Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-09-14
REP,8LroAN LIVERY STABLES.
Government Horses and Carriages APP
propriated for Private Use.


ProPriated for Private Use
Washington Special Yese York sun. nth.
Riding at public expense by govern
ment officials and employees is an abuse
that has grown enormously since the days
Of Landauiet Williams. 1t is in all the
departments and everywhere IN the
government. Each department has Its
separate outfit, some having a number OF
carriages continually in use. Persons
are riding nearly all the time. Inc
government carriages are used by the
families Of Cabinet officers to do their
calling and shopping and general pleasure
taxing. The proof of this may De seen
almost any hour Of any day. Inc Secre-
tary OF State is reported TO have taken
government equipage with MIN during
the summer vacation. 1t was easier IMAM
buying one, and if not the honest way TO
provide for his family, il was at least the
cheapest. Besides the carriage for the
secretary OF State, the government pro-
Yldes one for the Assistant secretary,
which is similarly used.
While every department has its regular
livery. horses and carriages, they are
sometimes hired from stables. BESIDES
this, car tickets are purchased tor the
OVer-worked people who have not yet sue
ceeded in having carriages provided Tor
them. At present they are content 10
put up with the street cars at puDllc eX-
pense, they and their families, but 1--we IN
expectation Of regular carriages to be PAID
for out of the Treasury.
The dishonest methods of Landaulet
Williams are now catalogued among the
necessities, if not among the virtues, OF
official life in Washington. The thou
sands 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 expense Tor
carriages beyond the needs ofpublic busi-
ness.
Not only the heads Of departments, but
bureau officers have 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 a
government vessel to enjoy himself and
entertaining any number of faYOrites: or
as Secretary Chambers 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. Ii is consist
ent with the universal absenteeism which
the country has come to view with
amaZement.
1t is hard to ascertain the total cost of
Juc livery DIS lOT the ucpdEllubUUSs nut
some figures are at hand which convey
an idea Of what it must be. For instance,
the cost for the Interior Department for
the year ending June 80. 1882, the latest
period covered by a report, Independent
Of pay to drivers, at not less than 500 a
person, was a little under $4,000. As
there are seven departments, the gross
cost of departmental dead-heading in the
city Of Washington is readily inferred.
Some Of the departments may not come up
to the Interior in this species Of unlawful
expenditure while others are likely to 90
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 perpetrated
in the executive branch of the government
by officials to whom the service looks up
as examples and guides,
OF the twenty or thirty thousand dollars
paid annually for department carriages,
for only 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 provide
a carriage for his family any more than
his house rentf And yet they all do it.