The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-11-19
UNCLE SANS FLOWERS.
A Pretty Custom Against Which Wash
ington Florists Protest.

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ington Florists Protest.
One of the most pleasing features in
official life in Washington is the con-
slant receipt, without cost, Of cut flow
ers from thegovernment 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 high
er officers made beautiful with the gifts
of nature, but they are passed around
to the residences not only Of the adj
ministration, but of congressman and
even of subordinates. The understand
ing everywhere is that as the flowers
are grown i'll 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
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 lighthouses 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-
ceptions unless at the departments
where they belong,
The superintendent of public build
ings and grounds is at loss to know
how to meet the issue presented by the
local flower dealers If he let's the flow
ers in the parks and gardens go to waste,
he does not believe that any one will he
compelled to purchase more flowers
than he now finds it necessary to buy.
The government gardens Will continue
to make these beautiful natural eXhib-
its, 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
Gals in the departments and the legis-
lators have the benefit of the govern
ment's interest in horticulture but the
hospitals as well are supplied from I'm
Gle Sans nurseries.
As the government plants of the more
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
carriages attend receptions ana /
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.