Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1897-10-29
UNCLE SANS FLOWERS.
A Pretty Custom Against Which wash
ington Florists Protest.

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One of the most pleasing features ID
official life in Washington is the CON
slant receipt, without cost Of cut flow
ers from the government gardens. These
flowers are furnished at the White
House and in all the executive depart
ments almost every day the year round
and not only are the desks Of the nigh
er officers made beautiful with the gifts
of nature, but they are passed around
to the residences not only Of the ad-
ministration, but Of congressman and
even Of subordinates. The understand
ing everywhere is that as the flowers
are grown in the botanical gardens and
Conservatives they simply are saved
from going to waste by being cut and
distributed where they will be most ap-
preciated This is pretty custom and
has become so general that no one ever
thought Of complaining about it.
But the florists Of the city find them
selves unable to compete with the gov
ernments free flower show, and they
have banded together to protest. They
have asked the president and the heads
of the departments to prohibit the use
of government property for private pur-
poses. They do not care about a vase Of
fresh flowers being kept on an official S
desk. hut they do find fault with the
propagation Of flowers in lighthouses and
in the parks and gardens by a special
force Of men to keep the whole Of Off
cial Washington supplied with bouquets
and table ornaments They also protest
against the loan OF potted plants for re-
ceptions, unless at the departments
where they belong.
The superintendent Of public build
ings and grounds is at a loss to know
how to meet the issue presented by the
local flower dealers. If he lets the flow
ers in the parks and gardens 90 to waste,
he does not believe that any one will be
compelled to purchase more flowers
than ne now finds it necessary to buy.
The government gardens will continue
to make these beautiful natural exhib-
its. and it would seem shame 70 let
them rot on their stems when they can
give so much pleasure by being judi
ciously scattered. Not only do the off,
Gals in the departments and the logis-
lators have the benefit Of the govern
ment's interest in horticulture. but the
hospitals as we'll are supplied from I'm
Gle Sam 5 nurseries.
As the government plants Of the more
expensive and rare varieties are never
used except at official receptions, and
then only by the president and the
heads Of departments TO which they be-
long. there does not seem to be any
more Of an abuse in the custom than in
the use Of carriages and horses by the
same officials at government expense.
The livery stable men could with more
justice protest against the use by the
petty officials Of government turnouts
for social purposes. This objection
would have good foundation. There is
no earthly reason why any official out
side Of the president and the member:
of bis cabinet should be supplied with
horses and carriages. As it Is now gov
eminent carriages attend receptions and
theaters III the evening and drive house
keepers 10 market in daytime for the
regular supply of meat and vegetables
This is an abuse which ought TO be rem
cdied, but the flowers will grow and
fade whether they are distributed or not.
New York Press