer, to reach as
far back into antiquity as ''log rolling"
yet the phrase is not so ancient, even II
the practice is. Arthur W. Dunn, for
years the congressional reporter OF the
Associated Press, and now representing
the Lewis publications in Washington,
tells the story OF the origin OF this phrase
as it is now applied to omnibus appropria-
ton bills.
Tom Clunie was responsible for the
expression "pork barrels. 1t was in the
Fifty-first Congress, the famous Reed
Congress, that it happened In those
days they did not have omnibus public
buildings bills, or omnibus claims bills.
Dave Mercer, OF Nebraska, invented the
omnibus public buildings bill when he
was chairman Of the committee on public
buildings and grounds. | do not re-
member who was sponsor for the omni-
bus claims bill, that measure in which
large number OF claims are punched
in order to bet the legislation through.
At all events omnibus bills are becom-
ing more and more fashionable, and the
last Congress saw omnibus lighthouse
bills, omnibus Indian bills, omnibus
bridge bills and omnibus public land bills
passed. Years ago, am told, river and
harbor improvements were appropriated
for on the piecemesl plan, each project
standing by itself. Then there was the
omnibus river and harbor bill in which
all meritorious projects we're cared for.
But to return to Tom Ciunie, and the
expression s.pork barreI'. That was a
wonderful session, taking it altogether,
and one OF the interesting features was
the public building legislation. Two days
were set apart for the consideration OF
public buildings bill. II is doubtful
whether Tom Reed would have allowed
that time IL Seth MilliKen. OF Maine, had
not been chairman OF the committee on
public buildings and grounds and bad
everything cooked up to take care OF the
Pine Tree State ahead Of ali others.
Men who had been fortunate enough to
have their bills reported, called them up
one after another and, although the
economists fought them from time to time,
a dozen or more states were cared for the
first day. The second day there WAS q
great scramble for place, and men watched
the proceedings with care to see IL their
bills would be reached.
Late in the afternoon, with q dozen bills
still on the calendar, the excitement be-
came intense. Finally, one Of TIE econo-
mists on the republican side moved TO
adjourn. Instantly there was a great
clamor among those whose bills had not
been reached, but high above the din and
uproar was heard the voice OF Tom Clunie.
Clunie was a democrat, representing =
San Francisco district, and was one OF the
best fellows imaginable. Every body liked
him. Jovial, smiling, with a good word
or joke for everybod he was beyond
doubt one of the most popular men in the
House.
"Hold on! Hold on there,n shouted
Tom, and his voice rang out so loud that
every body stopped. "Don't adjourn till
get my piece of pork.'
He went on with some other explana-
ton, but 1t was drowned in laughter. Ii
won. The House refused to adjourn and
the appropriation for public building in
Tom CIunie's district in San Francisco
was passed.
Ever since that time everything that
means any appropriation for a congress
mans district has been labelled ..pork"
and congressman have been abused be-
cause they were ''pork barrel statesmen.
1t is natural for senators and congressman
to look after their states. II they did no,
their states would be neglected and wha,
is more, men could not remain in Con-
gress unless they procured q share OF the
appropriations for necessary improve
| ments in their districts.