, 1876-03-05

There aro many lessons in tho social econ.
omies to be learned from the downfall Of the
Secretary Of War, aud there are many prob
lens suggested by it, one at least Of which
must be soon solved if malfeasance in Office
is ever to be stayed in this country. This
problem lies ut tile very root of tho ruin Of
Secretary BE1Ks4p, and therefore deserves
attention
Out Of the 5000, 600 families in the United
States there are at least 100000 who ,nay
be termed fashionable, who indulge in
fashionable follies,-tLe most of whom live
clear up to their means oad many of them
far beyond them, aud who are continually
struggling to make aa outward elegant show.
Of tlesa 1,000, 600 families there are perhaps
1000 whose incomes nre very largo to in
mense, and who spend more every ycaz than
the salary Of the Secretary Of War. They
are the IS cream on the milk Of Society"
They dominate the other 900,00 fashionable
families They are the envy of them. They
are initiated By them, so far as it is possible.
The 800, ,00o spend their lives in struggling to
keep in the wake of the upper 100000. They
come as near to their diamonds, silks, laccs,
yelyets, and equipages as their money and
credit will bring them. These 100000
families have become proverbia1 the world
over for their waste, extravaganza, and
fashionable fam. They are known not only
in Washington, New York, Saratoga, Long
Branch, and Newport, but also in London,
Paris, and all the great cities OF Europe, for
their extravagant expenditures and their
prodigal waste of money. They spend more
than the same class in any OF the foreign
cities, and cut greater dash, and, it may be
added, more ridiculous one.
Out Of these social grades and their infIu-
ences, one upon the other, arises the problem |
which pertains to official life in this country,
and this problem brings up three important |
which must be considered in the |
attempt to solve it. We believe that any one |
# these three suggestions, it put into actual |
practice, would do away with official turpi- |
+ude. But, can they ever be put into prac-
ice2 They are none the less, however,
worthy the serious consideration of the peo-
ole Of this country, and ought to have it un-
ess the people Of this country are themselves
o fearfully demoralized since the War that
hey are Indifferent to these violations Of pub
ic trust
The first Of these suggestions is: Can these
90, 600 spendthrift families come down
o Republican simplicity, to palmer drcssand
Manners, to less Of ostentation and taydry
[isp1ay? It is evident enough that
hey must before the other 900, 600
ill cease to ape them and struggle
0 keep in !" fashionable and stylish society,""
nth all that term implies. Just 50 long as
hese 100000 high-hyers keep on in their
curse of wasteful display, the 900, 900 will
pproSimate as near to it as they can get
here are few men in these families who
lay retain q little Independence and refuse
, follow, but the ''ladies j" are bondwomen.
hey are the slaves, boundhand and foot to the
pper hundred Thousand, and they will fol-
w them and initiate them, and they will
I'VE the money to do it, if notin one way then |
| another. If they do not spend money and
eep up appearances; if they do not sport
leir diamonds, and velvets, and equipages,
I'd give receptions, dinners, and breakfasts, I
ley will be snubbed, and tabooed, and cut !
the rolls Of the upper circles; and this to I
le average fashionable woman would be l
ther worse than death itself. There is no 9
ty in the world where the lives of these s
20 social circles intersect more closely thnn I
Washington, and it was the attempt of i
Is. BE11SAp,. as one OF the 900, 600, to keep q
} corresponding style with the big fishes
the upper hundred Thousand that has t
ined her husband and brought disgrace on s
e nation. Y
There is another question missed by o
is problem. Shall 'tAe public Off a
is be chosen from these hundred .
ousand 1ich families, who can af- c.
ID to fam, SO that We may hare II
N IN office who are not dependent upon il
iii salaries for luxurious living, but who ci
re private incomes sufficiently large to a,
able them to maintain establishments in II
and support their magnificent
le without having to resort to corrupt Il
4ctices to keep up in the fashionable race al
ere are half a dozen such officials in Wash ea
ton in the Cabinet, Senate, and Supreme in
IT. and the families Of all the others a1e ci