The Washington critic., 1888-03-08
OFFICIAL PERoUIsITEs.
A Great Economical Moral Conveye
hX "a Hnrsn nnh Wnnnn

A Great Economical Moral Conveyed
by u Horse and Wagon.
The present Administration is one of
rigid economy, as was practically demon
strated in the beginning by its purgng
itself of various official perquisites in the
shape of horses and carriages. In the
case of Secretary Lamar, for instance, the
Interior Department carriage was given
up, and the Secretary started out a-foot.
In short time he adopted a horse, and
later he got carriage to go with the
horse, and the original condition of things
once more obtained
The Dtest instance in this line of re-
trenchment and reform is the order which
deprived Architect Smithmeyer of the
new Library building of his vehicular
transportation, and relegated him to shoe
leather and street cars. This official turn
out cost $500 originally, and to bring it
within the lines of the new dispensation
II was purchased at secondhand. Other
wise it would have cost probably 81 900.
However, when the recent order for its
sale was carried into effect 1t netted the
Government $500, less commissions, &c,
a charge to Profit and Loss account of
5000 A more serious loss results to Mr..
Smithmeyer, whose duties call him to all
and much of whose time, instead of being
occupied in his Office, is wasted in footing
II around town, from Rock Creek to the
Navy Yard, or waiting on street corners
to catch a car which doesn't take him
where he wants to go. 1t might relieve
the situation to some extent and subserve
the interests ofeconomy ifCongress should
make an appropriation for street-car
tickets for Mr.. Smithmeyer's use, but it
10 ha OF
necessarily lose.
II is said that if Mr.. SIS vehicle had
gone into the Treasury account as wagon
instead of a coupe, there would have been
no objections made to it,. the coupe be-
ing supposed to be some sort of unknown
luxury highly injurious TO the reputation
for economy desired by the authorities of
the Administration.
Just as in another instance, an official
having bought cupboard for instruments
and odds and ends in his Office, was called
on to explain, because, by some mad
vertence, 1t got into the accounts as
"chitORnier." This Objectionable word
was expunged, cupboard" was substi-
tuted and the bill was promptly paid.
Economy is commendable feature in
the conduct of Government affairs, very
commendable feature, but when itreaches
degree of injurious stinginess 1t is time
to call halt and inquire if there is not
serious extravaganza in being penny wise
and pound foolish.
Mr. Smithmyer's duties are most inn
portant. His time is valuable, and the
Government owes it to itself and to him
to furnish him every facility for the
prompt transaction of his business.
Other officials with less need have these
facilities. and there is neither business
sense nor common justice in hampering
him by the practice of a niggardly econ
omy, which results in ridicule rather than
reform. II will cost 81 900 or more to give
him what he needs, but by subtracting
the $500, less commission received for his
late coupe (wagonl and horse, the draft on
the Treasurer need only be made for about
$40, and then some candidate for civil
lem and report the exact loss or gain the
Government has experienced by its wise
economy.