The times., 1897-11-12
81 s r" Route
Best line OF Sweaters In town.
II Az Ninth.
\ PROTEST FROM FLORISTS.
Object to Free Distribution From
Government Greenhouses


The florists of the District of Colur. biz
met last night and drafted letter If l.ro
test TO the 5 ecretary Of War. a petitifI.
to Congress was also drafted protesting
against the distribution and sale Of plants
or flowers raised at the expense af tue
Government. 1t is held by tire florists
that their BUSINESS is Injured by this s,-.l-
tuitous distribution Ct plants and rlowefs.
The protest To the Secretary is III part as
follows:
Washington, D. c., Nov. II 1897.
Hon. Russell a, Alger, Secretary oil War:
Sir: The undersigned citizens, tax
payers anu florists OF the District OF Co
tuiHnia, respectfully submit for your cou-
slderaJion the following statements with
view 10 putting an end "a a perniCioHs
custom, established. we believe without
any authority other than "a personal de-
sire 10 become popular by the official IN
charge; Large quantities OF chrySanthe
rnuias, roses, carnations, aZaieas, sfuiiaX,
polnSeltias, Dutch forcing bulbs, lilies,
delicate ferns and many other plants, are
allowed To take almost entire possession
OF The various Government greenhouses
for the best part OF the year, ana are
cultivated Ior ana freely distributed with
tna CompliuentSOf the commissioner of put
lie buildings and grounds, and W nich was
never the Intention or Congress wide
United states statutes at large. Forty
fIftn Congress; volume 20; page 220l, has
become q very serious luenace 10 the well
fare of a large number OF citizens " no are
engaged in The cultivation of plants and
flowers "a a method OF obtaining a Eyeli-
hood, and who have numerous people de-
pen1ing upon them for maintenance, cloth
ing ana education, and whose right 70 the
''puT suit of happiness Is being QaliY more
and more jeOpardized
That the keen Competition in this trade
that mas long existed has been sufficient
to render il difficult for them TO maintain
themselves and their families respectfully,
ard that the necessary skill, constant ut
tention, and hard LABOR, together with
heavy expenses, the destruction OF crops
By the elements, by fungouS and insect
pests the periShable nature of their prod
uctS, and lack of brisk demand should
be considered sufficient checks To their
su cceSS, without having to withstand,
through its agents, the unreasonable COM
petition OF a itch and Powerful govern
neut. That this blightinS interference
has, on many occasions, directly inteTfered
with their business To their great detriment,
can be readily established, and we submit
that few If any, citizens can withstand
such an assault.
Finally, attne suggestion OF Col. I heodOre
a. Bingna IN, who proclaimed his ina bility
to afford us relief, unless ordered TO do
so by his superior officer, we appeal 10
YOU as a matter OF right and justice 70
direct a strict use OF the funds for the
purposes named, when appropriated; that
| this degrading competition be removed so
that tins great and powerful Government
NAV extend to us the same encouragement
and protection that il accords other {. teens
engaged in legitimate pursuits, Yours very
respectfully, j Il. fhEEM AN.