Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-09-21
Republican Livery sssbiss.

Riding at public expense by govern
ment officials and employees is an abuse
that has grown enormously since the
days of Landaulet Williams. 1t is in
all the departments and everywhere in
the government. Each department has
it's seperate outfit, some having q num-
ber of carriages continually in use.-
Persons are riding nearly all the time.
The government carriages are used by
the families of the cabinet officers to do
their calling and shopping and general
pleasure taking. The proof of this may
be seen almost any hour Of the day.
The secretary of state is reported to
have taken government eQuirpage
with him during the summer vacation
1t was easier than buying one, and If
not the honest way to provide for his
family, it was at least the cheapest.
Besides this carriage for the secretary
of state, the governments provides one
for the assistant secretary, which is
similarly used.
While every department has its regu-
lar livery, horses and carriages, they
are sometimes hired from stables. Be-
sides this, car tickets are purchased for
the overworked people who have not
yet succeeded in having carriages pro-
vided for them. At present they are
contont to put up with the street cars
at public expense, they and their fami-
lies, but live in expectation Of regular
carriages to be paid for out of the treas
ury.
The dishonest methods Of Landaulet
Williams are not catalogued among the
necessities, if not among the virtues, Of
official life in Washington. The thous-
ands annually paid out of the treasury,
except possibly the amount necessary
for official business by heads Of depart
ments, are paid without the color of
law. 1t would be just as lawful and
honest to pay the house rent, butchers
bills, and similar expenses, as any ex-
penses for carriages beyond the needs
of public business.
Not only the heads of departments,
but bureau officers havet their carriages.
Their families and friends also ride and
enjoy themselves at public expense.
This is no news in Washington. 1t Is
all of the same nature as the presidents
taking government vessel TO enjoy
himself and entertaining any number
of favorites; or as Secretary Chandler's
appropriation Of a naval vessel for the
entire season to have good time with
his cronies; or as the deadhead system
which has obtained throughout the
government. 1t is consistent with the
universal absenteeism which the coun-
| try has come to view with Amazement.
! 1t is hard to ascertain the total cost
of the livery bills for the departments
but some figures are at hand which con-
vey an idea Of what it must be. For
instance, the cost for the interior de-
partment for the year ending June 80,
1882, the latest period covered by a re-
port, independent Of pay to drivers at
not less than $700 person, was little
under $1,000. As there are seven de-
partments, the gross cost of department
deadheading in the city of Washington
is readily inferred. Some Of the de-
partments may not come up to the in
terror in this species of unlawful ex-
penditure, while others are likely to go
beyond it.
This abuse has grown up within a
very few years. Though not among the
greatest it is about the worst, for it is
perpetTated in the executive branch of
the government by officials to whom the
service looksup as examples and guides.
OF the $40, 900 or $50, 900 paid annual
ly for department carriages, for only a
very small part can there be found the
shadow of justification, the rest belongs
to individuals to pay as much as any
other item of their family expense.
What reason can a single cabinet officer
give why the government should pro-
vide carriage for his family any more
than his house rent? and yet they all
do it.
/ The republican party must gol-Ns~
| York Sum