Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-06
Modern Rip VAN Wrinkle
Objects to Wakimg UP

a dusty volume down from an upper
shelf, after which, In less than two sec
onds, he had found the right page and
indicated with a bony finger a paragraph
dealing with ale-conners Then he alb
ruptly disappeared. only to return in a
Few minutes carrying in his arms a big
book In manuscript again found and
pointed out paragraph. and rushed into
his strong room to return with a still
more gigantic book. also with something
about ale-conners.
Thus the writer learned the story of
these extraordinary officials. and a highly
amusing one it proved to be. 1t seems
that once upon time the paternal gov
eminent OF the city fixed the price at
which beer should be sold. and-what was
more lmportant-saw that IL was of pure
quality and not sophisticated" For the
latter purpose four officials were en-
powered to enter any saloon within til
city boundaries and taste the ale. For
this they were paid $50 a year. But the
remarkable thing is that these ale-con-
ners are still appointed, and still paid
their ancient salaries" 1t is good to
keep up picturesque old customs. but
why four men should be paid $50 each
for duties that disappeared long ago is
not easily explained. Apparently" re-
to this day. go into. any bar in the city
and demand glass of ale for nothing"
Not long ago in the course of an article
on the speaker of the house Of commons
the present writer duly noted that, like
certain ministers of state, judges of the
high court and officers of the royal house
hold, Mr.. Speaker is presented with "a
piece of livery cloth by the city corpora
ton. and DR.. Sharpe was asked kindly
to explain the origin of this custom.
The venerable clerk of the city records
chuckled. Then he announced that the
city spends over 500 year on bestow-
Ing these pieces of cloth. No one seems
to know exactly what happens to the
cloth. One theory is that the recipients
exchange 1t with their tailor for cloth
that can be made into an ordinary suit.
Anyhow, there is the amazing fact that
every year the cloth is gravely sent to a
number of men in high places. who as
gravely acknowledge IT,
The origin Of the custom is rather in
teresting.
Briefly" said DR.. Sharpe. the term
livery carries US back TO feudal times
when Ii was the custom for powerful
baronS to deliver badges and liveries TO
their retainers This custom caused so
many connections between royal barons
that 1t had TO be restrained by a series
of statutes extending down to the reign
OF Henry VII
None of these statutes however af-
fected the wearing of liyeries by the
mayor, sheriffs or aldermen of the city or
by members of guilds or fraternities
founded for an honest purpose. The high
officers of the city continued, therefore,
to wear. their respective livery gowns,
and to grant them to their subordnates.
The custom extended In course OF
time, and what Is known at the present
day as livery cloth was granted by the
corporation to ministers of state, judges
of high court and so on
DR.. Sharpe added that more than one
attempt has been made to abolish the
practice as being expensive unnecessary
and undignified, but up to now without
effect.