Evening journal., 1897-02-12
is IT ExrRAvAGANcE?

President Mckinley mas written
TO the inaugural committee in Wash
ington requesting that theS5O,OOO which
IL is proposed to expend for the ball on
the night of March A be devoted in
stead to needed charities. He says
while / appreciate fully the spirit that
has prompted you to project ceremon-
ial of such magnitude, allow me to say,
with the sincere hope that l will not
be misunderstood, that it is unbearable
for me to think Of such a vast amount
OF money being devoted to no more
substantial purpose than display and
pleasure when there are millions Of our
brethren throughout the world actually
suffering, starving, dying from the lack
OF food. clothing, shelter and medical
attention. / beg Of you, then, Il Your
desire is to arrange an observance OF
inauguration day that will be well
pleasure. when there are millions OF our
to the event, that you abandon your
pretentious plans for the ball, and, with |
the approval Of the citizens who have |
subscribed the money, devote $4,000 to
the organized allevlation Of wretched- |
ness in the great cities of the United
States. 1000 to provide food and shell |
ter for the prosecuted Armenians OF
Turkey and $4,000 to relieve the hor-
rors of plague and famine in India
These words do more credit to Major
McKinley's heart than they do to his
Judgment He no doubt takes the view
that many good people do that all
money expended for what he looks
upon as extravagances is lost to the
poor. This is a mistake, for the great
proportion OF the money expended for
the Inauguration ball win go into the
hands Of the poor of Washington and
vicinity What is more it will go to the
worthy poor. those who are striving to-
keep themselves from being a burden
to the communities in which they re-
side. For instance. the largest item
probably Of expenditures for this ball
will be that of cut flowers. Does the
major realize how many hands are en-
ployed in raising and handling these
delicate gifts Of the Creator to bring
them to that perfection which will be
required on the night Of the 18th Of
March?
Did Major Mckinley ever purchase a
button-hole bouquet of thinly dress
ed, half-starved child on his entrance
to the public places which he has fire.
quented? If he has, has he noticed the
light that came into the child flower
merchants eyes as she deposited with
thanks the dime which he gave
her? Does he know that the raising Of
these flowers employs hundreds and
thousands of strong men. feeble women
and children like those to whom he
gave his dime? Then was that expendi-
ture an extravaganza? Was it not
rather a help to those who were trying
to help themselves?
The suggestion OF the presiden,-eleci
that money should be given for the
worthy purposes which he named is
timely. 1t should be given, but moi
from fund which will largely go tC
support our own poor The inaugura.
tion ball is not an extravaganza wher
viewed from a practical standpoint
The few hundreds who reap a few
hours Of delight at the pageant may b.
counted possibly as extravagant. bu
the thousands whose labor is employee
to secure the magnifcenco the beaut
and the costly viands and entrancin
music which are served on the occa
sion, would be paupers were it not fo
just such extravagances as these.
Those who subscribe Of their abund
ance for entertainments OF this natur
are amply able to double their sui
scription. Then let them do so an
raise fund for the poor in our citie
the suffering Armenians and the plagu
victims Of India Thus will beth NJ.
jor Mckinley and these who deri1
profit from the inauguration ball I
satisfied, and time-honored custo
which has been coeval with the histol
Of the government. and at viii,
Washington danced on the night
his in9upurnffou Ia ,,orrof.r,+oe