Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-12-28
TAKERS OF TIPS.
ITCHING PALMS WHERE ONE MIGHT
NOT EXPECT THEN.
True Stories That Illustrate the Preva-
ience of Tipping and Bribery
Here and Abroad.

True Stories That Illustrate the Preva-
lence of Tipping and Bribery
Here and Abroad.
1t Is not easy to say where tipping ends
and downright bribery begins, any more
than it is easy to decide at what point in
the social scale one may cease to tip. Each
OF these points is illustrated by true story
OF English life. An American travelling in
Great Britain fell into conversation with
an Englishman, and presently, of course,
was listening to TRADE against corruption
in American politics. The American bore
it all patiently and acknowledged the truth
OF many charges brought by his compan-
ion, but finally asked whether there was no
corruption in English politics. 'Some;
but not so much as in yours" was the an
swer. ANY bribery" pursued the
American. The Englishman' 8 face changed,
and then, with smile, he admitted that
there was. In fact, he had met with it in
his own experience. Supplies furnished
by him to the Government had been re.
jected on the ground that they were not up
TO the specified quality. He knew that
they were, and applied to friend for q
solution of the matter. Whom have you
seen ?" said his mentor. 81 mean whom
have you bribed?" The contractor was
forced to admit that he had bribed no one.
Then go and do it at once, said the other
Begin with the laekey at the door, and
don't stop short of the Secretary"
Armed with this advice, the contractor
proceeded to the proper Office, and began
by tipping half crown to the man at the
door. AThis brought him, not to the Secre-
tary. but to some subordinate's steno-
grapher. Once in the presence of the
stenogrepher, the contractor unosienta-
tiously laid five-pound note on the desk,
and propouDded his query. The steno-
grapber, with alacrity, referred him to
some one else, and that person was also
tipped, or bribed, as you prefer to regard
the operation. Before the Secretary was
reached, eleven persons were seen, and the
price was higher with each successive of
fetal. Finally, when the contractor came
to the Secretary, who is q cabinet officer. the
latter touched bell and presently in came
a man that had upon his person f20- of the
contractors money. This man brought the
papers in the case. The Secretary con.
ferred with him; there was some nodding
and frowning, and presently the Secretary
turned to the contractor and said: Make
your mind easy; injustice has been done
you; another mans material was inspected
by mistake for yours"
The contractor probably did not bride
the Secretary, but the operation cost him a
good round sum. 1t was cheap at the price,
however, for half his fortune was staked on
the venture.
III.
told; but it is a transcript from an Ameri.
cans experience in England. The gentle.
man in question was at Chester, looking
about the Cathedral and wondering how
he should get into the Chapter House.
Presently he saw robed gentleman of re.
spectacle aspect approaching, and deter
mined TO appeal to him. He in robes ex-
planned that the Chapter House was not
ordinarily opened to the public, but if his
auestioner would wait for twenty minutes,
| until the sitting of the Chapter should end,
| peep at the place might be obtained He
| was subsequently IS good as his word, for
he not only showed the American about
| the Chapter House, but explained intelli-
gently many features of interest AS the
| pair came out, the American eyed his cice-
rome and decided that half crown was the
proper tip. So, thrusting a hand into his
pocket, he drew out the coin. But before
he could present it the other redeemed vio-
| lently and said in haste: You, better put
it into the charity box" They parted with
apologies on one side and soothing assur.
snces on the other, but the American was
not placed entirely at ease when, on point.
ing out his recent guide to an underling OF
the Catheral, be learned that the venerable
untipped was the Dean himself. Doubt
less the very reverend gentleman has often
| told the story with applause
Here is another true story apropos OF
| tips, bribery and the supposed purity OF
earlier times. Many years ago, while
slavery still fourished in Delaware and
many negroes that were not slaves were
bound for term of years, famous old
politician became surety for negro bound
boy, accused of some criminal offense
When the time for trial came the master
took the lad TO Court, prepared to deliver
him into the hands of the officers. When
the time for trial came the master took the
lad to Court, prepared to deliver him into
the hands of the officers. While the master
was absent moment, however, the lad
thinking upon the pains Of imprisonment
and rejecting that he was near the lines O.
several other States, took 10 his heels. j
meant to the master forfeiture of bal
amounting to several hundred dollars. Blu
he took the simple course of going to tn,
Attorney General, as the prosecuting off
Ger is called in Delaware, pressing ten
dollar bill into his hand and begging t.
hear no more of the case. He had his way
species of tipping that cannot b. calle(
bribery is common enough in public office
in this country. A New Yorker visiting ,
public building in Philadelphia was intro
duced by 'the Major" to 1.-THE Captain,
who should do the honors of the place. Ii
the course of the inspection the Captain ex
hibited pamphlet, which the New Yorke
saw that be was expected to buy. He poil
his quarter, and continued the tour. Wher
everything had been seen the New Yorke
attempted to escape, but was detainet
while the Captain explained impressivel,
that the inspection had been much NOR
thorough one than was accorded to tn
mob of visitors Surely this could not meal
another tip, thought the New Yorker, Blu
as the Captain continued in the sam
strain, his guest began to think that i
could mean nothing else. Then an ess
and graceful way out occurred to him, an,
he said, half hesitatiugly: will You nc
come out and have drink?' The Captain
untouched in dignity, promptly accepte,
the invitation.
New Workers, accustomed to tipping @
every turn, make the mistake of supposin
that the tip has become national institu
ton. This is far from true. There ar
mean-spirited persons everywhere, 70
whom the Jingle of the guinea heals III
hurt that honor feels" but the great mas
! OF Americans are interrupted by this form
! OF petty bribery. Wherever fashionabl
folks from the great cities are accustome
to summer, there the natives are open /
tipping. But the greater part of the peopl
lU0 miles from the Atlantic coast not onl
do not take tips, but do not understan
what is meant when tip is offered. Il
the interior this independence of spiri
hourishes. along with MONDAY dinner.
early rising ard soft felt bats. The peopl
have. not been Europeanized, and the
are charmingly unconscious OF the fact this
any considerable number of their fellow
Americans have undergone that process.
PEOPLE WHO ARE TALKED ABOUT
Emperor William is an ardent amateu
photographer.