Connecticut western news., 1897-11-04
UNCLE SAM'S FLOWERS.
A Pretty Custom Against Which Wash
 ington Florists Protest.

ington Florists Protest.
 One of the most pleasing features in official life in Washington is the con- stant receipt, without cost, of cut flow CTS from the government gardens Thesc 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 high CT 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 ill the botanical gardens and conservatories 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 ernment's 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 vase of fresh flowers being kept on an officials desk, but they do find fault with the propagation of flowers in hothouses and in the parks and gardens by 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- captions 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- CTS in the parks and gardens go to waste, he does not believe that any one will be compelled to purchase more flowers than he now finds it necessary to buy. The government gardens will continue to make these beautiful natural exhib- it's, and it would seem a shame to let them rot on their stems when they can give so much pleasure by being judi ciously scattered. Not only do the off cials in the departments and the legis- lators have the benefit of the govern
 
 hospitals as well are supplied from Un- cle Sam's 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 members of his cabinet should be supplied with horses and carriages. As it is now gov ernment carriages attend receptions and theaters in the evening and drive house. keepers to market in daytime for the regular supply of meat and vegetables. This is an abuse which ought to be rem- edied, but the flowers will grow and fade whether they are distributed or not. New York Press.