From the Annals of Gubernatorial Groceries –   In 1915, the Thirty-Fourth Legislature passed a deficiency appropriations act providing $2,000 a year for two years for expenses incurred by former Governor Oscar B. Colquitt (who knew we once had a Governor named Oscar?) for fuel, lights, water, and ice for the governor’s mansion, and other items for the Governor’s private use. The bill famously included appropriations for “chicken salad and punch.”  Although Attorney General Benjamin F. Looney ruled the appropriation invalid, Governor James “Pa” Ferguson signed the bill.

This set off a lawsuit which became known as the “Chicken Salad Case”  in which Rep. W. C. Middleton of Rains County brought suit seeking a temporary injunction restraining the Comptroller from issuing warrants on the state treasury to cover these expenditures.  The temporary injunction was granted, and the matter headed to the Texas Supreme Court.  For the end of the story, you will have to wait until June 14.

Photo from http://www.ttarchive.com