Mr. TRUMBULL. I do not see any difficulty in makingthis report. The law of March 1, 1823, provides: “That the SeySenate and the Clerk of the HoRepbe, and they are hereby, required to lay before the 2 Houses. re spectively. at the commencement of cach session of congress, a table or statement showing the names and of the clcrks employed in their re: ective offices and the namesno compensation“ oft e messengers of the respective Ilouses, together with the detailedstatementof the itemsof exieiiditure of the contingent fund of the respective oust s for the next immediately preceding year: in which statement thi dishursoments shall be arrangedunder the following heads, to wit: 1st, printing: 2nd, stationery, and distinguishing under this head the articles furnishedfor use of the members from those furnished for the others of the Secretary and Clerk, and specifyin the nu er of reamsofeaeh kind of paper: 3rd. ooh binding; 4th fuel; 5th.news pa. crs, specifying under this head the amount of 0 ms given at the preceding session as well as the payments made: 6th, the postotfices:7th.the repairs and preservation of the furniture; 8th, services of messenzers and horses: nint, miscellane ous items not included under the preceding heads. Which statements shall exhibit also the severalsums drawn by the vsaidSecretary and Clerk respectively, from the Treasuy, and the balances, if any, remaining in their han s." The subsequent law of 1846 provided: “Thutitshall Bethe duty of the SeySenate. at the commencementof everyregular session of Congress, to report to the Senate, and of the Clerk of the HoRep to report to the House, and of the head of each Deptto report to Congress, a detailed statement of the an ner in which the contingent fund for each I house, and of their respectiveDepts, and for the bu reaus and 0 cc: therein, has beenexpended.triving the names ofevery persontowhomany portion thereof has been‘paid; andif for anything.UI’BISHOYtIh, e qgantity on price: and iffor any services rendered. the nature of‘sneh 80"10 8a, nd the time employed and the particular occasionor cause, in brief, that rendered such services necessary.” There is more of the law I will not read it all. That was the law. Coder that law, I have here the printed report of 1864, which tIhte Senfrom Missouri says is the last one. gives all these items. I cannot. read it; there are some 83 pages ofit. I open it “on page 43, an Ifind on this page: E. L. Barker. servicesas clerk to the ComManufactures, from April 14to May 10.inclusive, 27 days, at 6 dollars perday. 8162." I find on the same page: “Two reamsextra heavynote and ruled, to order. ten dollars. Onoreamletter. 8 dollars." Again: "One pocket wallet for money messenger, 3 0 lars “Attendance as a witness beforeJtCommee on the conduct of the war, " 6w. “Hack hire for ComEnrollBill, 9 dollars." There are a variety of items which are extended, asI have said, throueh 80 pages. Now, sir, here is a report ot everything purchased and what it cost. Here are the hair brushcs and the wisp brooms. “ 3 wisp brooms, 60 cents.” All these items are here, and I 8 cold like to inquire of the chair mnn of the ComContingent Expenses if every one of these bills, before it is paid, is not approved by the ComContingent Expenses; whether the purchases made by the Sergeant at Arms are ever paid for by the disbursing officer until the billsreceive the approval of that committee.